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The primary roles of the NIRS in radiation emergency medicine
are to clarify the type of exposure and the radionuclides involved, estimate
the exposure dose, perform a comprehensive assessment of these together with
clinical findings in comparison with information from past radiation accidents,
predict the pathological consequences and determine the therapeutic strategy.
In the JCO critical accident that occurred in Tokai-mura,
Ibaraki on September 30, 1999, 2 operators and 1 worker, who was at a desk
in a corridor beyond
a wall, were exposed to high-dose radiation. Without information about the
accident, the NIRS received the exposed patients, detected sodium 24 in the
patients' blood and underwear, confirmed that it was a critical accident,
estimated the exposure dose from the symptoms, lymphocyte count, specific radioactivity
of the blood, and chromosome analysis, and decided on therapeutic measures
based on these results.
Support by specialists in radiation safety control and
protection is very important in radiation emergency medicine. In the JCO critical
accident,
the NIRS dispatched
specialists to give advice on radiation protection to the helicopter crews,
emergency staff for the transportation of exposure patients and to the
staff of the medical facilities involved.
Radiation emergency medicine exercise
Response to radiation accidents in the past
- Follow-up of Bikini victims
- Follow-up of thorotrastosis patients
- September 18, 1971
Treatment of iridium accident victims
- September 30, 1999
Treatment of three heavily exposed victims of the JCO critical accident
- June 2000
X-ray exposure accident
(3 persons) in Electric device plant in Yokaichiba City
Dose to the skin of their hands: 50-120 Sv
- December 2000
Dose assessment of the iodine 125 scattering event at JR Takatsuki Station
- February 2000
Dispatch of specialists to the Co-60 exposure accident in Thailand
- May 2001
Dispatch of specialists to the accident in Panama
- January 2005
Response to a low-energy
x-ray exposure
Education and training
To foster the human resources necessary for the support of local radiation
emergency medicine, the NIRS periodically holds radiation emergency medicine
seminars, radiation emergency first aid seminars, and dosimetric seminars
for teaching advanced and specialized knowledge and techniques. Training
is given for first responders so that they can confidently and safely handle
exposed or contaminated patients without fear of radiation.
Response to small accidents
The NIRS has posted a "radiation medicine telephone line" phone number
on its home page and receives about 20 telephone calls per year about possible
radiation exposure. In a few of these cases the person is requested to visit
our center for medical consultation and dose assessment.
International cooperation
As part of international cooperation in radiation emergency medicine, the
NIRS is registered in the Radiation Emergency Medical Preparedness and
Assistance Network (REMPAN) of the World Health Organization (WHO). If a neighboring
country
requests assistance, the NIRS organizes a quick response to the request
with
an international emergency aid unit comprising NIRS personnel who are specialists
in dosimetry, data analysis, decontamination, and radiation emergency medicine
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 Vertical whole body counter
This counter measures the radiation of a patient who may have been internally
contaminated. |
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Hand & footmonitor in vehicle |
Monitoring car
In case of a radiation accident, the car goes to the accident site and measures the dose rates in the surrounding area. |
