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 the core national capacities requirements for response to radiation emergencies. Public health sector must be prepared to respond and to provide medical care to the injured. WHO and its global network REMPAN assist countries to strengthen preparedness and response to radiation emergencies.
Inter-Agency Committee on Radiological and Nuclear Emergencies (IACRNE)
For strengthening coordination in response to radiation emergencies the international organizations with relevant responsibilities have formed IACRNE, where International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is the prime coordinating agency. Functional links have been established between agencies to ensure continuous communication prior to, during, and after emergencies and the arrangements are described in the Joint Radiation Emergency Management Plan of the International Organizations (EPR-JPLAN 2013).
Related links
- WHO work in emergencies
- International Health Regulations (2005)
- IHR Monitoring and Evaluation: Joint Expert Evaluation tool
- Fukushima Five Years on
- WHO REMPAN network
- WHO REMPAN bi-annual e-Newsletters from 2010 to present
- WHO BioDoseNet – global laboratory network
- WHO department of public health and environmental and social determinants of health
- Environmental health in emergencies
Online resources
- New guidelines on iodine thyroid blocking (2017)
- WHO emergency response framework (2013)
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Radiation and protective measures (2011)
WHO fact sheet -
Use of potassium iodide for thyroid protection during nuclear or radiological emergencies
WHO technical brief -
Radioactive contamination of food (2011)
pdf, 184kb
WHO-FAO INFOSAN briefing - Preparedness and response for a nuclear or radiological emergency (IAEA, 2015)
- Criteria for use in preparedness and response for a nuclear or radiological emergency (IAEA, 2011)
- Manual for first responders to a radiological emergency (IAEA, 2006)
- TMT Handbook for management of the public in the event of malevolent use of radiation (WHO et al. 2009)
- Generic procedures for medical response during a nuclear radiological emergency (IAEA, 2005)
- Cytogenetic dosimetry: applications in radiation emergencies (IAEA 2012)
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Development of stockpiles for radiation emergencies (2007)
pdf, 1.98Mb
WHO consultation report