The energy radiates (i.e., travels outward in straight lines in all directions) from its source.
This geometry naturally leads to a system of measurements and physical units that are equally applicable to all types of radiation.
Both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation can be harmful to organisms and can result in changes to the natural environment.
Radiation can cause the following:
Multiple medical problems
Contaminated soil and water
If released by an explosion, it can also cause:
Falling injuries from shaking
Eye injuries from bright flash of light
Crushing injuries from collapse
Electrocution from exposed power lines
Burns from debris fires
May also cause:
Societal breakdowns, power outage, transportation issues, looting, and riots
After a radioactive event you will be faced with the rule of 3's basic survival skills
Protect yourself
During blast
Look away, close eyes and open mouth to equalize pressure on your eardrums.
After blast
If exposed, wash you body
Use a monitoring kit to measure radiation
Cover nose and mouth
Prepare for disruption of services
Shelter in place, cover windows and doors
Take potassium iodide (KI) if release evolves radioactive iodine.
Relocate if it is safe to do so
Arm yourself
The notion of terrorist organizations using nuclear weapons (especially very small ones, such as suitcase nukes) has been a threat in American rhetoric and culture. It is plausible that terrorists could acquire a nuclear weapon.In physics, radiation is a process in which energetic particles or energy or waves travel through a medium or space. There are two distinct types of radiation; ionizing and non-ionizing.
The term dirty bomb refers to a speculative radiological weapon which combines radioactive material with conventional explosives. Though a radiological dispersal device (RDD) would be designed to disperse radioactive material over a large area, a bomb that uses conventional explosives would likely have more immediate lethal effect than the radioactive material. At levels created from most probable sources, not enough radiation would be present to cause severe illness or death. A test explosion and subsequent calculations done by the United States Department of Energy found that assuming nothing is done to clean up the affected area and everyone stays in the affected area for one year, the radiation exposure would be "fairly high", but not fatal. Recent analysis of the Chernobyl disaster fallout confirms this, showing that the effect on many people in the surrounding area, although not those in close proximity, was almost negligible.
Since a dirty bomb is unlikely to cause many deaths, many do not consider this to be a weapon of mass destruction. Its purpose would presumably be to create psychological, not physical, harm through ignorance, mass panic, and terror. For this reason dirty bombs are sometimes called "weapons of mass disruption".
Radiation Emergencies
CDC has a key role in protecting the public's health in an emergency involving the release of radiation that could harm people's health. This site provides information to help people protect themselves during and after such an event. It also provides information for professionals involved in planning for and responding to this type of emergency.
Your Health and Safety
Protecting Yourself and Your Family
Health Effects and Treatments
Radiation and Pregnancy
Types of Radiation Emergencies
