# Guide 163: Radioactive Materials (Low to High Level Radiation)

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** ERG 2024 Guide 163
- **title:** Guide 163: Radioactive Materials (Low to High 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 163: Radioactive Materials (Low to High Level Radiation).
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- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-163
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/erg/guide?number=163
**body:**

GUIDE
163
Radioactive Materials
(Low to High 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.
•
Undamaged packages are safe. Contents of damaged packages may cause higher external radiation
exposure, or both external and internal radiation exposure if contents are released.
•
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. Partial releases might be expected 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.
•
The rarely occurring "Special Arrangement" shipments may be of Type A, Type B or Type C packages.
Package type will be marked on packages, and shipment details will be on shipping papers.
•
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.
•
•
Some radioactive materials cannot be detected by commonly available instruments.
Water from cargo fire control may cause pollution.
•
•
•
FIRE OR EXPLOSION
Some of these materials may burn, but most do not ignite readily.
Radioactivity does not change flammability or other properties of materials.
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.
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 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.
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ERG 2024

Radioactive Materials
(Low to High Level Radiation)
GUIDE
163
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).
•
Dike runoff from fire control for later disposal.
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. Most packaging for liquid content have inner containers and/or inner absorbent materials.
•
Cover liquid spill with sand, earth or other non-combustible absorbent material.
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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