Responsibilities for Management of Internal Contamination

DOE-STD-1128-98

The sequence and priority of the emergency action plan may vary with the magnitude

and type of accidental conditions and their severity. An initial early assessment of the

incident should focus, first, on treatment of life-threatening physical injuries and,

second, on the radioactive contamination involved. Minor injuries should be treated

after decontamination.

A rapid estimate of the amount of internal contamination by plutonium or other

alpha-emitters may not be possible. If a significant intake (meaning one that exceeds

10 times the ALI) is suspected, medical staff should proceed with decorporation

therapy after first treating major injuries.

5.10.3 Responsibilities for Management of Internal Contamination

Responsibilities should be assigned for action in response to an accidental internal

plutonium contamination. The affected worker has the responsibility to inform the

health physicist, RCT, or his immediate supervisor as soon as an intake is suspected.

(More broadly, all radiological workers have the responsibility to report conditions

that could lead to an intake to their immediate supervisor and/or the health physics

organization.) The health physicist or RCT should make an initial survey of the

extent of the contamination and immediately contact his supervisor and, when action

levels are exceeded, contact a member of the medical staff. He should continue to

provide monitoring and radiation safety support to the medical staff and supervisors

during the management of the contamination incident. Care should be taken to limit

the spread of radioactive contamination.

The health physicist should immediately begin to gather data on the time and extent

of the incident. Contamination survey results should be recorded. Radionuclide

identity, chemical form, and solubility classification should be determined. Nasal

smears should be obtained immediately if an intake by inhalation is suspected. When

action levels are exceeded, all urine and feces should be collected and labeled for

analysis. Decontamination should proceed with the assistance of the medical staff.

Contaminated clothing and other objects should be saved for later analysis.

5.10.4 Immediate Medical Care

The medical staff should provide immediate emergency medical care for serious

injuries to preserve the life and well-being of the affected worker. Minor injuries may

await medical treatment until after an initial radiation survey is completed and the

spread of contamination is controlled. However, the individual should be removed

from the contaminated radiation area as soon as possible. Chemical contamination

and acids should be washed immediately from the skin to prevent serious burns and

reactions.

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