The Radiological Accident in Samut Prakarn


Book Description

In late January and February 2000 a radiological accident occurred in Samut Prakarn, Thailand, when a disused Co-60 teletherapy head was partially dismantled, taken from an unsecured storage location and sold as scrap metal. This report gives an account of the circumstances which led to the accident, the medical aspects and the lessons learned.




The Radiological Accident in Istanbul


Book Description

A serious radiological accident occurred in Istanbul, Turkey, in December 1998 and January 1999 when two packages used to transport 60Co teletherapy sources were sold as scrap metal. This report gives an account of the circumstances which led to the accident and the medical aspects, and the lessons learned.




The Radiological Accident in San Salvador


Book Description

On 5 February 1989, a radiological accident occurred at an industrial irradiation facility near San Salvador, El Salvador. Medical products are sterilized at the facility by irradiation by means of an intensely radioactive cobalt-60 source in a movable source rack. This source rack became stuck in the irradiation position. The operator bypassed the irradiator's degraded safety systems and entered the radiation room with two other workers to free the source rack manually. The three men were exposed to high radiation doses and developed the acute radiation syndrome. They received initial hospital treatment in San Salvador and subsequent, more specialized treatment in Mexico City. The legs and feet of two men were so seriously injured that amputation was required. The worker who had been most exposed died six and a half months after the accident from lung damage due to irradiation complicated by injury sustained during treatment. The report describes the accident and the response to it and presents lessons derived for operators and suppliers of irradiators, national authorities, medical staff and international organizations. Detailed information on dosimetric and medical aspects of the accident is presented in appendices and annexes.




The Radiological Accident in Yanango


Book Description

In February 1999 a serious radiological accident occurred in Yanango, Peru, when a welder picked up an 192Ir industrial radiography source and put it in his pocket for several hours. This action resulted in his receiving a high radiation dose that necessitated the amputation of one leg. His wife and children were also exposed, but to a much less extent. The purpose of this report is to provide an account of the circumstances of the accident and its medical aspects.




Method for Developing Arrangements for Response to a Nuclear Or Radiological Emergency


Book Description

This publication provides a practical resource for emergency planning, and fulfils, in part, functions assigned to the IAEA in the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency. If used effectively, it will help users to develop a capability to adequately respond to a nuclear or radiological emergency.




The Radiological Accident in Soreq


Book Description

On 21 June 1990 a fatal radiological accident occurred at an industrial irradiation facility at Soreq, Israel. An operator entered the irradiation room by circumventing safety systems and was acutely exposed, with an estimated whole body dose of 10-20 Gy. The accident, like earlier accidents at similar irradiators, was the consequence of the contravention of operating procedures. An IAEA review team investigated the causes of the accident. This report presents its findings and recommendations and describes the clinical management of the patient, particularly of the haematological phase. The medical treatment included the use of emerging therapies with haematopoietic growth factor drugs which may rescue the overexposed patient, albeit in this case only temporarily. The report is intended for regulatory authorities responsible for the regulation and inspection of irradiators, operating organizations and physicians who may need to treat overexposed patients.




The Medical Basis for Radiation-Accident Preparedness


Book Description

Major radiation accidents cause widespread and common psychosocial problems independent of cultural, ethnic, political, and socioeconomic aspects of the location of the accident. As a doctor, nurse, or emergency room staff you are the first line of defense when these accidents happen. New developments over the past several years enable physicians to enhance survival and ease the discomfort of patients injured by radiation. The Medical Basis for Radiation-Accident Preparedness: The Clinical Care of Victims presents the current state-of-the-art in radiation medicine and focuses on the practical issues of importance to the clinicians and nurses who have responsibility for diagnosing, treating, and caring for the radiation-accident patient. Topics range from dose assessment to socioeconomic considerations, with extensive analyses of treatment options for exposure to different parts of the body. As a special feature, the work supplies case histories of six recent significant radiological accidents and also includes bibliographic references and index. You don't know when you may be involved in treating radiation-accident patients. In today's uncertain world, it could happen at any time. Drawing on the expertise of a wide variety of contributors, both within and outside of the field of radiation management, The Medical Basis for Radiation-Accident Preparedness: The Clinical Care of Victims provides further insight into the complex care and teamwork needed in the management of the acutely injured patient.




The Radiological Accident in Lilo


Book Description

The radiological accident described in this report took place in Lilo, Georgia, when sealed radiation sources were abandoned by a previous owner at a site without following established regulatory safety procedures. As a consequence, 11 individuals at the site were exposed for a long period of time to high doses of radiation which resulted inter alia in severe radiation induced skin injuries. The present report, which is co-sponsored by the World Health Organization, provides information on the medical management of radiation induced skin injuries as well as a comprehensive report on the circumstances and details of the accident and the lessons to be learned.







The Radiological Accident in Cochabamba


Book Description

In April 2002 an accident involving an industrial radiography source containing Ir-192 occurred in Cochabamba, Bolivia, some 500 km from the capital, La Paz. The source, in a remote exposure container, remained exposed within a guide tube, although this was not known at the time. The container, the guide tube and other equipment were transported from Cochabamba to La Paz as cargo on a passenger bus. This bus had a full load of passengers for most of the eight hour journey. The equipment was subsequently collected by employees of the company concerned and transferred by taxi to the company's shielded facility. This publication gives an account of the event, the doses received and the medical assessment. It also presents information relevant to national authorities and regulatory organizations, emergency planners and a broad range of specialists, including physicists, radiation protection officers and medical specialists. It is hoped that dissemination of the information contained in the report will help reduce the likelihood of similar accidents occurring or, if they do occur, help mitigate their consequences