For more information, call Alohil United Wily

The three basic ways to reduce your exposure to health.hawaii.gov or RADIATION www.cdc.gov Decrease the amount of time you spend near the source of radiation. Increase your distance RADIATION from a radiation source. Increase the shielding between you and the radiation source. Shielding is anything that creates a barrier between people and the radiation source. Being inside a building or a vehicle can provide shielding from some kinds of radiation. ,,.

"(lu._-1-/JJ.-_�llitfl'Al'ICl;PARTWiNJO:�U.Tll

The Department of Health provides access to its programs and activities without regard to race, color, national origin (including language), age, sex, religion, or disability.

Write or call our Affirmative Action Officer Hawaii State Department of Health at Box 3378, Honolulu, HI 96801-3378 or health.hawaii.gov at (808) 586-4616 (voice) For more information or referra I within 180 days of a problem. Call 2-1-1

contents updated 3/2004 Whatis radiation? area,contaminating the region and potentially Shielding is anything that creates a barrier increasing people's risk of developing cancer between people and the radiation source. Radiation is a over time. Being inside a building or a vehicle can provide formof energy. shielding from some kinds of radiation. It comes from • Bombing or destroying a nuclear facilitycould natural sources cause a large amount of radioactive material How can I pratedmyseH during a like the sun and to be released. People who received a large uranium in the dose might develop acute radiation syndrome. radiation emergency? soil,and also The surrounding area could also be exposed The most appropriate action will depend on from man-made or contaminated. the situation. After a release of radioactive sources such as x-ray machines,televisions, and materials,local authorities will monitor the levels microwave ovens. of radiation and determine what protective Whatare the health effects of radiation actions to take. Tune to the local emergency How are people exposed toradiation? exposure? response network or news station forinforma­ tion and instructions. If a radiation emergency People are exposed to small amounts of Radiation can affect the body in a number of involves the release of large amounts of radioac­ radiation every day, both from naturally ways depending on: tive materials,you may be advised to "shelter in occurring sources and man-made sources. place,• which means to stay indoors where you Radiation exposure is measured in "rem" units. • The amount of radiation absorbed by the are; or you may be advised to move to another Scientists estimate that the average person in body (the dose) location. the United States receives a dose of about one-third of a rem per year. • The type of radiation Should I take potassiumiodide during A radiation emergency could expose people to • The route of exposure a radiation emergency? small or large doses of radiation,depending on • The length of time a person is exposed to Potassium iodide (Kl) should only be taken in the situation. radiation a radiation emergency that involves the release of radioactive iodine, such as an accident at a Using explosives to scatter radioactive Exposure to very large doses of radiation may nuclear power plant or the explosion of a materials ("dirty bomb") could cause serious cause death within a few days or months. nuclear bomb. A "dirty bomb" most likely will injuries from the explosion. It would probably Exposure to lower doses of radiation may lead not contain radioactive iodine. Kl taken within NOT have enough radioactive material to to an increased risk of developing cancer or three to four hours after cause serious radiation sickness among large other adverse health effectsmany years in the exposure to radioactive numbers of people. However,depending on future. iodine may prevent the dose,people who were exposed to radia­ injury or disease of the tion could have a greater risk of developing thyroid. It does not cancer later in life. How can I pratedmyseH from radiation? prevent injuries or The three basic ways to reduce your exposure: disease to other organs • Exploding a small nuclear device could result in many deaths and extensive property dam­ • Decrease the amount of time you spend near or tissues of the body. age. Large numbers of people could also be the source of radiation. contaminated by radioactive material and • Increase your distance from a radiation source. have symptoms of acute radiation syndrome (nausea,vomiting, diarrhea, reddened skin • Increase the shielding between you and the within minutes to days after exposure). radiation source. Radioactive fallout could extend over a large