Skip Navigation Bar. Key Information:. Key Information: In a radiation emergency, the choice of appropriate personal protective equipment PPE depends on Response role and specific tasks Risk of contamination PPE can protect against 1 External contamination Internal contamination via inhalation, ingestion, absorption through open wounds Other physical hazards e.
Lead aprons worn in diagnostic radiology do not provide sufficient shielding against these kinds of radiation. See Types of Ionizing Radiation and Shielding Required PPE should include a personal radiation dosimeter whenever there is concern about exposure to penetrating ionizing radiation.
Direct-reading personal radiation dosimeters may be used to monitor radiation dose and can help workers stay within recommended Dose Limits for Emergency Workers. Other respiratory protective equipment e. Environmental testing and hazard assessment by a safety professional can help identify hazards and risk levels and direct choices of permissible PPE.
Before combined hazard s are well characterized: first responders should be instructed to wear PPE ensembles that protect against anticipated potentially multiple hazards 15 After combined hazards are confirmed: first responders should be instructed to wear PPE ensembles that protect against identified hazards Radiation only event with high risk of contamination and non-radiation hazards have been excluded : e. Level C PPE usually provides sufficient respiratory and dermal protection Radiation only event with high risk of exposure and non-radiation hazards have been excluded : e.
PPE confers no protection against high energy, highly penetrating forms of ionizing radiation Factors that help decrease radiation dose from exposure Minimizing time spent near a radiation source Maximizing distance from a radiation source Increasing the physical shielding between a person and a radiation source. Before incident hazard s are well characterized : first receivers should be instructed to wear PPE ensembles that protect against anticipated hazards 15 First receivers may need to wear a higher level of PPE than they are accustomed to wearing until hazard characterization is complete After combined hazards are confirmed : first receivers should be instructed to wear PPE ensembles that protect against identified hazards Higher level PPE ensembles are generally not available in most hospitals First receivers delivering care to victims more likely to be externally contaminated : i.
