EPA s Radiation Emergency Response Program in 2012

Transcription

1 EPA s Radiation Emergency Response Program in 2012 Sara DeCair, Health Physicist Center for Radiological Emergency Management U.S. EPA National REP Conference

2 EPA s Core Capabilities EPA s mission to protect human health and the environment EPA has longstanding capabilities in core programs directly related to homeland security and emergency preparedness: Emergency response/oil and hazardous materials cleanup Solid and hazardous waste management Drinking water and wastewater management/water quality protection Pesticides for crop, livestock, and human health protection Radiation monitoring Research and development Pg 2

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4 EPA Environmental Response Team (ERT) Mission: Support the nation s response, cleanup and renewal of its contaminated land, water and air. Pg 4

5 EPA CBRN Consequence Management Advisory Team (CMAT) Mission: Provide on-site scientific and technical expertise in response to incidences of national significance involving environmental contamination and acts of terrorism related to weapons of mass destruction. Pg 5

6 EPA Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology(ASPECT) The EPA CMAT ASPECT Program is capable of remotely detecting chemicals and radiation using an array of state-of-the-art chemical and radiological detectors, high resolution digital photography, video, and GPS technology combined with sophisticated software applications. Pg 6

7 EPA National Counterterrorism Evidence Response Team Mission: Provide specialized law enforcement management of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incidents. Pg 7

8 EPA Radiological Emergency Response Team (RERT) Mission: Leads or assists federal, state, tribal, and local response efforts before, during, and following a radiological incident. Pg 8

9 RERT Field Assets Field Monitoring Teams Mobile Laboratories (MERLs) Sample Prep Laboratories Scanning Systems (ERGS, Scanner Van) Mobile Command Post Sampling Equipment (all radiation types) Air Samplers (low, med, high volume) RadNet Fixed & Deployable monitors Pg 9

10 RERT Mobile Environmental Response Laboratories (MERLs) Pg 10

11 RERT Sample Preparation Laboratories (SPLs) Pg 11

12 RERT Scanning Systems Pg 12

13 RERT Mobile Command Post Pg 13

14 EPA Radiation Fixed Laboratories National Air and Radiation Environmental Laboratory (NAREL) in Montgomery, AL Radiation and Indoor Environments National Laboratory (R&IE) in Las Vegas, NV Capabilities: Sample Preparation Metals Organics Radiochemistry Pg 14

15 Homeland Security National Lab Capacity/Capability Environmental Response Laboratory Network (ERLN) Pilot program to enhance existing federal and state radioanalytical laboratories Cooperative Agreements awarded to four state labs Emergency response tools rapid methods, training, etc. Implementing proficiency testing (PT) programs ORIA s Homeland Security Lab Capacity Enhancing commercial lab capacity through incident response sample analysis and related lab guidance documents Improving competency training, PT studies, and method validation protocol Identifying a core set of competent commercial labs through audits and other assessment tools Pg 15

16 Radiation Dose Assessment Support EPA participates in the Advisory Team for Environment, Food, and Health with USDA and HHS (CDC and FDA) to provide coordinated advice and recommendations to the State, Coordinating Agency, and DHS concerning environmental, food, and health matters. Pg 16

17 Protective Action Guides (PAGs) Revision of PAGS Manual for Radiological Incidents Refers users to FRMAC Assessment methods The revision is in multi-agency/omb review EPA hopes to publish a proposed revision for public comment in the Federal Register Pg 17

18 National Environmental Radiation Monitoring RadNet is a nationwide, continuously operating environmental radiation monitoring system Air monitoring provides near real-time gamma spectroscopy and beta detection Precipitation, milk and drinking water also routinely monitored Provides the science basis to estimate the effects of radioactive releases on human health and the environment Deployable Fixed Pg 18

19 Fixed Monitoring Station Nationwide, Major Components Air Sampler Radiation Instruments (Gamma Spectroscopy and Beta Detectors) Data Processing and Storing Data Telemetry More parameters with download capability Increased coverage from 30% to over 60% of US population Beta screening instruments Precipitation collectors Pg 19

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21 Deployable Monitoring Station High volume air sampler Low volume air sampler Ambient gamma exposure rate detector Wind speed indicator Electronics and telemetry package Pg 21

22 Nome RadNet Deployables Guam Juneau

23 Providing Data to the Public Pg 23

24 In Conclusion EPA Mission and Special Teams RERT Assets Dose Assessment and PAGs RadNet Questions? Pg 24