Radiation emergencies
The scale and types of radiological and nuclear emergencies may range from an isolated occupational or medical over-exposure of a person, to a major catastrophe with global dimensions. Regardless the scale or a cause of an accident, there is a common
denominator: human health. The International Health Regulations (2005)
include in its’ scope radio-nuclear hazards and countries should meet core national capacities requirements for preparedness and response to radiation emergencies. Public health sector must put arrangements in place
to be able to respond and to provide medical care to people over-exposed to radiation.
WHO and its global network REMPAN assist countries to strengthen preparedness and response to radiation emergencies.
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Exercise JADE 2023: report
All States Parties to the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 must appoint a National IHR Contact Point (NFP) responsible for...
This document describes protocols and practices for ensuring the essential elements of a national stockpile of medical countermeasures for radiation emergencies,...
A framework for mental health and psychosocial support in radiological and nuclear emergencies
The health impact of radiological and nuclear emergencies can last for decades. Lessons learned from past radiological and nuclear accidents have demonstrated...
Management of radioactivity in drinking-water
Chapter 9 of the WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality (GDWQ) provides guidance related to radiological aspects of drinking-water. Management...
Iodine thyroid blocking: Guidelines for use in planning and responding to radiological and nuclear emergencies
These guidelines are an update of the 1999 World Health Organization (WHO) guidance on the use of iodine thyroid blocking (ITB) with a special focus on...
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Related links
Online resources
- Generic Procedures for Medical Response During a Nuclear or Radiological Emergency
IAEA - Manual for First Responders to a Radiological Emergency
IARC - Medical Management of Radiation Injuries
IAEA - Preparedness and Response for a Nuclear or Radiological Emergency
IAEA - Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 - 2030
- TMT handbook : Triage, monitoring and treatment of people exposed to ionising radiation following a malevolent act
- ICRP guidance on Public on Protection in Case of a Nuclear Detonation (2022)
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
- Information on Radiation Emergency Preparedness Service
- Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Information on radiation emergency preparedness and response for the general public and professionals - Radiation emergency assistance centre/training (REAC/ts)
REAC/TS, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) - Radiation Emergency Medical Management (REMM)
from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services HHS/Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response ASPR - Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN)
Information on nuclear and radiological emergency management