12FICHE Irradiation: definitions BACKGROUND The term external irradiation is used when the source of radiation is located outside the organism. Such exposure can be caused, for example, by a radioactive source which has been thrown away or lost, or by exposure to an industrial irradiator. The irradiation is most often acute, sometimes chronic. • A high total level of exposure of the whole body can cause Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS). • Partial exposure involving just one part of the body can cause a localised acute radiation syndrome. Action priority The priority is to confirm the irradiation, to characterise it (total or partial irradiation of the body) and to evaluate its severity as rapidly as possible in order to determine the medical guidance and treatment of the victims. • Questioning the victims is an urgent priority and serves to fill out of a radiological assessment sheet for each victim. • The investigative elements (circumstances of the event, dosimetric survey) are to be looked for on the actual site of the accident, otherwise they risk being lost definitively. SEE SHEET 5 If there are associated medical-surgical issues to address: the conventional emergency takes priority. From the radiological aspect, the urgent need is to evaluate the dose. This evaluation is based on three types of dosimetry: • clinical: clinical signs and how they evolve over time, • biological, • physical dosimetry. SEE SHEET 12 External irradiation 11 SHEET 40 MEDICAL RESPONSE IN NUCLEAR OR RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY
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