{"operation":"document","citation":"ERG 2024 Guide 165","title":"Guide 165: Radioactive Materials (Fissile/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":null,"summary":"ERG2024 response Guide 165: Radioactive Materials (Fissile/Low to High Level Radiation).","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-165.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-165.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-165","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/erg/guide?number=165","body":"GUIDE\n165\nRadioactive Materials\n(Fissile/Low to High Level Radiation)\nPOTENTIAL HAZARDS\nHEALTH\n•\nRadiation presents minimal risk to transport workers, emergency response personnel and the public during\ntransportation accidents. Packaging durability increases as potential hazard of radioactive content increases.\n•\nUndamaged packages are safe. Contents of damaged packages may cause higher external radiation exposure,\nor both external and internal radiation exposure if contents are released.\n•\nType AF or IF packages, identified by package markings, do not contain life-threatening amounts of material.\nExternal radiation levels are low and packages are designed, evaluated and tested to control releases and to\nprevent a fission chain reaction under severe transport conditions.\n•\nType B(U)F, B(M)F and CF packages (identified by markings on packages or shipping papers) contain potentially\nlife-endangering amounts. Because of design, evaluation and testing of packages, fission chain reactions are\nprevented and releases are not expected to be life-endangering for all accidents except those of utmost severity.\n•\nThe rarely occurring \"Special Arrangement\" shipments may be of Type AF, BF or CF packages. Package type\nwill be marked on packages, and shipment details will be on shipping papers.\n•\nThe transport index (TI) shown on labels or a shipping paper might not indicate the radiation level at one meter\nfrom a single, isolated, undamaged package; instead, it might relate to controls needed during transport because\nof the fissile properties of the materials. Alternatively, the fissile nature of the contents is indicated by a criticality\nsafety index (CSI) on a special FISSILE label or on the shipping paper.\n•\n•\nSome radioactive materials cannot be detected by commonly available instruments.\nWater from cargo fire control is not expected to cause pollution.\n•\n•\n•\nFIRE OR EXPLOSION\nThese materials are seldom flammable. Packages are designed to withstand fires without damage to contents.\nRadioactivity does not change flammability or other properties of materials.\nType AF, IF, B(U)F, B(M)F and CF packages are designed and evaluated to withstand total engulfment in\nflames at temperatures of 800°C (1475°F) for a period of 30 minutes.\nPUBLIC SAFETY\nCALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not\navailable or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.\nPriorities for rescue, life-saving, first aid, fire control and other hazards are higher than the priority for\nmeasuring radiation levels.\nRadiation Authority must be notified of accident conditions. Radiation Authority is usually responsible for\ndecisions about radiological consequences and closure of emergencies.\nStay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.\nKeep unauthorized personnel away.\nDetain or isolate uninjured persons or equipment suspected to be contaminated; delay decontamination and\ncleanup until instructions are received from Radiation Authority.\n•\n•\n•\n•\n•\n•\nPROTECTIVE CLOTHING\n•\nPositive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and structural firefighters’ protective clothing will\nprovide adequate protection against internal radiation exposure, but not external radiation exposure.\nEVACUATION\nImmediate precautionary measure\n•\n•\n•\nIsolate spill or leak area for at least 25 meters (75 feet) in all directions.\nLarge Spill\nConsider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet).\nFire\nWhen a large quantity of this material is involved in a major fire, consider an initial evacuation distance of\n300 meters (1000 feet) in all directions.\nPage 260\nERG 2024\n\nRadioactive Materials\n(Fissile/Low to High Level Radiation)\nGUIDE\n165\nEMERGENCY RESPONSE\nFIRE\n•\nPresence of radioactive material will not influence the fire control processes and should not influence\nselection of techniques.\n•\nIf it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.\n•\nDo not move damaged packages; move undamaged packages out of fire zone.\nSmall Fire\n•\nDry chemical, CO2, water spray or regular foam.\nLarge Fire\n•\nWater spray, fog (flooding amounts).\nSPILL OR LEAK\n•\nDo not touch damaged packages or spilled material.\n•\nDamp surfaces on undamaged or slightly damaged packages are seldom an indication of packaging\nfailure. Most packaging for liquid content have inner containers and/or inner absorbent materials.\nLiquid Spill\n•\nPackage contents are seldom liquid. If any radioactive contamination resulting from a liquid release is\npresent, it probably will be low-level.\nFIRST AID\nRefer to the “General First Aid” section.\nSpecific First Aid:\n•\nMedical problems take priority over radiological concerns.\n•\nUse first aid treatment according to the nature of the injury.\n•\nDo not delay care and transport of a seriously injured person.\n•\nInjured persons contaminated by contact with released material are not a serious hazard to health care\npersonnel, equipment or facilities.\nIn Canada, an Emergency Response Assistance Plan (ERAP) may be required for this product.\nPlease consult the shipping paper and/or the \"ERAP\" section.\nERG 2024\nPage 261","truncated":false,"body_characters":5152}