# Guide 164: Radioactive Materials (Special Form/ Low to High Level External Radiation) **Citation:** ERG 2024 Guide 164 **Type / status:** guidance / guidance **Agency:** U.S. DOT / Transport Canada / SICT **Effective:** Not stated **Published:** 2024-04-04 ERG2024 response Guide 164: Radioactive Materials (Special Form/ Low to High Level External Radiation). ## Document text GUIDE 164 Radioactive Materials (Special Form/ Low to High Level External Radiation) POTENTIAL HAZARDS HEALTH • Radiation presents minimal risk to transport workers, emergency response personnel and the public during transportation accidents. Packaging durability increases as potential hazard of radioactive content increases. • Undamaged packages are safe; contents of damaged packages may cause external radiation exposure, and much higher external exposure if contents (source capsules) are released. • • Contamination and internal radiation hazards are not expected, but not impossible. Type A packages (cartons, boxes, drums, articles, etc.) identified as Type A by marking on packages or by shipping papers contain non-life-endangering amounts. Radioactive sources may be released if Type A packages are damaged in moderately severe accidents. • Type B packages, and the rarely occurring Type C packages, (large and small, usually metal) contain the most hazardous amounts. They can be identified by package markings or by shipping papers. Life-threatening conditions may exist only if contents are released or package shielding fails. Because of design, evaluation and testing of packages, these conditions would be expected only for accidents of utmost severity. • Radioactive White-I labels indicate radiation levels outside single, isolated, undamaged packages are very low (less than 0.005 mSv/h (0.5 mrem/h)). • Radioactive Yellow-II and Yellow-III labeled packages have higher radiation levels. The transport index (TI) on the label identifies the maximum radiation level in mrem/h one meter from a single, isolated, undamaged package. • Radiation from the package contents, usually in durable metal capsules, can be detected by most radiation instruments. • Water from cargo fire control is not expected to cause pollution. • • • • FIRE OR EXPLOSION Packagings can burn completely without risk of content loss from sealed source capsule. Radioactivity does not change flammability or other properties of materials. Radioactive source capsules and Type B packages are designed and evaluated to withstand total engulfment in flames at temperatures of 800°C (1475°F) for a period of 30 minutes. PUBLIC SAFETY CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover. Priorities for rescue, life-saving, first aid, fire control and other hazards are higher than the priority for measuring radiation levels. Radiation Authority must be notified of accident conditions. Radiation Authority is usually responsible for decisions about radiological consequences and closure of emergencies. Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream. • Keep unauthorized personnel away. Delay final cleanup until instructions or advice is received from Radiation Authority. • • • • PROTECTIVE CLOTHING • Positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and structural firefighters’ protective clothing will provide adequate protection against internal radiation exposure, but not external radiation exposure. EVACUATION Immediate precautionary measure • • • Isolate spill or leak area for at least 25 meters (75 feet) in all directions. Large Spill Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet). Fire When a large quantity of this material is involved in a major fire, consider an initial evacuation distance of 300 meters (1000 feet) in all directions. Page 258 ERG 2024 Radioactive Materials (Special Form/ Low to High Level External Radiation) GUIDE 164 EMERGENCY RESPONSE FIRE • Presence of radioactive material will not influence the fire control processes and should not influence selection of techniques. • If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. • Do not move damaged packages; move undamaged packages out of fire zone. Small Fire • Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or regular foam. Large Fire • Water spray, fog (flooding amounts). SPILL OR LEAK • Do not touch damaged packages or spilled material. • Damp surfaces on undamaged or slightly damaged packages are seldom an indication of packaging failure. Contents are seldom liquid. Content is usually a metal capsule, easily seen if released from package. • If source capsule is identified as being out of package, DO NOT TOUCH. Stay away and await advice from Radiation Authority. FIRST AID Refer to the “General First Aid” section. Specific First Aid: • Medical problems take priority over radiological concerns. • Use first aid treatment according to the nature of the injury. • Do not delay care and transport of a seriously injured person. • Persons exposed to special form sources are not likely to be contaminated with radioactive material. • Injured persons contaminated by contact with released material are not a serious hazard to health care personnel, equipment or facilities. ERG 2024 Page 259 ## Provenance - Official: Yes - Source: - Source ID: `phmsa-erg-2024` - SHA-256: `78e3a13077174a75fd6e3f0e76bd8b5724b0df97393672aa1a41e778d018fcf2` - Retrieved: 2026-08-13T11:31:32.574Z - Exported: 2026-08-22T20:16:35.354Z - Document slug: `phmsa-erg-2024-guide-164` ### Source metadata ```json { "edition": 2024, "language": "English", "jurisdiction": "US", "caveat": "Emergency-response guidance for the initial phase of a transportation incident. 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