# Guide 161: Radioactive Materials (Low Level Radiation)

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** ERG 2024 Guide 161
- **title:** Guide 161: Radioactive Materials (Low Level Radiation)
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** U.S. DOT / Transport Canada / SICT
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2024-04-04
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** ERG2024 response Guide 161: Radioactive Materials (Low Level Radiation).
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- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-161
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/erg/guide?number=161
**body:**

GUIDE
161
Radioactive Materials
(Low Level 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.
•
Very low levels of contained radioactive materials and low radiation levels outside packages result in low
risks to people. Damaged packages may release measurable amounts of radioactive material, but the
resulting risks are expected to be low.
•
Some radioactive materials cannot be detected by commonly available instruments.
•
Packages do not have RADIOACTIVE I, II, or III labels. Some may have EMPTY labels or may have the
word “Radioactive” in the package marking.
•
•
•
•
FIRE OR EXPLOSION
Some of these materials may burn, but most do not ignite readily.
Many have cardboard outer packaging; content (physically large or small) can be of many different
physical forms.
Radioactivity does not change flammability or other properties of materials.
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.
Detain or isolate uninjured persons or equipment suspected to be contaminated; delay decontamination
and cleanup until instructions are received from Radiation Authority.
•
•
•
•
•
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
•
Positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and structural firefighters’ protective
clothing will provide adequate protection.
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 252
ERG 2024

Radioactive Materials
(Low Level Radiation)
GUIDE
161
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.
•
Cover liquid spill with sand, earth or other non-combustible absorbent material.
•
Cover powder spill with plastic sheet or tarp to minimize spreading.
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.
•
Injured persons contaminated by contact with released material are not a serious hazard to health care
personnel, equipment or facilities.
ERG 2024
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