Responding: Radiological Events
In the event radiation is released into the atmosphere, there are actions you can take to reduce your risk of exposure. Emergency Alert System radio or television stations will provide details on what actions are best for the given situation.
- Listen to your EAS radio or television station. It is the best source of information in any emergency. They will tell you where to go for shelter, radiation tests and when radiation in the area has decreased to an acceptable level. Whether staying where you are or at an evacuation site, stay there until told otherwise.
- Shield yourself. Put a barrier between the radiation and you. Go indoors. Depending on the amount of radiation released, a sufficient barrier can range from a glass window to a concrete wall. Close off any air conduit into the building, like air conditioning units, fans, fireplace flues and windows. Remain shielded until the fallout has decreased to an acceptable level.
- Seal the room. Cover each window and vent in the room with a piece of plastic sheeting and use duct tape to seal it around the edges so that no air can get through. This shield is only temporary; contaminated air will seep into the building after a few hours, and you will suffocate without fresh air. If you see large amounts of debris in the air, or if local authorities say the air is badly contaminated, you may want to take this kind of action.
- Leave the area. If you are in the immediate vicinity of the radiation, put as much distance between you and the release site as possible, at least several blocks. Put on clean clothing, covering as much of your body as possible.
- Leave quickly. The less time you spend exposed to radiation the better. Wash off any dust particles on your skin, take off contaminated clothes and store them in a plastic bag.
Listen carefully to local instructions and warnings; they take precedence over national warnings.
For emergencies involving the Surry or North Anna power stations, there are four different warnings:
- Notification of Unusual Event: There is a problem at the nuclear facility. No action is necessary.
- Alert: There is a problem at the nuclear facility that has the potential for a radiological release. No action is necessary.
- Site Area Emergency: A more serious problem has ocurred at the plant, and small amounts of radiation might have or could leak into the envirnoment. Area sirens might sound, and state and local officials will act to ensure public safety. Listen to your local EAS station.
- General Emergency: A very serious problem has occurred at the plant, and radiation could leak outside the plant and off the plant site. Area sirens will sound. Listen to local radio or television stations for information. State and local officials will act to ensure public safety. Be prepared to follow instructions promptly.
Taking potassium iodide
Potassium iodide, also called KI, only protects a person's thyroid gland from exposure to radioactive iodine. KI will not protect a person from other radioactive materials or protect other parts of the body from exposure to radiation. KI is most effective if taken before exposure or immediately after exposure. Since there is no way to know at the time of an incident whether radioactive iodine was present in the release, taking KI would probably not be beneficial. Also, KI can be dangerous to some people.
KI tables are available to individuals who live or work within 10 miles of a nuclear power station. Those individuals may voluntarily request and pick up single tablets from the local health district office. Contact your local health director or emergency management coordinator for distribution locations. Note that state and local officials will inform the public about the availability of KI tablets and when to take them. More information is available on the Virginia Department of Health Web site.
