6.6 Radiological emergencies

Policies and actions (22, 24, 26)

1.

Guidance:

Develop or update national policies and plans for prevention, preparedness, monitoring, response and recovery after radiation emergencies.

Sector principally involved in planning/ implementation:

National competent authority (NCA) with the mandate pertaining to nuclear safety and/or radiation protection, environment, emergencies, health, law enforcement, civil defence

Level of implementation:

National

Instruments:

Regulation

ICHI code:

UBR.TB.ZZ&UBG

Planning for radiation

Human-caused events, not elsewhere specified

2.

Guidance:

Incorporate international agreements into national laws.
Selected international agreements include the following.

· IHR (2005) – a legally binding agreement providing a framework to better prevent, prepare for and respond to public health events and emergencies of potential international concern (26).

· Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident (27).

· Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency (27).

Sector principally involved in planning/ implementation:

Environment

Level of implementation:

National

Instruments:

Regulation

ICHI code:

UBR.WI.ZZ&UBG

Restrictions through laws or standards concerning radiation

Human-caused events, not elsewhere specified

Core capacities required under IHR (2005)(26, 29)

3.

Guidance:

Establish designated focal points for IHR (2005) in all authorities that have an important role in the management of chemical events, for coordination and communication.

· Establish a multisectoral national radiation emergency coordinating body.

· Ensure adequate capacity for health-sector preparedness for prompt and adequate response to radiation emergencies.

Sector principally involved in planning/ implementation:

Health; NCA, environment

Level of implementation:

National

Instruments:

Governance

ICHI code:

UBR.VA.ZZ&UBG

Capacity building in relation to radiation

Human-caused events, not elsewhere specified

4.

Guidance:

Implement a radiation monitoring system for the detection, verification and exposure assessment of environmental radiation, as part of a multi-hazard surveillance strategy and

accompanied by specific criteria for activating emergency response.
Important sources of radiological and nuclear emergency notification and alert include:

· non-health sector actors using ionizing radiation, such as industry, agriculture, academia and nuclear installations operators;

· first responders and the public;

· hospital emergency departments;

· primary health care facilities.

Sector principally involved in planning/ implementation:

Environment, NCA,
Health, civil defence, emergency and disaster management sector

Level of implementation:

National

Instruments:

Assessment and surveillance

ICHI code:

UBR.VC.ZZ&UBG

Public health surveillance of radiation

Human-caused events, not elsewhere specified

5.

Guidance:

Develop national emergency response plans that consider the country’s risk profile and address possible event scenarios and the needs of vulnerable populations.

Sector principally involved in planning/ implementation:

NCA,
environment, health

Level of implementation:

National

Instruments:

Other action

ICHI code:

UBR.TB.ZZ&UBG

Planning for radiation

Human-caused events, not elsewhere specified

6.

Guidance:

Ensure access to expertise, that is, maintain an updated list and roster of experts and specialized centres for:

· environmental monitoring

· exposure modelling

· radiation dose and risk assessment

· bio-dosimetry (30)

· diagnosis and treatment of radiation injuries (31)

· radiation emergency stockpile agents (32)

· health surveillance

· mental health and psychosocial support.

Sector principally involved in planning/ implementation:

Environment, health,
NCA

Level of implementation:

National

Instruments:

Information, education and communication, other action

ICHI code:

UBR.TD.ZZ&UBG
Collaboration about radiation

Human-caused events, not elsewhere specified