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March 31, 2011

Biological Effects of Radiation Summary

Biological Effects of Radiation Summary
                                                                   ...at the half-way point

In response to the numerous requests for information on the topic of radiological injuries and situational management, we're posting a mid-point summary of our Biological Effects of Radiation series. This series has five segments scheduled. The first three are linked below...the remaining parts (including bibliography and source links) are being written now.

Biologic Effects of Radiation #1: Radiation Basics - A focus on the potential radiation sources, terminology, units of measure...an overview to get started or refreshed on the topic.

Biologic Effects of Radiation #2: Protective Actions and Variables - We try to put a little bit of common sense behind Time, Distance, and Shielding. This installment also looks at the general medical signs and symptoms of exposure/contamination.

Biologic Effects of Radiation #3: Effects of Radiation on the Body - look at biological effects, acute radiation sickness and associated symptoms and syndromes.

Links and References
You'll also find these links and references useful. I've used them, in part and along with references, to put this series together. Again, the complete bibliography will be posted along with the final installment of the series. 

Radiation Injury Treatment Network

Radiation Emergency Medical Treatment (from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

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March 20, 2011

Redefining Disaster

Tragedy in Japan is redefining the term Disaster

Multiple natural disasters resulting in technological failure and further devastation...An earthquake of historical magnitude, a ferocious tsunami, and failure of at least three nuclear power plants. The only thing missing from the global tragedy unfolding in Japan is Godzilla.

Japan may well be suffering the type of event that only us cataclysmic/apocalyptic emergency management thinkers can dream up for our next training event. And having been accused of being “too apocalyptic” myself I can appreciate this line of thinking.

The earthquake, tsunami, and resultant damage to nuclear power pants in Japan have been compared to the earthquake that crushed Haiti, the tsunami that washed out Sri lanka, and the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl;  with these comparisons many people are drawn conclusions of disease and radioactive fallout. With all this in mind I think it's important that we look at some differences between Japan in other areas of the globe before making any doomsday predictions.

 Many sources have predicted and warned about emerging infectious disease and disease spread related to the situation in Japan. Many sources have also cited the disease spread and contamination concerns attributed to the natural disasters in Haiti and Sri Lanka. When it comes to evaluating the earthquake and tsunami in comparison to natural disasters in Haiti and Sri Lanka we have to remember some important differences between these areas and Japan. Japan has superior infrastructure. That is, Japan enjoys a good healthcare system, a culturally stable state of health among its population and excellent infrastructure which includes sanitation.  I do not believe that long-term disease spread (as has been predicted) or new emerging diseases will come from Japan as a result of the devastation and death.

There have been a number of predictions regarding the radiation spread within the country of Japan itself and to other nations… most notably the United States West Coast. The historical references drawn to make these predictions have included nuclear detonations over Nagasaki and Hiroshima during World War II. Some sources have looked at more recent nuclear events such as Three Mile Island here in the United States and Chernobyl in this former Soviet Union. The first point to make on these nuclear fallout predictions is that the nuclear event in Japan is unprecedented. Never before have we seen multiple nuclear reactors with their fuel rods exposed, containment breached, and suffering such catastrophic failure. This alone should be cautionary to making any predictions.  I believe that any comparison to the nuclear detonations during World War II to be inappropriate. Nuclear weapons detonate high above the ground and place radioactive material higher in the atmosphere… which allows that material to spread a greater distance. That does not seem to be the case in Japan now. Radioactive fallout from these reactors seems to be contained within 50 to 100 miles.  In order to compare to the more recent nuclear power plant events we should review a little about each case.

March 28, 1979 at the 3 Mile Island nuclear power facility: a power failure and water pump failure resulted in loss of reactor cooling which spilled the Xeon 133 and iodine 131 onto the containment room floor. There was very little radiation detected outside the structure and no reports of injuries or long-term illness as a result. Despite that, the psychological impact was and remains high.

April 1986 Chernobyl: a power instability resulted in a steam explosion powerful enough to lift the reactors 90 ton  cover. The explosion resulted in 31 deaths, 135,000 people evacuated, and a release of iodine 131, cesium 137 in Xeon. Perhaps the most important  implication for Japan related to the Chernobyl event is the recovery and stabilization of the situation.

March 15, 2011

Russell C. Hogue, Paramedic

The EMS community in Rochester, New York, is mourning the loss of Paramedic Russ Hogue. 

God must have needed another hero...and so an angel who protected us on earth now watches over us from heaven.
Russ, like so many EMS professionals, worked numerous jobs. He was a paramedic with Rural/Metro Rochester and Spencerport (NY) Ambulance. He passed away while on duty at Spencerport, March 12, 2011. He was 45 years old. 

I got to know Russ while he was a student in the Monroe Community College Paramedic Program. We had much in common...particularly, we both have large families. Russ was more than a caring provider who touched many lives. He was one of those paramedics that truly loved what he did. I respected him greatly for the way he conducted himself. He wanted to be a paramedic because it was an honorable thing to do...not for lights, not for sirens, not for glory...for others. 

People gravitated towards Russ. Perhaps it was the calm demeanor. Perhaps his dedication. Maybe it was simply because Russ was just a down-to-earth good guy. And that is how I'll remember him.
 
Our prayers are with his family as a community mourns with them.

As printed in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Russell C. Hogue

Scottsville: 3/12/2011 (formerly of Nova Scotia, Canada) Passed away suddenly at the age of 45. Survived by his loving wife Patricia; children, Stephanie (Nova Scotia), Paul, Patrick, Ian, Alex, Madison, Colin (at home); parents, Paul and Judy Hogue; mother and father-in-law, James and Louise Boyle; brother, Jeffrey (Leslie) Hogue; several nieces and nephews, sister and brother-in-laws (Nova Scotia) and many dear friends.

In addition to being a dedicated husband and father, Russ was President of the Scottsville Fire Corporation, a paramedic with Rural Metro and Spencerport Ambulance and a volunteer at Scottsville Ambulance. He committed his life to service of others, will remain in our hearts and deeply missed.

Family & friends may call at the Scottsville Fire Department, 385 Scottsville-Mumford Road, Scottsville on Wednesday from 4-8PM. Rite of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday at 10AM at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Scottsville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family. To leave an online condolence, please visit: www.ScottsvilleFuneralHome.com

March 13, 2011

Setbacks

I've had a few setbacks recently.

Enough to curtail my blogging and podcasting for a while. Enough to make me question what I'm doing and why I'm bothering to do it.

Just as I was about to hit the "delete this blog" button...literally had the mouse on the button...I received an email from a long-time supporter that provided a much needed moment of pause.

Thank you, Ted.