Exposure chemical compared with radiation

In spite of uncertainties in the dose-response relationship for radiation discussed above, it is generally believed that radiation risks in humans can be assessed with considerably greater confidence than risks from exposure to most hazardous chemicals that cause stochastic effects. The state of knowledge of radiation risks in humans compared with risks from exposure to chemicals that cause stochastic effects is discussed further in Section 4.4.2. 

Children with special health care needs will require additional considerations during mass casualty or disaster care. These considerations include decontamination procedures following radiation or chemical exposure for children using wheelchairs, ventilators, or oxygen and decontamination procedures for children with gastrostomy tubes, tracheostomy tubes, indwelling bladder catheters, and indwelling central venous catheters. Replacement supplies would be needed once the cutaneous decontamination is completed. Such supplies may not be readily available, so provisions must be made to secure these items or to have comparable clean or sterile supplies on hand. 

Urine samples for bioassay are collected from workers who may have inhaled or ingested radionuclides or hazardous chemicals, either while routinely handling samples with higher radionuclide or chemical concentrations, or after accidental exposure. The samples are analyzed for the radionuclides or chemicals that may have been taken in by the worker and the measured concentrations are used to calculate radiation exposures or to compare to radionuclide or chemical concentration limits. The frequency of sampling for bioassay depends on the occurrences of exposure and the rate of turnover of the radionuclides or chemicals in the body. 

When the solvent has almost reached the top of the paper, the paper is removed and quickly dried. The paper is developed to locate the positions of colorless fractions by spraying with a suitable chemical, e.g. ninhydrin, or by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The components are identified by comparing the distance they have traveled up the paper with standard solutions that have been run simultaneously, or by computing an J F value. A simplified version of paper chromatography uses a piece of filter paper. The sample is spotted at the center of the paper and solvent passed through it. Separation of the components of the mixture again takes place as the mobile phase spreads out on the paper. 

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