-------------------- --------------------------------------------------
  Animals in Disasters 

  MODULE A\            Technological Hazards:\
  UNIT 6               Applying the Four Phases
  -------------------- --------------------------------------------------

+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| # Ov             | This unit deals with technological hazards        |
| erview {#overvie | including hazardous materials spills and          |
| w .Animals-head} | radiation hazards. It defines each of these       |
|                  | hazards and provides practical information for    |
|                  | applying the four phases of emergency management  |
|                  | in relation to these hazards. It focuses on       |
|                  | protecting animals during such emergencies.       |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| # Object         | Upon completion of this unit, you should be able  |
| ives {#objective | to:                                               |
| s .Animals-head} |                                                   |
|                  | -   Define technological hazards that threaten    |
|                  |     the United States                             |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   Protect yourself against technological        |
|                  |     hazards                                       |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   Protect animals against technological hazards |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   Apply the four phases of emergency management |
|                  |     to technological hazards                      |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| # Hazardou       | Hazardous materials can be released by accident   |
| s materials {#ha | or in disasters. They are dangerous to persons    |
| zardous-material | and animals that are exposed and may contaminate  |
| s .Animals-head} | the environment and the human food supply.        |
|                  | Animals exposed to hazardous materials are a      |
| #  {#sectio      | potential threat to humans.                       |
| n .Animals-head} |                                                   |
|                  | Many farmers are familiar with the appropriate    |
|                  | methods for handling commonly used hazardous      |
|                  | materials, such as herbicides, pesticides, and    |
|                  | fertilizers. The general public needs a better    |
|                  | understanding of what hazardous materials are and |
|                  | how to deal with them.                            |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | Hazardous chemicals should be dealt with by       |
|                  | qualified persons. Depending on the scale of the  |
|                  | chemical release, local, State, or Federal        |
|                  | offices may become involved in the security and   |
|                  | clean-up operations. Often these groups are       |
|                  | assisted by industry.                             |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+

+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| # Mitiga         | Hazardous materials are common in many households |
| tion {#mitigatio | and animal-care facilities. Compounds such as     |
| n .Animals-head} | detergents, cleaning materials, herbicides, and   |
|                  | pesticides are potentially dangerous if persons   |
|                  | or animals are exposed through incorrect handling |
|                  | or spillage. The following steps will help        |
|                  | mitigate a hazardous materials incident.          |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   Hazardous chemicals should be stored in safe  |
|                  |     places where children and animals cannot be   |
|                  |     exposed.                                      |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   Storage areas must guard against freezing and |
|                  |     overheating of hazardous materials. They      |
|                  |     should also have separate locks.              |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   Chemicals should be stored on the floor or    |
|                  |     lower shelves to prevent falling and          |
|                  |     spilling. Lips are recommended for all        |
|                  |     shelving upon which hazardous materials are   |
|                  |     stored.                                       |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| # Preparedne     | You should identify potential hazards in your     |
| ss {#preparednes | immediate environment and learn about proper      |
| s .Animals-head} | storage. You should also know what clinical signs |
|                  | these toxins may cause if a person or an animal   |
|                  | has been exposed. If you suspect your animal has  |
|                  | been exposed, always consult a veterinarian.      |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | You can find out about hazards through            |
|                  | legislation called the "Right to Know Act." Your  |
|                  | local fire department or emergency management     |
|                  | agency can provide you with information on        |
|                  | hazardous chemicals in your community.            |
|                  | Individuals and animal facilities should have a   |
|                  | plan for dealing with hazardous materials on      |
|                  | their property.                                   |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | FEMA may provide resource information and         |
|                  | technical and financial assistance to States for  |
|                  | developing emergency plans for hazardous          |
|                  | materials accidents and other types of            |
|                  | emergencies and assist State and local            |
|                  | governments in hazardous materials training.      |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also    |
|                  | conducts technical and environmental training     |
|                  | programs related to hazardous materials, and      |
|                  | chairs the 14-agency National Response Team       |
|                  | (NRT). At the request of community officials, the |
|                  | EPA can provide technical expertise on the full   |
|                  | range of environmental contamination issues.      |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| # Re             | Unlike many other emergencies in which volunteer  |
| sponse {#respons | help is welcome, in a hazardous materials         |
| e .Animals-head} | emergency there is little that untrained members  |
|                  | of the public can do. Any information you wish to |
|                  | offer should be given by telephone from a safe    |
|                  | distance. Observe all posted exclusion zones and  |
|                  | listen for public announcements on the radio or   |
|                  | other local information system.                   |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | If a hazardous materials accident occurs during   |
|                  | the daytime, animal owners may be at work. The    |
|                  | area will be secured and owners should realize    |
|                  | that they may not be allowed into the secured     |
|                  | areas to retrieve or care for their animals.      |
|                  | Emergency services personnel will notify you as   |
|                  | to what steps to take. If you are at home during  |
|                  | a hazardous materials emergency, it is especially |
|                  | important to bring your animal(s) with you if     |
|                  | asked to evacuate, since you may be away for a    |
|                  | lengthy period. Alternately, you may be asked to  |
|                  | shelter in place. Sheltering in place is required |
|                  | when it would be more harmful for you to evacuate |
|                  | your location than it would be for you to stay.   |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | Owners should not treat animals themselves. The   |
|                  | National Animal Poison Control Center in Urbana,  |
|                  | Illinois, any college or school of veterinary     |
|                  | medicine, State animal disease diagnostic         |
|                  | laboratory, and some human poison control centers |
|                  | can provide needed information on how to deal     |
|                  | with animal poisonings. There may be a charge for |
|                  | these services.                                   |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | For animals that graze or live outside, hazardous |
|                  | materials can present additional problems.        |
|                  | Animals exposed to low levels of hazardous        |
|                  | materials may not appear clinically affected, but |
|                  | their meat, milk and eggs may contain residues    |
|                  | that present health risks for humans. Contact a   |
|                  | specialist for advice if you think your animal    |
|                  | has been exposed. Representatives from the U.S.   |
|                  | Department of Agriculture Food Safety and         |
|                  | Inspection Service are trained and qualified to   |
|                  | deal with these issues. Other sources of          |
|                  | information regarding hazardous materials and     |
|                  | animals include:                                  |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   Federal and State Food and Drug               |
|                  |     Administration;                               |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   State chemists, whose role includes the       |
|                  |     safety of animal feeds;                       |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   The National Animal Poison Control Center;    |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   Colleges and schools of veterinary medicine;  |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   State disease diagnostic laboratories; and    |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   Hazardous materials teams in some areas.      |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+

+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| # Re             | A major hazardous materials incident may require  |
| covery {#recover | response of various levels of government          |
| y .Animals-head} | (Federal, State, and local).                      |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | The following table identifies local government   |
|                  | responsibilities.                                 |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+

  ------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
  Agency/Center       Responsibility

  Local public health Safeguards the public when food or water supplies
  department          may be affected or when dwellings may become
                      contaminated.

  A chemist and       May provide advice on toxicity and personnel
  toxicologist from   protection as well as recommendations to the scene
  the local health    manager regarding actions to reduce public health
  department          hazards.

  Public works        May assist in containment and cleanup.
  department          
  ------------------- ---------------------------------------------------

+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| #  {#section-    | In a major incident, a local government may call  |
| 1 .Animals-head} | on State agencies for resources and knowledge.    |
|                  | Such an action could involve a number of State    |
|                  | agencies, which include those listed in the       |
|                  | following table.                                  |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+

  ------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
  Agency/Center       Responsibility

  State Office of     Arranges State and regional mutual aid support and
  Emergency Services  provides liaison with State agencies.

  State Department of Assists and/or provides identification and
  Transportation      containment of all materials on State highways and
                      freeways or unincorporated county roadways.

  State Police or     Provides general control of the perimeter of the
  Highway Patrol      incident (e.g., regulating traffic) and other roles
                      depending on State law and incident requirements.

  State Department of Provide recommendations and guidelines when
  Fish and Game and   hazardous materials spills are likely to
  regional water      contaminate streams and/or waterways or would
  quality control     otherwise affect wildlife resources.
  boards              

  State Occupational  Often possess technical knowledge useful to an
  Safety and Health   incident commander in the areas of exposure,
  Administration      protection and control of hazardous materials. In
  (OSHA) personnel    an incident in which employees have been injured
                      due to exposure, or in a prolonged incident, State
                      OSHA personnel may respond. The State department of
                      health employs health scientists who can help
                      assess the potential human impact of a toxic
                      release.

  State department of Can predict the environmental impact of actions the
  environmental       incident commander is considering. (For more
  protection          information about the Incident Command System, see
                      Module B of this course, Unit 5.)

  State and local     Have specific expertise relating to chemical
  fire marshal        behavior and fire codes.

  The U.S. Department The agency that oversees food inspection for human
  of Agriculture Food safety, including carcasses that may have been
  Safety Inspection   exposed to hazardous materials.
  Service             
  ------------------- ---------------------------------------------------

+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| #  {#section-    | In the event of an incident, the Federal          |
| 2 .Animals-head} | government can also provide assistance to the     |
|                  | local incident commander. The following table     |
|                  | identifies Federal government responsibilities.   |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+

  ------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
  Agency/Center       Responsibility

  National Response   Staffed by the U.S. Coast Guard, this center
  Center (NRC)        operates a 24-hour hotline to communicate notices
                      of major hazardous materials discharges to the
                      appropriate authorities. The NRC can also provide
                      the local government with the expertise and
                      resources of other Federal agencies.

  Environmental       Primarily responsible for hazardous waste site
  Protection Agency   operations, cleanup activities, and environmental
  (EPA)               impact.

  Department of       Establishes the nation's overall transportation
  Transportation      policy. It bears the primary responsibility for
  (DOT)               issuing standards and regulations relating to the
                      transportation of hazardous materials from State to
                      State.

  Department of       Primary responsibility in the hazardous materials
  Energy (DOE)        arena involving radioactive waste generated by the
                      nuclear weapons program or by nuclear reactors that
                      supply energy.

  Department of       Responsible for maintaining personnel, equipment,
  Defense (DOD)       and other resources for potential use in military
                      conflict. DOD manufactures, stores, and discards
                      the full range of hazardous materials and is also
                      one of the nation's largest shippers of such
                      materials. The DOD can also provide response teams
                      and equipment.

  OSHA                Responsible for establishing rules and standards to
                      ensure that occupational environments are safe for
                      workers. As part of this function, OSHA regulates
                      employee safety and health at hazardous waste
                      operations, in work environments where hazardous
                      materials are present, or during emergency response
                      to incidents involving hazardous materials.

  National            Has identified a group of specialists designated as
  Agricultural        the Pesticides Safety Team. The team provides
  Chemicals           advice for incidents involving pesticides and will
  Association         dispatch a response team to the site if one is
                      needed.

  FEMA                Available to provide additional financial relief in
                      the event of an incident so serious that local and
                      State funds prove inadequate.
  ------------------- ---------------------------------------------------

LEARNING CHECK -- WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED\
ABOUT HAZARDOUS MATERIALS?

This activity is designed to assess your understanding of the
information presented in this unit.

Directions: Answer the questions --- use the Answer Key in Unit 10 to
check your answers.

# True or False

1.  Animals that have been exposed to hazardous materials present no
    danger to people.

2.  Household compounds like cleaning materials are not considered
    hazardous materials.

3.  There is little that untrained members of the public can do to
    intervene in a hazardous materials event.

4.  If you suspect that your animal has been poisoned, the best resource
    to contact is a human poison consulting service, they always have
    information pertaining to humans and animals.

5.  Animals that ingest low levels of hazardous materials may not appear
    clinically affected.

6.  Exposure of livestock to hazardous materials may potentially
    contaminate human food.

7.  When hazardous materials releases occur during the day when people
    are at work, officials are prepared to let owners into secured areas
    to retrieve their pets.

# Multiple Choice

8.  In your home, chemicals should be stored in which of the following
    places?

  ----------------------- -----------------------------------------------
  a\. Upper shelves       c\. The floor and lower shelves with cabinet
                          locks

  b\. In the attic        d\. In the garage
  ----------------------- -----------------------------------------------

9.  Which of the following agencies safeguards the public when food or
    water supplies may be affected and when dwellings may be
    contaminated?

```{=html}
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```
a.  Local public health department

b.  Environmental Protection Agency

c.  Office of Emergency Preparedness

d.  Food and Drug Administration

```{=html}
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```
10. Which of the following agencies has the primary responsibility when
    hazardous materials accidents involve radioactive waste?

  ----------------------- -----------------------------------------------
  a\. Sheriff's           c\. Department of Transportation
  department              

  b\. Department of       d\. Environmental Protection Agency
  Energy                  
  ----------------------- -----------------------------------------------

+------------------+---------------+----------------------------------+
| # Radi           | Contemporary  |                                  |
| ation hazards {# | radiation     |                                  |
| radiation-hazard | hazards       |                                  |
| s .Animals-head} | include       |                                  |
|                  | problems      |                                  |
| #  {#section-    | associated    |                                  |
| 3 .Animals-head} | with nuclear  |                                  |
|                  | power plants, |                                  |
|                  | nuclear       |                                  |
|                  | weapons       |                                  |
|                  | accidents,    |                                  |
|                  | and the       |                                  |
|                  | manufacture,  |                                  |
|                  | transport,    |                                  |
|                  | and storage   |                                  |
|                  | of nuclear    |                                  |
|                  | and other     |                                  |
|                  | hazardous     |                                  |
|                  | materials.    |                                  |
|                  | There is a    |                                  |
|                  | glossary of   |                                  |
|                  | radiation     |                                  |
|                  | terms at the  |                                  |
|                  | end of this   |                                  |
|                  | section.      |                                  |
|                  |               |                                  |
|                  | Utility       |                                  |
|                  | companies in  |                                  |
|                  | the United    |                                  |
|                  | States        |                                  |
|                  | generate      |                                  |
|                  | about 20      |                                  |
|                  | percent of    |                                  |
|                  | our           |                                  |
|                  | electricity   |                                  |
|                  | by nuclear    |                                  |
|                  | power. Fixed  |                                  |
|                  | nuclear       |                                  |
|                  | facilities    |                                  |
|                  | (power        |                                  |
|                  | plants,       |                                  |
|                  | storage       |                                  |
|                  | facilities,   |                                  |
|                  | research      |                                  |
|                  | reactors) are |                                  |
|                  | generally     |                                  |
|                  | safe and      |                                  |
|                  | constructed   |                                  |
|                  | to contain    |                                  |
|                  | any           |                                  |
|                  | radiological  |                                  |
|                  | release.      |                                  |
|                  | However,      |                                  |
|                  | there is a    |                                  |
|                  | possibility   |                                  |
|                  | that an       |                                  |
|                  | incident      |                                  |
|                  | could cause a |                                  |
|                  | release of    |                                  |
|                  | radioactive   |                                  |
|                  | materials. To |                                  |
|                  | prepare for   |                                  |
|                  | this          |                                  |
|                  | eventuality   |                                  |
|                  | the Nuclear   |                                  |
|                  | Regulatory    |                                  |
|                  | Commission    |                                  |
|                  | requires that |                                  |
|                  | all power     |                                  |
|                  | plants and    |                                  |
|                  | State         |                                  |
|                  | emergency     |                                  |
|                  | response      |                                  |
|                  | agencies plan |                                  |
|                  | for such      |                                  |
|                  | problems. The |                                  |
|                  | agency must   |                                  |
|                  | also          |                                  |
|                  | periodically  |                                  |
|                  | conduct       |                                  |
|                  | practice      |                                  |
|                  | exercises to  |                                  |
|                  | determine the |                                  |
|                  | effectiveness |                                  |
|                  | of the plan.  |                                  |
|                  |               |                                  |
|                  | Radiation is  |                                  |
|                  | any kinetic   |                                  |
|                  | energy        |                                  |
|                  | emitted in    |                                  |
|                  | rays or       |                                  |
|                  | particles     |                                  |
|                  | from sources  |                                  |
|                  | of heat,      |                                  |
|                  | light, sound, |                                  |
|                  | and           |                                  |
|                  | r             |                                  |
|                  | adioactivity. |                                  |
|                  | Mostly,       |                                  |
|                  | radiation is  |                                  |
|                  | described as  |                                  |
|                  | charged       |                                  |
|                  | particles     |                                  |
|                  | (ions) in     |                                  |
|                  | material that |                                  |
|                  | it strikes.   |                                  |
|                  | There are two |                                  |
|                  | types of      |                                  |
|                  | ionizing      |                                  |
|                  | radiation:    |                                  |
|                  | those         |                                  |
|                  | produced from |                                  |
|                  | natural       |                                  |
|                  | origin        |                                  |
|                  | (including    |                                  |
|                  | those         |                                  |
|                  | naturally     |                                  |
|                  | found in the  |                                  |
|                  | body) and     |                                  |
|                  | those         |                                  |
|                  | produced from |                                  |
|                  | natural       |                                  |
|                  | origin but    |                                  |
|                  | affected by   |                                  |
|                  | human         |                                  |
|                  | activities.   |                                  |
|                  |               |                                  |
|                  | As the        |                                  |
|                  | radioactive   |                                  |
|                  | isotope       |                                  |
|                  | decays it     |                                  |
|                  | emits a       |                                  |
|                  | el            |                                  |
|                  | ectromagnetic |                                  |
|                  | wave or       |                                  |
|                  | energized     |                                  |
|                  | particles.    |                                  |
|                  | The types of  |                                  |
|                  | radiation are |                                  |
|                  | either alpha  |                                  |
|                  | or beta       |                                  |
|                  | particles of  |                                  |
|                  | gamma         |                                  |
|                  | emissions.    |                                  |
|                  | The following |                                  |
|                  | table         |                                  |
|                  | identifies    |                                  |
|                  | each type of  |                                  |
|                  | emission.     |                                  |
+------------------+---------------+----------------------------------+
| #  {#section-    | ## Al         | The largest particles with very  |
| 4 .Animals-head} | pha particles | shallow penetration into a       |
|                  |               | surface. A piece of paper will   |
|                  |               | absorb the radiation.            |
+------------------+---------------+----------------------------------+
|                  | Beta          | Smaller particles that will      |
|                  | particles     | penetrate tissue about 2 cm.     |
+------------------+---------------+----------------------------------+
|                  | Gamma rays    | Not particles and have no mass.  |
|                  |               | Can penetrate through the body.  |
|                  |               | Similar to X-rays.               |
+------------------+---------------+----------------------------------+

+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| #  {#section-    | Alpha and beta particles can cause surface skin   |
| 5 .Animals-head} | wounds and internal damage if radioactive         |
|                  | compounds that emit these are inhaled or          |
|                  | swallowed. Gamma and X-rays can cause whole body  |
|                  | damage because of the extent of penetration.      |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | Each isotope has its own specific half-life and   |
|                  | most have an affinity for specific tissues. The   |
|                  | half-life, or decay of an isotope is the speed at |
|                  | which that isotope reaches one half of its        |
|                  | original radioactive strength. For example: the   |
|                  | half-life of iodine-131 is eight days. After      |
|                  | eight days, it reaches one half of its original   |
|                  | radioactivity. In another eight days, the         |
|                  | radioactivity is again reduced by one half. The   |
|                  | longer the half-life the more persistent the      |
|                  | isotope is in the environment.                    |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | The following table identifies sources of         |
|                  | radioisotopes and their contribution to the human |
|                  | body.                                             |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+

> Sources of radioisotopes and contribution to the human body

+------------------------------------------+---------------------------+
| Source of Radiation                      | > Percentage              |
+------------------------------------------+---------------------------+
| Radon                                    | > 54                      |
+------------------------------------------+---------------------------+
| Internal                                 | > 11                      |
+------------------------------------------+---------------------------+
| Medical X-rays                           | > 11                      |
+------------------------------------------+---------------------------+
| Terrestrial                              | > 8                       |
+------------------------------------------+---------------------------+
| Cosmic                                   | > 8                       |
+------------------------------------------+---------------------------+
| Nuclear Medicine                         | > 4                       |
+------------------------------------------+---------------------------+
| Consumer Products                        | > 3                       |
+------------------------------------------+---------------------------+
| Other                                    | > 1                       |
+------------------------------------------+---------------------------+

+------------------+---------------+----------------------------------+
| #  {#section-    | Incidents at  |                                  |
| 6 .Animals-head} | nuclear power |                                  |
|                  | plants are    |                                  |
|                  | classified    |                                  |
|                  | into four     |                                  |
|                  | escalating    |                                  |
|                  | categories or |                                  |
|                  | levels. They  |                                  |
|                  | are: Unusual  |                                  |
|                  | Event, Alert, |                                  |
|                  | Site Area     |                                  |
|                  | Emergency,    |                                  |
|                  | General       |                                  |
|                  | Emergency.    |                                  |
+------------------+---------------+----------------------------------+
| #  {#section-    | ##            | Any mishap that occurs at the    |
| 7 .Animals-head} | Unusual Event | plant. This could be a worker    |
|                  |               | falling off a ladder and         |
|                  |               | breaking a leg. This must be     |
|                  |               | reported to the State emergency  |
|                  |               | response agency because an       |
|                  |               | ambulance sighted at the door of |
|                  |               | the facility could cause the     |
|                  |               | circulation of false rumors.     |
|                  |               | Unusual events are usually minor |
|                  |               | mishaps of any kind, not         |
|                  |               | necessarily involving the        |
|                  |               | reactor, with no radiological    |
|                  |               | release requiring offsite        |
|                  |               | response or monitoring.          |
+------------------+---------------+----------------------------------+
| #  {#section-    | Alert         | There is a reactor accident that |
| 8 .Animals-head} |               | involves an actual or potential  |
|                  |               | substantial degradation of the   |
|                  |               | plant safety level. Any releases |
|                  |               | are expected to be small         |
|                  |               | fractions of the Federal (EPA)   |
|                  |               | protective action guideline      |
|                  |               | exposure levels. Alerts do not   |
|                  |               | represent a threat to the        |
|                  |               | public.                          |
+------------------+---------------+----------------------------------+
| #  {#section-    | Site Area     | A reactor accident that involves |
| 9 .Animals-head} | Emergency     | actual or likely major failures  |
|                  |               | of plant functions needed for    |
|                  |               | protection of the public. Any    |
|                  |               | releases are not expected to     |
|                  |               | exceed Federal (EPA) protective  |
|                  |               | action guideline exposure levels |
|                  |               | except near the site boundary.   |
|                  |               | The public will normally be      |
|                  |               | notified and given instructions. |
+------------------+---------------+----------------------------------+
| #  {#section-1   | General       | A reactor accident that involves |
| 0 .Animals-head} | Emergency     | actual or imminent substantial   |
|                  |               | care degradation or melting with |
|                  |               | potential for loss of            |
|                  |               | containment integrity. Releases  |
|                  |               | can be reasonably expected to    |
|                  |               | exceed Federal (EPA) protective  |
|                  |               | action guideline exposure levels |
|                  |               | offsite for more than the        |
|                  |               | immediate site area. These are   |
|                  |               | incidents that call for          |
|                  |               | immediate protective action.     |
|                  |               | Follow all official              |
|                  |               | instructions.                    |
+------------------+---------------+----------------------------------+

+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| #  {#section-1   | Nuclear facilities provide people living nearby   |
| 1 .Animals-head} | (within 10 miles) with written instructions of    |
|                  | what to do in all eventualities (what the sirens  |
|                  | mean if they go off and where to listen on their  |
|                  | radio and television for instructions). If        |
|                  | incidents do occur, the following actions are     |
|                  | taken.                                            |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   The plant notifies the appropriate            |
|                  |     authorities of the event classification. The  |
|                  |     lowest classification that applies is         |
|                  |     designated. As the event continues            |
|                  |     classifications may change depending on the   |
|                  |     problem and the actions taken to correct it.  |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   Depending on the progression of the event     |
|                  |     emergency management officials will recommend |
|                  |     necessary protective action to the public.    |
|                  |     Public notification is made through sirens    |
|                  |     and the emergency alert system (EAS) on radio |
|                  |     and television.                               |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+

+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| #  {#section-1   | If radioactive material is released into the      |
| 2 .Animals-head} | environment it forms a plume. The plume cannot be |
|                  | detected by sight or smell and may contain        |
|                  | various radioactive isotopes. The direction and   |
|                  | speed of the plume depends on weather conditions, |
|                  | especially the wind.                              |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| #  {#section-1   | Generally there are two zones of concern: one up  |
| 3 .Animals-head} | to 10 miles from the plant called the plume zone  |
|                  | and the other up to 50 miles from the plant       |
|                  | called the ingestion pathway zone. (The ingestion |
|                  | pathway zone is named such because radioactive    |
|                  | material may be deposited on crops and grasses    |
|                  | and contaminate animal or human food.) Action for |
|                  | each zone depends on the direction and speed of   |
|                  | the wind. For example, if the wind is going in a  |
|                  | westerly direction the recommendations for the    |
|                  | west would be different from those made for the   |
|                  | east.                                             |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | Two actions can help protect against radiation    |
|                  | exposure:                                         |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   Create a distance from the source of          |
|                  |     radioactivity, and                            |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   Create a barrier to the radioactivity.        |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | The preferred protective action for people is     |
|                  | evacuation, but in some limited circumstances     |
|                  | sheltering in place may be recommended.           |
|                  | Recommendations should be made well in advance of |
|                  | the plume reaching the affected areas.            |
|                  | Precautionary actions for livestock typically     |
|                  | involve putting animals in corral or under        |
|                  | shelter and using protected food and water.       |
|                  | Recommendations for livestock are usually made    |
|                  | *before a recommendation is made for people*.     |
|                  | This protects the people that need to carry out   |
|                  | the actions to protect the animals.               |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | The State agriculture department and U.S.         |
|                  | Department of Agriculture provide information on  |
|                  | the radiation risks to livestock. The emergency   |
|                  | management agency should rate the effectiveness   |
|                  | of animal shelters in protecting against          |
|                  | radioactive penetration in advance of any         |
|                  | incident. When animals are sheltered they should  |
|                  | be fed only stored covered feed and water that is |
|                  | protected from radioactive fallout.               |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | If animals need to be evacuated along with        |
|                  | humans, procedures discussed elsewhere for        |
|                  | evacuation should be followed. Routes that are    |
|                  | not primary routes for human evacuation efforts   |
|                  | should be used to avoid traffic being slowed due  |
|                  | to a disabled livestock vehicle.                  |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | If animals are left outside and become exposed to |
|                  | radioactive material, a veterinary should         |
|                  | evaluate the animals as soon as safety permits.   |
|                  | Some forms of external contamination on animals   |
|                  | can be washed off. If none of the material has    |
|                  | been absorbed, the animal may no longer be        |
|                  | contaminated. It is important that a veterinarian |
|                  | check animals for exposure, especially farm       |
|                  | animals. No products should be used until         |
|                  | appropriate laboratory tests for radioactivity    |
|                  | are performed.                                    |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | The rapid evacuation of people may require that   |
|                  | animals are left in barns. Regulatory officials   |
|                  | may prohibit entry into the area if it is         |
|                  | radioactive. However, short trips may be allowed  |
|                  | to care for and milk farm animals. Officials will |
|                  | determine the frequency, duration, and equipment  |
|                  | required for these trips. The amount of radiation |
|                  | personnel performing these chores receive will be |
|                  | checked with dosimeters.                          |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| # Mitigati       | Personal preparation and mitigation for           |
| on {#mitigation- | radiological incidents can be improved by         |
| 1 .Animals-head} | ensuring that you have the following:             |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   Awareness of and familiarity with siren       |
|                  |     alerts and the emergency alert network;       |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   Adequate shelter on the premises for animals; |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   Protective covers for feed and water          |
|                  |     resources;                                    |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   Knowledge of evacuation sites and routes;     |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   Knowledge of nearby nuclear facilities, what  |
|                  |     they do, worst-case scenarios, what a         |
|                  |     radiation release would contain, and          |
|                  |     protective measures against these elements.   |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | Many nuclear facility plans do not account for    |
|                  | pets and livestock evacuation or on-premise care  |
|                  | in the event of radiation release. By working     |
|                  | with the facility planners, much can be           |
|                  | accomplished in correcting these shortfalls.      |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| # Preparedness   | The following actions can be taken to prepare for |
|  {#preparedness- | radiation hazards.                                |
| 1 .Animals-head} |                                                   |
|                  | -   Those living near a fixed nuclear site should |
|                  |     know where the sirens are located and under   |
|                  |     what circumstances they are activated. The    |
|                  |     emergency alert system gives specific         |
|                  |     directions for actions, announcements         |
|                  |     describing the incident at the nuclear        |
|                  |     facility, evacuation routes, emergency        |
|                  |     shelter locations, and other actions to be    |
|                  |     taken.                                        |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   Know where the emergency shelters for your    |
|                  |     area are located to prevent searching at the  |
|                  |     time of the incident. (Shelters are also      |
|                  |     called congregate care centers or mass care   |
|                  |     centers.) Shelters may not take pets so       |
|                  |     having a pre-arranged place to take them is   |
|                  |     important and will reduce concern for animals |
|                  |     left in jeopardy.                             |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   Prior arrangements for protection or          |
|                  |     evacuation of horses and other livestock is   |
|                  |     also important. A barn, thick grove of trees, |
|                  |     or trench silo might shelter them against     |
|                  |     radioactive fallout. Practice will help       |
|                  |     accustom animals to temporary shelters (many  |
|                  |     animals resist moving to unfamiliar           |
|                  |     environments).                                |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   Arrangements with family or friends outside   |
|                  |     the evacuation area for temporary housing of  |
|                  |     large animals should be made in advance. Feed |
|                  |     and water resources may become critical at    |
|                  |     the host site without planning.               |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | -   Controlling fallout onto water and feed       |
|                  |     supplies may be difficult. Since most         |
|                  |     radioactive fallout particles are heavier     |
|                  |     than water, in bodies of water with little or |
|                  |     no turbulence the surface water consumed by   |
|                  |     animals will be safe to drink within 10 to 14 |
|                  |     days. Other water sources such as water       |
|                  |     troughs can be covered temporarily to protect |
|                  |     the water from immediate fallout. Rolls of    |
|                  |     garden mulch or plastic sheeting can be       |
|                  |     stored for this purpose.                      |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| # Resp           | If the sirens in the area are activated, listen   |
| onse {#response- | on radio or television to the designated          |
| 1 .Animals-head} | emergency alert station. Follow the directions    |
|                  | closely. If evacuation notices are given it is    |
|                  | very important that they are obeyed as soon as    |
|                  | possible. The closer the farm is to the incident, |
|                  | the less time is available to shelter without     |
|                  | endangering the life of the owner. Follow local   |
|                  | instructions as to whether to take your pets with |
|                  | you when you evacuate. Close up the house and     |
|                  | leave quickly.                                    |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| # Reco           | If there is a release of radioactive material,    |
| very {#recovery- | the emergency managers will secure the entire     |
| 1 .Animals-head} | area of possible radiation exposure. Before       |
|                  | anyone is permitted to re-enter the area, careful |
|                  | monitoring will assure the safety of residents    |
|                  | wanting to return. Re-entry might be permitted    |
|                  | under supervision. Animals and feed and water     |
|                  | supplies should be checked for radioactivity.     |
|                  | Decontamination of any object is difficult and    |
|                  | can be hazardous; only people specifically        |
|                  | trained in that field should do this.             |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+

LEARNING CHECK -- WHAT HAVE\
YOU LEARNED ABOUT RADIATION HAZARDS?

This activity is designed to assess your understanding of the
information presented in this unit.

Directions: Answer the questions --- use the Answer Key in Unit 10 to
check your answers.

# True or False

1.  The persistence of a radioactive isotope in the environment is
    measured by its half-life.

2.  Two things that can be done to protect people and animals from
    radiation are creating a distance from the source and creating a
    barrier to the radioactivity.

3.  When evacuation and sheltering are necessary during a radioactive
    release incident, recommendations are made for people before a
    similar recommendation for animals.

4.  Some forms of external radioactive contamination can be washed off
    of animals.

5.  Having a pre-arranged place to take pets, horses, and livestock will
    help when an evacuation of a farm or home occurs.

6.  If there is a release of radiation and there has been radioactive
    contamination, the area of contamination will be sealed off by the
    authorities.

7.  Any animal owner can easily decontaminate animals exposed to
    radioactive materials.

# Multiple Choice

8.  Which of the following is **NOT** a type of radiation?

  ----------------------- -----------------------------------------------
  a\. Alpha particles     c\. Gamma rays

  b\. Beta particles      d\. Delta particles
  ----------------------- -----------------------------------------------

9.  Which of the following refers to a reactor accident that involves
    actual or likely major failures of plant functions needed to protect
    the public?

  ----------------------- -----------------------------------------------
  a\. Unusual event       c\. Site area emergency

  b\. Alert               d\. General emergency
  ----------------------- -----------------------------------------------

10. Which of the following refers to a reactor accident that involves
    actual or imminent substantial care degradation or melting with
    potential for loss of containment integrity?

  ----------------------- -----------------------------------------------
  a\. Unusual event       c\. Site emergency

  b\. Alert               d\. General emergency
  ----------------------- -----------------------------------------------

#  GLOSSARY OF RADIATION TERMS

Alpha Particle -- Two neutrons and two protons typically arising from
the decay of heavy metals such as uranium, plutonium and radium. The
large mass and two positive charges result in large direct ionization
potential but little ability to penetrate. Alpha particles cannot
penetrate through a piece of paper or skin.

Beta Particle -- Negatively or positively charged particle emitted from
the nucleus as an unstable atom. They can penetrate the skin.

Biological Half-life -- The times it takes for the body to reduce the
amount by one-half its original amount through elimination.

Electromagnetic Wave -- Energy resulting from changing electric and
magnetic fields. Long wave lengths are x and gamma rays where the
shorter wave lengths are ultraviolet and visible lights and the shortest
wave lengths are radar, radio and television.

Fallout -- The descent of airborne particulate matter. Although this
could refer to soot, dust, etc., it is now generally used in reference
to radioactive materials incorporated in particulate matter such as dust
and sand as the result of a nuclear detonation or release of radioactive
materials from a nuclear power plant.

Gamma rays -- A nuclear electromagnetic ray with no mass or charge.
Gamma rays can penetrate many centimeters into the tissue.

Ionizing Radiation -- Radiation as a result of radioactivity.

Irradiation -- The submission of an object to radiation whether it is
solar, radioactive or heat.

Neutrons -- A man-made nuclear source of nuclear radiation resulting
from a fission process. There is no electrical charge and neutrons can
travel considerable distance in the air and penetrate the body tissues.

Radioactive Decay (half-life) -- The amount of time it takes for an
element to reach half of its initial value. The decay rate is the rate
of disintegration of a radioactive material.

Radioactivity -- The spontaneous disintegration of atoms from an
unstable form to a more stable form; the transformation rate of an atom
resulting in the emission of radiation in the form of alpha, beta or
gamma rays.

Radiation -- Kinetic energy being emitted in rays such as heat, light,
sound and radioactivity.

Radionuclide -- Any radioactive material. Radioisotope should be used in
referring to a specific element.

Radiotoxicity -- The relative hazards of the various radionuclides and
electromagnetic rays and their effect within the body.

X-rays -- An artificial source of ionizing radiation. It has the same
physical properties of gamma rays but this form of radiation is used in
diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| #                | In this unit you learned how the four phases of   |
| Summary {#summar | emergency management --- mitigation,              |
| y .Animals-head} | preparedness, response and recovery --- can be    |
|                  | applied to the emergency management and response  |
|                  | to technological hazards. At each level you were  |
|                  | given practical advice to protect yourself and    |
|                  | your animals from the dangers that these hazards  |
|                  | cause.                                            |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| #  {#section-1   |                                                   |
| 4 .Animals-head} |                                                   |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| #  {#section-1   |                                                   |
| 5 .Animals-head} |                                                   |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| #  {#section-1   |                                                   |
| 6 .Animals-head} |                                                   |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| #  {#section-1   |                                                   |
| 7 .Animals-head} |                                                   |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| #  {#section-1   |                                                   |
| 8 .Animals-head} |                                                   |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+