Even our bodies give off small amounts of radiation. Exposure to extremely large amounts of radiation can be harmful, even fatal. However, the amount of radiation given off in the normal operation of a nuclear plant is very small. Small amounts of radiation are referred to as low-level radiation. Although radiation is invisible, it can be measured.
Radiation is measured in units called rems and millirems.
A rem is a unit of measure that takes into account the effect that different types of radiation have on the body. This would be considered a precautionary evacuation. Should an incident occur at the Oconee Nuclear Site, Clemson University Police Department will receive the initial notification from Pickens County Emergency Operations Center. Clemson University will alert the students, faculty and staff by using various communications systems. The University Police and Fire Departments will use vehicle public address systems to alert the outside areas and off-campus housing.