What to do in a radiation emergency A guide for businesses

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This guide tells you what you need to do in the extremely unlikely event of a radiation emergency at Portsmouth naval base. It has been produced by Portsmouth City Council, Borough Council and County Council, in consultation with the NHS and the . The information in this guide is very important. Although the chance of ever having to use this advice in an emergency is extremely unlikely, please put it in a safe place where you can find it easily. What is a radiation circumstances it is possible that some of this radioactive material emergency? could escape and affect areas close The design of nuclear-powered to the vessel or downwind of it. submarines and ships means the In such an emergency, people in the likelihood of a radiation accident is naval base who were very close to extremely remote. There is the vessel could be exposed to absolutely no risk of a ‘nuclear gamma radiation, which is very bomb’-type explosion. similar to x-rays. Who will be affected? The main risk to the public would be If an accident happened, it probably if very tiny radioactive particles wouldn’t affect people more than were released into the air. They half a kilometre (500 yards) from the might be carried by the wind and vessel, and because of the size of could settle on people or objects the naval base this would probably that people were in contact with. only affect people within the base. These tiny particles are unstable and give off radiation. By law we provide information to everyone who lives within 1.5 You could be exposed to radioactive kilometres (1 mile) of the nuclear particles by: berths in the naval base (see map • Inhaling contaminated air or gases across). Your business is in this zone. • Having contact with contaminated surfaces What could happen in a radiation emergency? • Eating or drinking contaminated food or water Usually, all radioactive material would be contained in the submarine or • Direct exposure from particles as ship. In some extreme they are blown along in a ‘plume’

2 Map of affected area This map shows the approximate area in which this leaflet is distributed.

1. In this guide ‘Portsmouth naval base’ means the areas at HMS Nelson owned by the MOD and Her Majesty’s Naval Base (HMNB) Portsmouth.

2. We show the affected area as a circle to make it easier to understand. The actual zone goes out to the nearest natural or landscape boundary.

3 What can radiation do If you work in the area and live somewhere else the best way to and how do I stay safe? stay safe is to leave the area. If you Radiation is a form of energy we are also live in the area you should follow exposed to all the time, from natural the advice in the resident leaflet you and man-made sources. In some receive which to stay inside with forms it can be harmful to humans your windows and doors shut, so and other living things because it none of the radioactive particles can can damage cells. This can result in reach you. More instruction on what damage to organs or other long- to do are on the following pages. term effects. In this type of incident the main How will I know about concern for the public would an emergency? be exposure to radioactive You will know if there is a radiation iodate particles. emergency because the police will Your body can absorb a limited tell you, or you will hear or see a news amount of iodates so we can easily announcement. The naval base siren keep people safe by giving them will also be used – a rising and falling stable iodine tablets, these contain wailing note. This siren is tested at safe iodates and minimise the health 9.30am on the last Wednesday of risks, by preventing the body February, June and October. absorbing certain harmful material.

4 What should I do if Tune in there’s an emergency? • During an emergency, we will Secure your premises, and go publish up-to-date information home or leave the area. and advice on Portsmouth City Council’s website www. Secure your premises portsmouth.gov.uk • Ask customers to leave. • Information and advice will also be on local radio and TV • Close all your doors and and websites. windows to reduce the risk of contamination entering • Keep listening and watching the building. Local radio stations include: • Follow any normal shut down • Radio Solent (96.1 FM, 999 MW) procedures for your business. • Heart FM (97.5 FM) • Switch off fans, ventilation equipment or appliances such • Capital (103.2 FM) as central heating boilers and • Wave (105.2 FM) gas fires, which draw air from • The Breeze (107.4 FM) outside. This will help stop any contamination entering • Sam FM (106 FM) the building. • Express FM (93.7 FM) • Put out or damp down open fires Helpline: Go home / leave the area In a radiation emergency you can call our helpline, 0800 085 0375 • If your home is within the 1.5km area you will also receive a Health issues: resident leaflet and should follow Call NHS 111 on telephone number the instructions it gives. 111 or go to the website www.111.nhs.uk

5 Don’t use the phone live in the area please follow the advice in your resident leaflet. unless you urgently need help Will this affect food In an emergency, mobile and and drink? landline networks might be It is unlikely that tap water, food or overloaded. If you must make a call, drink in your house that is covered or please keep it short. sealed, will be affected. You should wait for advice before eating What will residents do? anything stored outside or growing Residents receive a similar leaflet in an allotment or garden. More with specific advice telling them to advice and information on this will be stay in their homes and explaining given out as an incident progresses. stable iodine tablets they may be Specific advice for food given. You don’t need these because establishments will be available from you will be leaving the area. If you do the Food Standards Agency.

6 What do I do when More copies of this the immediate danger leaflet are available by: has passed? • Writing to: You should keep listening and Emergency Preparedness, looking for announcements and Resilience & Response Team updates on the news. Portsmouth City Council Civic Offices How to find out more Guildhall Square Portsmouth If you would like to find out more PO1 2AL about the Ministry of Defence’s nuclear-powered vessels, visit the • Emailing emergency.planning@ Royal Navy website: portsmouthcc.gov.uk www.royalnavy.mod.uk • Calling (023) 9268 8052 If you would like to find out more You can also read and download about the emergency plan for the leaflets from our website at www. area around the naval base, visit the portsmouth.gov.uk by searching Portsmouth City Council website at ‘Reactor emergency plan’. www.portsmouth.gov.uk and search ‘Reactor emergency plan’. You can get more information on radiation and the REPPIR regulations from these websites: • Public Health England: www.gov. uk/government/organisations/ public-healthengland • Health and Safety Executive: www.hse.gov.uk

7 www.portsmouth.gov.uk

You can get this Portsmouth City Council information in large print, Braille, audio or in another language by calling 023 9268 8052.

Designed by: [email protected] Published: July 2019 Ref: 146.17