2005 Tampa APS Meeting Howard Matis - [email protected] 1 A Radiation Homeland Security Workshop Presented to the City of Berkeley Fire Department Howard

2005 Tampa APS Meeting2005 Tampa APS Meeting Howard Matis - [email protected] Matis - [email protected] 11

A Radiation Homeland Security Workshop Presented to the City of Berkeley Fire

Department

Howard MatisHoward Matis

Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryLawrence Berkeley National Laboratory


Outline of this TalkOutline of this Talk

Possible Radiation Incidents in our neighborhoodPossible Radiation Incidents in our neighborhood Post 9/11 DoE Charge to the Physics CommunityPost 9/11 DoE Charge to the Physics Community How Berkeley Lab volunteered to teach a courseHow Berkeley Lab volunteered to teach a course Process to create a classProcess to create a class ChallengesChallenges Course DescriptionCourse Description Reaction to CourseReaction to Course Future DirectionsFuture Directions


Radiation Incidents in our Radiation Incidents in our communitycommunity

Vehicle Accident carrying radioactive material Vehicle Accident carrying radioactive material 241241Am - smoke detectorAm - smoke detector 131131I, 99m 99mTcTc, 60 60Co - destroys cancer cellsCo - destroys cancer cells 169169Yb, Yb, 6060Co, Co, 192192Ir - used to measure metal Ir - used to measure metal

thicknessthickness Fire in hospital where radioisotopes stored, Fire in hospital where radioisotopes stored,

medical accelerator, or construction sitemedical accelerator, or construction site Radioactive material is commonly usedRadioactive material is commonly used

Dirty Bomb - designed to scare and promote panicDirty Bomb - designed to scare and promote panic Attack on nuclear facilityAttack on nuclear facility Nuclear weaponNuclear weapon

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.



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A Probable Scene for a First A Probable Scene for a First ResponderResponder

Actual collision of truck Actual collision of truck handling medical isotopes handling medical isotopes and radioactive waste and and radioactive waste and delivery truckdelivery truck Is it safe to rescue drivers?Is it safe to rescue drivers? Should area be evacuated?Should area be evacuated? Sensitivity of the public to the Sensitivity of the public to the

word “nuclear”word “nuclear” Knowledge needed to prevent Knowledge needed to prevent

panicpanic


Unlikely but Possible Release of Unlikely but Possible Release of Nuclear MaterialNuclear Material

Dirty bomb or nuclear Dirty bomb or nuclear explosionexplosion

Need to identify the Need to identify the problemproblem

Make quick decisionsMake quick decisions What should public do What should public do

if exposed to 10 mR/hr?if exposed to 10 mR/hr?

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Dirty Bomb Released in San Dirty Bomb Released in San Francisco will affect BerkeleyFrancisco will affect Berkeley




Summons to the Physics Community for HelpSummons to the Physics Community for Help

Post 9/11 DoE request Post 9/11 DoE request for help from the for help from the Nuclear CommunityNuclear Community

Two day workshop Two day workshop betweenbetween UniversitiesUniversities National LaboratoriesNational Laboratories Government - NNSA, Government - NNSA,

CIA, DOE, NIST, TSA CIA, DOE, NIST, TSA and othersand others


Education and Outreach Education and Outreach RecommendationsRecommendations

““Many federal, state and local agencies are newly faced with Many federal, state and local agencies are newly faced with the need to access and address threats or events. Many have the need to access and address threats or events. Many have few resources and little training…The expertise of the research few resources and little training…The expertise of the research community could be very useful in advising and training local community could be very useful in advising and training local agencies such as police forces or fire departments on the agencies such as police forces or fire departments on the principles of nuclear physics and the use of radiation principles of nuclear physics and the use of radiation detectors.”detectors.”

““Creation of informational materials suitable for a nuclear Creation of informational materials suitable for a nuclear scientist to give a short course or briefing, perhaps only one scientist to give a short course or briefing, perhaps only one hour, to concerned but nontechnical responders or local hour, to concerned but nontechnical responders or local authorities on the principles of nuclear physics and radiation authorities on the principles of nuclear physics and radiation detection.”detection.”


Berkeley Lab Offers to HelpBerkeley Lab Offers to Help A little persistence needed. Our A little persistence needed. Our

Division Director emeritus – Lee Division Director emeritus – Lee SchroederSchroeder contacted Fire Chief contacted Fire Chief City Council member - former City Council member - former

Nuclear Science Deputy Nuclear Science Deputy Division DirectorDivision Director

Eventually found interested peopleEventually found interested people After several meetings at City Hall, After several meetings at City Hall,

decided on logistics for the coursedecided on logistics for the course Two half days sessions for full Two half days sessions for full

coursecourse Taught to four different crews Taught to four different crews

of about 20 people eachof about 20 people each




City of Berkeley, CaliforniaCity of Berkeley, California Population 102,743Population 102,743 I-80, major interstate, goes I-80, major interstate, goes

throughthrough Two hospitalsTwo hospitals Few miles from San Few miles from San

Francisco (pop. 750,000)Francisco (pop. 750,000) Next to Oakland (pop. Next to Oakland (pop.

400,000)400,000) Adjacent to San Francisco Adjacent to San Francisco

BayBay Many possibilities for Many possibilities for

nuclear dispersalnuclear dispersal






Berkeley Fire DepartmentBerkeley Fire Department

137.5 members (125 sworn)137.5 members (125 sworn) 7 fire stations7 fire stations 7 engines7 engines

Staffed with 3 firefightersStaffed with 3 firefighters 3 trucks3 trucks

Staffed with 3 firefightersStaffed with 3 firefighters 3 ambulances3 ambulances

Staffed with 2 paramedicsStaffed with 2 paramedics 35 calls a day or one call 35 calls a day or one call

every 41 minutesevery 41 minutes


are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this picture.


Choose Interdisciplinary TeamChoose Interdisciplinary Team Organize diverse group of scientistsOrganize diverse group of scientists

Nuclear ScientistsNuclear Scientists Lee SchroederLee Schroeder Peggy McMahanPeggy McMahan Rick NormanRick Norman HMHM

Radiation BiologistsRadiation Biologists Eleanor BlakelyEleanor Blakely Amy Kronenberg

Health PhysicistsHealth Physicists Robert FairchildRobert Fairchild Gary ZemanGary Zeman

Use existing materialUse existing material Slides from First Responder course by Con BeausangSlides from First Responder course by Con Beausang Material from our “ABC’s of Nuclear Science”Material from our “ABC’s of Nuclear Science” Demonstrations that we have used over the last 10 yearsDemonstrations that we have used over the last 10 years Material to teach about radiation at Berkeley LabMaterial to teach about radiation at Berkeley Lab


LogisticsLogistics Teach all fire fighters and paramedicsTeach all fire fighters and paramedics But fire fighters work 24 hours and fire stations need to be But fire fighters work 24 hours and fire stations need to be

manned all the timemanned all the time Course must be given in fire fighters time constraintsCourse must be given in fire fighters time constraints Split course into two half day blocksSplit course into two half day blocks Four sessions to teach full staffFour sessions to teach full staff Teach each part twice a day - full day instructor commitmentTeach each part twice a day - full day instructor commitment Total class time of 4 daysTotal class time of 4 days Large effort needed from instructorsLarge effort needed from instructors

8 people days of class time required8 people days of class time required More than a semester's class contact time!More than a semester's class contact time!


CurriculumCurriculum First half dayFirst half day

Basics of radiationBasics of radiation Principles of radiation Principles of radiation

detectiondetection Second half day (separated Second half day (separated

by a month)by a month) Health effectsHealth effects Emergency responseEmergency response Scenarios involving Scenarios involving

respondersresponders


Basic Properties of RadiatonBasic Properties of Radiaton

Little nuclear physicsLittle nuclear physics Basics of radioactivityBasics of radioactivity Types of radioactivityTypes of radioactivity Shielding for different typesShielding for different types Concept of half-lifeConcept of half-life Natural radiationNatural radiation Risk of exposureRisk of exposure ALARA (with hands on ALARA (with hands on

experience)experience) Radiation DetectorsRadiation Detectors






Biological PathwaysBiological Pathways

Radiation unitsRadiation units How radiation affects How radiation affects

peoplepeople Effects of high and low Effects of high and low

dosedose Exposure to care giversExposure to care givers Exposure guidelinesExposure guidelines Help in emergenciesHelp in emergencies






Radiation in the Berkeley Radiation in the Berkeley EnvironmentEnvironment

How you might find radiationHow you might find radiation Natural radiation sources found Natural radiation sources found

locallylocally Medical and industrial sourcesMedical and industrial sources Case studies of radiation Case studies of radiation

accidentsaccidents Dirty bombDirty bomb Emergency actionEmergency action Survey theorySurvey theory Meter operationMeter operation Dosimetry devicesDosimetry devices Emergency ResponseEmergency Response




Hands-on MaterialHands-on Material Basics of radiationBasics of radiation

Sources, AbsorbersSources, Absorbers Teach shielding, difference between Teach shielding, difference between

, , , , radiation radiation Half Life of an isotope - Half Life of an isotope - 137137CsCs

Generates Generates 137137Ba-m - tBa-m - t1/21/2 = 2.5 min = 2.5 min Use ion exchange counterUse ion exchange counter Detect 662 keV Detect 662 keV with Geiger with Geiger

Distance lawDistance law Important for ALARAImportant for ALARA

The energy spectra of gamma emittersThe energy spectra of gamma emitters How to identify different isotopesHow to identify different isotopes

Use of common metersUse of common meters Detect unknown radioactivity with a mat.Detect unknown radioactivity with a mat.


Unique ProblemsUnique Problems

Diverse education Diverse education background - master background - master degrees to people who never degrees to people who never studied physicsstudied physics

Large dynamic range in Large dynamic range in interest in basic scienceinterest in basic science

Students suddenly leaving Students suddenly leaving to fight a fireto fight a fire

One class had to be One class had to be rescheduled when first rescheduled when first responders called to actionresponders called to action




What They LearnedWhat They Learned Basic nuclear informationBasic nuclear information Misconceptions on what instruments Misconceptions on what instruments

are capable are capable For instance many detectors are For instance many detectors are

inappropriately advertised as inappropriately advertised as alpha detectorsalpha detectors

Gear is often overkillGear is often overkill Had radiation equipment, did not Had radiation equipment, did not

understand what radiation was or understand what radiation was or really how to use equipmentreally how to use equipment

Practical experiencePractical experience Learned how to use metersLearned how to use meters

Given wallet cardsGiven wallet cards Inform that there is a hotline for helpInform that there is a hotline for help




Questions that we need to answer Questions that we need to answer betterbetter

Explain risk of low level radiationExplain risk of low level radiation Linear hypothesisLinear hypothesis

Radiation is invisible. How can I trust my Radiation is invisible. How can I trust my meter to tell if it is safe?meter to tell if it is safe?

First responders have the option to refuse First responders have the option to refuse to make a rescue above a specific reading.to make a rescue above a specific reading.

How do I decide to rescue in a few How do I decide to rescue in a few seconds?seconds?

If I go in, will I be able to have any If I go in, will I be able to have any more kids?more kids?

Explain if there will be long term Explain if there will be long term effectseffects

Need simple way to decide to go inNeed simple way to decide to go in Sometimes a simple movement of Sometimes a simple movement of

person is all that is necessaryperson is all that is necessary These need much time and discussion to These need much time and discussion to

address these issuesaddress these issues




What We LearnedWhat We Learned

First responders are just like First responders are just like usus

Open to convincing Open to convincing scientific explanationsscientific explanations

Eager to learn what they do Eager to learn what they do not knownot know

They need to be informedThey need to be informed Dedicated public servantsDedicated public servants Wonderful for us to interact Wonderful for us to interact

with another segment of our with another segment of our community community


How I would do it againHow I would do it again Consult with first responders Consult with first responders

when developing material when developing material Remove material that is too Remove material that is too

abstractabstract Text needs consistent unitsText needs consistent units

Problem that meters have Problem that meters have many different unitsmany different units

Review should be includedReview should be included Get feedbackGet feedback Police should also be trainedPolice should also be trained

Need this information for Need this information for crowd controlcrowd control

Course could be abbreviatedCourse could be abbreviated


Continuing Community Continuing Community RelationsRelations

Berkeley Lab calibrates Berkeley Lab calibrates City of Berkeley City of Berkeley radiation metersradiation meters

Local hospital (Alta Local hospital (Alta Bates) will treat any Lab Bates) will treat any Lab employee if radiation employee if radiation accidentaccident

Berkeley Lab EH&S Berkeley Lab EH&S staff are on call for any staff are on call for any radiation incident in radiation incident in Berkeley or OaklandBerkeley or Oakland




Follow-up ActivitiesFollow-up Activities Seminar on post-disaster actions – Seminar on post-disaster actions –

December 2003December 2003 City of BerkeleyCity of Berkeley U CaliforniaU California PG&E (gas and electric PG&E (gas and electric

utility)utility) Caltrans (state transportation)Caltrans (state transportation) BART (light rail)BART (light rail)

Radiological dispersal drill with Radiological dispersal drill with City of Berkeley– June 2004City of Berkeley– June 2004

““Dirty Bomb” drill with Alta Dirty Bomb” drill with Alta Bates Hospital - September 2004Bates Hospital - September 2004




SummarySummary Probability of a nuclear release is not zero and Probability of a nuclear release is not zero and isis possible possible First responder training badly needed First responder training badly needed Must have hands-on demonstrationMust have hands-on demonstration Having health physicists involved is essentialHaving health physicists involved is essential Our attempt was good but improvement neededOur attempt was good but improvement needed Need to get defined curriculum with feedback from first respondersNeed to get defined curriculum with feedback from first responders We’re scientists - why don’t we teach scientifically?We’re scientists - why don’t we teach scientifically? Material needs to available nationallyMaterial needs to available nationally RetrainingRetraining Important for the nuclear community to help in this effortImportant for the nuclear community to help in this effort Builds good community relationsBuilds good community relations This effort makes our country strongerThis effort makes our country stronger

Documents

2005 Tampa APS Meeting Howard Matis - [email protected] 1 A Radiation Homeland Security Workshop Presented to the City of Berkeley Fire Department Howard