Ingestion Pathway Response
2013 Ingestion Pathway ResponseNCEMA Spring Conference
Mitch Burton
Ingestion Pathway Response
Why We Do, What We Do
NUREG-0654 (in revision)
NUREG-0737
FEMA REP-22
COUNTY SOGs (annual revision)
REP Program Manual(New Revision-30 Months)
EPA-400, Letters, NUREGs
29”
NC STATE AND EPZ COUNTY PLANS (annual revision)
Protect the Public.
Ingestion Pathway Response
Who is involved with a possible Ingestion Pathway Response?• Alamance• Alexander• Anson• Bladen• Brunswick• Burke• Cabarrus• Caldwell• Camden• Caswell• Catawba• Chatham• Cherokee• Cleveland• Columbus• Cumberland
• Johnston• Lee• Lincoln• Macon• Mecklenburg• Montgomery• Moore• Nash• New Hanover• Northhampton• Onslow• Orange• Pasquotank• Pender• Perquimans• Person
• Davidson• Davie• Durham• Forsyth• Franklin• Gaston• Gates• Graham• Granville• Guilford• Harnett• Henderson• Hertford• Hoke• Iredell• Jackson
• Polk• Randolph• Richmond• Robeson• Rowan• Rutherford• Sampson• Scotland• Stanly• Transylvania• Union• Vance• Wake• Wayne• Wilkes• Wilson• Yadkin
65 COUNTIES FOR 10 NUCLEAR FACILITIES IN 4 STATES
Ingestion Pathway Response
The Release to the Environment
Ingestion Pathway Response
10-Mile Plume Exposure Pathway“The Release” Direct Exposure
Wind
Ingestion Pathway Response
Wind
50-Mile Ingestion Exposure PathwayExposure from Consumption of Food, Dairy, Water
Ingestion Pathway Response
What happens when a release occurs?
“Protective Action Decision Time”
Ingestion Pathway Response
• What areas to “Shelter-in-Place”• What areas to “Evacuate”• Should Potassium Iodide (KI) be issued to the
general public?
• All of this direction is provided by a computer software that the utility, state and Nuclear Regulatory Commission uses to determine where the contamination is going in the environment…
The decisions to be made are…
Ingestion Pathway Response
Protective Action Recommendations (PAR) come from the Utility
Why the difference between PARs and PADs?
Protective Action Decisions are from the State and EPZ Counties
Ingestion Pathway Response
• Siren Activation• Tone Alert Weather Radio Activation (if applicable for
your jurisdiction)
• EAS Messages• Press Releases• Media Briefings
Once the decisions are made, INFORM THE PUBLIC
Ingestion Pathway Response
• Restricted Area Verification• Relocation if necessary• Re-Entry into the Restricted Area• Return of residents to the once evacuated areas• It is all about the people and animals at this point…
– Limited resources– Food, dairy and water will be
isolated from getting into the markets at first.
THE RELEASE HAS STOPPEDNow the other activities…
Ingestion Pathway Response
In combination with Radiation Protection Section, Utility Environmental Monitoring Teams, and the RAP teams; NARAC/FRMAC will release their initial assessment ofthe release path based once again on computer modeling.
Restricted Area Verification
Ingestion Pathway Response
Within 6-12 hours FRMAC will send their Aerial Monitoring System to monitor the ground contamination. Very accurate. Used extensively at the Fukushima event. Along with ground sampling teams this will provide enough information to determine if other areas of the population would require Relocation.
Restricted Area Verification, continued
Ingestion Pathway Response
• If the flyovers and sampling indicates increased evacuation is required the order will be given to move the affected population out of the area.
Relocation then…
Ingestion Pathway Response
• Need to gain access to areas inside the restricted area for critical missions.– Farmers putting out more feed– Milking cows– Infrastructure– First responders
• This would require a special entry and exit point to the restricted area, briefings, dosimetry, protective clothing, stay times, etc.
Re-Entry Activities…
Ingestion Pathway Response
• For those that were evacuated the first day the attempt is made to return these evacuees to their homes.
• This will be based on verification through sampling and flyovers that there is no contamination in the area or the levels are low enough to allow entry back into their homes.
Return Activities
Ingestion Pathway Response
Once the people/animals are
taken care of what is next…
Ingestion Pathway Response
Airborne Release
VARIABLES. Time of year. Type of soil. Type of water supply system. Weather conditions. Type of vegetation. Type of contamination
Surface and Ground Water
Reservoirs Cisterns
FishSeafoodDrinking
Aquatic Food Chain
Soil and Vegetation
Forage/Grains Fruits/VegetablesGrains
LivestockPoultry
MeatMilk
Fresh and Processed
Deposition
Irrigation
Runoff
PATHWAYS FOR INGESTION
IDENTIFYING THE CONCERNS…
Deposition
EatingDrinking
Ingestion Pathway Response
THREE INGESTION PATHWAYS…
MILK
FOOD WATER
DAIRY
Ingestion Pathway Response
Preventive Protective Actions
• Actions taken are based on best information available at the time of the release.
Actions are usually based on dose projection and other protective action decisions
Ingestion Pathway Response
DAIRY INGESTION PATHWAYRelease
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• Remove From Pasture – Especially Lactating Animals
• Shelter Animals
• Place Animals on Uncontaminated Feed and Water
• Withhold Contaminated Milk From Market
• Storage for Long Periods of Time will Allow for Decay of Radiation (Radioactive Iodine)
○ After 40-50 days Iodine will be gone (8 day half-life)
• Divert Raw Milk
MILK PATHWAY PROTECTION
Ingestion Pathway Response
Deposition on Crops Due to Plume Depletion
Uptake by Plants Due to Irrigation
Contaminated Stream or Well
Deposition on Crop Surfaces Due to Irrigation
FOOD INGESTION PATHWAY
Ingestion Pathway Response
FRUITS & VEGETABLES
• Remove Surface Contamination by…
• Scrubbing• Washing• Brushing• Peeling
WHAT TO DO?
Ingestion Pathway Response
MEAT & MEAT PRODUCTS
• Place Animals on Uncontaminated Feed and Water
• Sheltering
• Monitoring
WHAT TO DO?
Ingestion Pathway Response
POULTRY and POULTRY PRODUCTS• Monitor Poultry if They are Raised Outdoors,
Especially if Used for Egg Production
• If Poultry Live Indoors, and Fed Rationed Feed, Contamination is Unlikely
WHAT TO DO?
Ingestion Pathway Response
SOILS• Non-use of the land for a period of time• Planting alternative crops – (Cotton / Flax)• Deep Plowing to Move Contamination Below Root Level• Removal and proper disposal of soil
WHAT TO DO?
Ingestion Pathway Response
GRAINS
• Allow Plants to Grow to maturity for wind and rain can remove some contamination as will time
“Dilution is the solution”
• Mill and Polish
WHAT TO DO?
Ingestion Pathway Response
Drinking Stream Water Drinking Well Water
Contaminated Stream
Contaminated Well
WATER INGESTION PATHWAY
Ingestion Pathway Response
WATER• Cover Open Wells, Rain Barrels, and Tanks
• Disconnect Filler Pipes from Runoff Supplies
• Close Water Intake Valves from Contaminated Sources
GO TO BOTTLED WATER
• Underground Water Supplies Should not be Affected Since Contaminates on the Ground Travel Slowly
• SAMPLE QUESTIONED SUPPLIES – Part of the comprehensive sampling program instituted after an event
WHAT TO DO?
Ingestion Pathway Response
Decisions on Sampling:• Decisions are based on:• Known releases• Dose Projections• Laboratory analysis• Verification
• Sampling Plan• Mobilizing and Deploying Sampling Teams• Laboratory Support
SO WHAT IS THIS SAMPLING PLAN?
Ingestion Pathway Response
Mapping of Various Locations:• Dairies• Land use (individual crop locations)• Water supply intakes and treatment
plants• Food Processing Facilities
KNOWN LOCATIONS OF BELOW ITEMS…Local Cooperative Extensions/Ag is the key
Ingestion Pathway Response
Emergency Protective Actions
• Actions taken to…– Isolate food from commerce– Institute actions necessary (e.g. embargo,
quarantine…)
Ingestion Pathway Response
• Emergency Instructions and Public Information
• Decontamination
• Food and Feed
• Exposure Control
• Disposal
• Regulatory and Enforcement Actions
Emergency Protective ActionsHow does all of this come together?
Ingestion Pathway Response
Emergency Instructions and Public Information• Timely Press Releases• Public Perception• Involve Key Officials • Exposure Prevention• Control and Decontamination• Recommendations to:
• Distributors and Processors• Restaurant Operators• Food Transporters
• Advise Consumers• Use Local Cooperative Extension Service
Ingestion Pathway Response
• Need for Washing:• Animals• Equipment• Houses• Buildings• Food• Processing Establishments
• Need for Soil Treatments
Decontamination
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• Provide Food For:• Emergency Operations Centers• Emergency Response Facilities
• Transporting of:• Safe Drinking Water• Food• Feed
• Assess “Uncontaminated” Feed Supplies
Food and Feed
Ingestion Pathway Response
• Livestock• General Food
Disposal (EPA will provide guidance)
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• Quarantine Agricultural Products• Embargo
Regulatory and Enforcement Actions
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Ongoing Operations with the end in mind, Recovery…• Continue to plot Contaminated • Advise Agricultural Community
of Preventative Actions • Public Information
Messages/Pamphlets• Collect Samples• Issue Emergency Actions as
Required• Continue to Evaluate Ingestion
Data
CONTAMINATION IDENTIFICATION
• Degree of Contamination
• Human Foods
• Livestock Feeds
• Water Supplies
• Controls of the Food Chain, if Necessary
Ingestion Pathway Response
Operations, continued• Within 50-Mile EPZ
• Areas that may be Contaminated• Protective Actions• Livestock Owners• Farmers• Food Processors• Water Supply• Home Gardeners
• Land Use Map• Dairies & Dairy
Processing Plants• Food Processors• Fruits & Vegetables• Meat Processors• Game Lands• Honey• Fish• Water
Reservoirs/Intake Points
Ingestion Pathway Response
Sampling…• Sample collection for…
• Water• Raw Milk• Raw Foods• Pasture Grasses• Animal Feeds• Processed and/or Packaged
Foods• Processed Animal Feeds
• Sample Collection where?• Farms• Water Reservoirs/Intake
Points• Food & Feed Processing
Plants• Retail Distribution Points• Laboratory Analysis -
Radioactivity Levels
Ingestion Pathway Response
Other Potential Issues
• Prioritization of sampling• Contamination• Public Perception• Consumer Confidence• Insurance and Reimbursement
Ingestion Pathway Response
Prioritization of sampling
• Predominant crops and industries• Time of year• Areas effected• Deposition foot-print size
Ingestion Pathway Response
How much is too much contamination?• FDA has guidance on pre-determined level• Called “Derived Intervention Level” (DIL)
– Varies by isotope and food product• If it’s below the DIL but above background…
– Political issue– ANI reimbursement issue
• Two radioactive isotopes are of primary concern:– Iodine 131 (half life of 8 days)– Cesium 137 (half life of ~30 years)
Ingestion Pathway Response
Public Perception• Public information and education is crucial
– The Public Information Officers must stay ahead of the rumors and false information being presented.
– Fukushima event brought out every “expert” providing misinformation throughout the event.
• General public’s distrust of industry• Response organizations must be unified
Ingestion Pathway Response
Consumer Confidence• May not be based in reality:
– Use of DILs for decision making• May be based on fear:
– “Its Radioactive, glowing green”, I’m not going to eat that!!
Ingestion Pathway Response
Public Health• Mental Health issues may become a concern.• “The stresses of personal involvement in the evacuation,
management and cleanup related to the Fukushima nuclear accident have emerged as the biggest factors in ill health for Japanese people” (World Nuclear News)
• Public Information and Public Health working together can greatly reduce the stress in large scale events.
Ingestion Pathway Response
Compensation… how does it work?
PRIMARY INSURANCE LAYER – AMERICAN NUCLEAR INSURERS$375 million available for “reasonable expenses” during evacuation order (and
other expenses as money is available…)
SECONDARY FINANCIAL PROTECTION LAYER
$12.22 Billion($117.495 Million x 104 Reactors)
Congress is required, under the Price-Andersen Act, to “take whatever action is determined to be necessary…to provide full and prompt compensation” for claims resulting in damages that exceed the $12.22 billion layer
Ingestion Pathway Response
Reference Material…
Ingestion Pathway Response
PEOPLEANIMALS
COMMODITIES/CROPSWATER
DAIRY
In all decisions it comes down to ...
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