Successful detonation of an improvised nuclear device (IND) would be a catastrophic event, causing an unprecedented number of injuries and lives lost, as well as economic, political, and social disruption. However, an effective medical response and an infrastructure prepared to protect itself from f...allout could save tens of thousands of lives. Since 2001, all levels of government, academic institutions, and professional organizations have done significant work to enhance our ability to prepare for and respond to a nuclear detonation. The following manual is intended to simplify and translate the necessary protective actions and medical response modalities in order to make them more accessible and easier to translate into practice. The approach of this manual is to provide a common baseline application for various allied response disciplines (to include senior operational responders, emergency managers, public health advisors, and municipal, State, and Federal executives and elected officials). This manual will enhance mutual understanding of the basics of nuclear response.
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In this paper, we review the most significant health and environmental facts and explain why — from a medical perspective — a proper understanding of what nuclear weapons will do invalidates all arguments for continued possession of these weapons and requires that they urgently be pro...hibited and eliminated as the only course of action commensurate with the existential danger they pose.
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Detonation of a nuclear weapon or activation of a radiological dispersal device could cause radioactively contaminated decedents. These guidelines are designed to address both of these scenarios. They could also be applicable in other instances where decedents’ bodies are contaminated with radioa...ctive material (e.g. reactor accidents, transportation accidents involving radioactive material, or
the discharge of a decedent from a hospital after injection or implantation of a radiopharmaceutical). These guidelines suggest ways for medical examiners, coroners, and morticians to deal with loose surface contamination, internal contamination, or shrapnel on or in decedents’ bodies.
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The purpose of this guidance is to provide emergency planners with nuclear detonationspecific
response recommendations to maximize the preservation of life in the event of
an urban nuclear detonation. This guidance addresses the unique effects and impacts of a
nuclear detonation such as scale of ...destruction, shelter and evacuation strategies,
unparalleled medical demands, management of nuclear casualties, and radiation dose
management concepts.
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"The aim of this book remains as for the first edition, namely to provide an initial point of ready
reference for the identification of hazards and precautions for dangerous chemicals. It is targeted
not only at those in the chemical and process industries, but also anyone likely to work with
che...micals within industry and in the service sector, e.g. hospitals, universities, research laboratories,
engineering, agriculture, etc. "
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This guide is intended to assist
state, local, and tribal public health
professionals in the initiation of
response activities during the
first 24 hours of an emergency
or disaster. It should be used in
conjunction with existin...g emergency
operations plans, procedures,
guidelines, resources, assets, and
incident management systems. It
is not a substitute for public health
emergency preparedness and
planning activities. The response to
any emergency or disaster must be
a coordinated community effort.
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The potential for terrorist use of chemical agents is a noted concern highlighted by the Tokyo sarin gas attacks of 1995. The events of September 11, 2001, increased congressional attention towards reducing the vulnerability of the United States to such unconventional attacks. The
possibility that... terrorist groups might obtain insecure chemical weapons led to increased scrutiny of declared Libyan chemical weapon stockpiles following the fall of the Qadhafi regime. Experts have expressed similar concerns regarding the security and use of Syrian chemical weapons,
reportedly including stocks of nerve (sarin, VX) and blister (mustard gas) agents.
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"The Emergency Response Guidelines for Anhydrous Hydrogen Fluoride (Guidelines) were prepared
by the American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) Hydrogen Fluoride Panel (Panel). This document is
intended to provide general information to persons addressing an emergency response in the course
of handling... and transporting anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (AHF)."
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"This Code provides practical guidance on how to manage health and safety risks associated with hazardous
chemicals for persons conducting a business or undertaking who use chemicals in their workplace."
A guidebook intended for use by first responders
during the initial phase of a transportation incident
involving dangerous goods/hazardous materials
"The handbook is intended for use by the first responders
of the emergency services from the moment they
receive an alarm up to the first 30 minutes on scene at
an incident.
The handbook is envisaged to function as a checklist
and decision-support for personnel with existing knowledge
of emerg...ency response operations. "
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"This document has been developed for outpatient oncology
facilities to serve as a model for a basic infection
control and prevention plan. It contains policies
and procedures tailored to these settings to meet minimal
expectations of patient protections as described
in the CDC Guide to Infecti...on Prevention in Outpatient
Settings."
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"National Disaster Management Guidelines: Management
of Chemical (Terrorism) Disasters (are intended to
focus on all aspects of the disaster management
cycle, including prevention measures such as
surveillance and intelligence, mitigation of direct
and indirect risks, preparedness in terms of
...capacity development of human resources and
infrastructure development, as well as relief,
rehabilitation and reconstruction/recovery."
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The roundtable provided a forum that allowed communicators across a number of Federal agencies to share information, strategies, and challenges in developing and providing communication messages and materials to the public in preparation for, and in response to, a radiation... emergency. Throughout the discussion , several “big picture” qestions were brought up that may be addressed in future interagency efforts.
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Exposure draft for comment October 2013
Basic Expectations for Safe Care
States, the United Nations and civil society organisations continue to raise concerns about the humanitarian impact caused by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas (EWIPA). This issue is currently being examined from political, legal, socio-economic and humanitarian perspectives. The GICHD... has undertaken research to provide a technical perspective on the destructive effects of selected explosive weapons to inform the international debate.
The research project attempts to reduce an observed knowledge gap regarding EWIPA. It seeks to provide clarity concerning the immediate physical effects and terminology used when discussing explosive weapons. The project is guided by a group of experts dealing with weapons-related research and practitioners who address the implications of explosive weapons in humanitarian, policy, advocacy and legal fields.
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Specific Objectives
• To increase the knowledge and awareness of personnel on chemical management.
• To educate the personnel on the potential adverse health effects of chemical exposure.
• To educate the personnel on the existing laws pertaining to handling of hazardous
chemicals.
• To... promote safe and healthy work practices among personnel during chemical handling.
• To guide the personnel on transportation, storage and disposal of hazardous chemicals.
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On January 14-16, 2003, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) held a communications roundtable in Atlanta, Georgia, to explore hospitals' challenges in communicating with internal and external audiences in communitywide emergencies involving radioactive materials. The roundtable, Hosp...ital Communications in a Mass Casualty Radiological Incident, is part of CDC's effort to help prepare the nation's public health community for threats of terrorism.
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