17.7 Radioactive Decedents
217
possible, shielded to reduce radiation dose rates to less than 1 mGy h
−1 . This survey
will also make it possible to identify the presence of high levels of contamination
as well as radiation dose rates that, while not hazardous, might call for stay time
restrictions or other radiation safety precautions among those examining or handling
the remains.
When the Medical Examiner’s work has been completed the body can be released
to the family for final arrangements. Some religious faiths require preparation of
the body for burial and/or a family member to accompany the body; unless the
body contains high-activity embedded fragments it should not pose a risk to family
members or to those conducting burial preparations.
Both CDC and NCRP advise against cremation to prevent contamination of the
furnace and release of radioactivity into the environment. They also note that any
embedded fragments will remain in the ash and might expose crematory personnel
to elevated levels of radiation. If the decision is made to scatter the decedent’s
ashes, CDC recommends waiting for ten half-lives if possible, although this will
not be possible for longer-lived radionuclides (Co-60, for example, has a half-life
of 5.27 years and a ten-half-life delay amounts to more than 50 years). Burial is
preferred, ideally in a sealed metal casket placed into a plastic-lined concrete vault
to delay the release of radioactivity into the environment. The CDC also notes that
it would be prudent to place a discreet warning label on the casket noting the date,
the presence of radiation and/or contamination, and the dose rate emanating from
the body.
References
1. Akashi M (2012) Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident and radiation exposure. JMAJ 55(5):393–
399
2. American College of Radiology (2006) Disaster preparedness for radiology professionals:
response to radiological terrorism, government version 3.0. American College of Radiology
3. Balicer R, Catlett C, Barnett D, Thompson C (2011) Characterizing hospital workers’ willingness to respond to a radiological event. PLoS ONE 6(10):e25327. https://doi.org/10.1371/jou
rnal.pone.0025327.AccessedNovember22,2020
4. Bolch W, Hurtado J et al (2012) Guidance on the use of handheld survey meters for radiological
triage: time-dependent detector count rates corresponding to 50, 250, and 500 mSv effective
dose for adult males and adult females. Health Phys 102(3):305–325
5. Breitenstein B (2003) The medical management of unintentional radionuclide intakes. Radiat
Prot Dosimetry 105(1–4):495–497
6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2007) Guidelines for handling decedents
contaminated with radioactive materials. CDC, Atlanta
7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2014) Population monitoring in radiation
emergencies, 2nd edn. CDC, Atlanta
8. Coleman C, Adams S, Adrianopoli C et al (2012) Medical planning and response for a nuclear
detonation: a practical guide. Biosecur Bioterror 10(4):346–371
9. Goans R (2001). Update on the treatment of internal contamination. In: Ricks RC, Berger ME,
O’Hara FM (eds) The medical basis for radiation-accident preparedness: the clinical care of
victims. Proceedings of the fourth international REAC/TS conference on the medical basis for
radiation accident preparedness, Orlando, pp 201–216
217
possible, shielded to reduce radiation dose rates to less than 1 mGy h
−1 . This survey
will also make it possible to identify the presence of high levels of contamination
as well as radiation dose rates that, while not hazardous, might call for stay time
restrictions or other radiation safety precautions among those examining or handling
the remains.
When the Medical Examiner’s work has been completed the body can be released
to the family for final arrangements. Some religious faiths require preparation of
the body for burial and/or a family member to accompany the body; unless the
body contains high-activity embedded fragments it should not pose a risk to family
members or to those conducting burial preparations.
Both CDC and NCRP advise against cremation to prevent contamination of the
furnace and release of radioactivity into the environment. They also note that any
embedded fragments will remain in the ash and might expose crematory personnel
to elevated levels of radiation. If the decision is made to scatter the decedent’s
ashes, CDC recommends waiting for ten half-lives if possible, although this will
not be possible for longer-lived radionuclides (Co-60, for example, has a half-life
of 5.27 years and a ten-half-life delay amounts to more than 50 years). Burial is
preferred, ideally in a sealed metal casket placed into a plastic-lined concrete vault
to delay the release of radioactivity into the environment. The CDC also notes that
it would be prudent to place a discreet warning label on the casket noting the date,
the presence of radiation and/or contamination, and the dose rate emanating from
the body.
References
1. Akashi M (2012) Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident and radiation exposure. JMAJ 55(5):393–
399
2. American College of Radiology (2006) Disaster preparedness for radiology professionals:
response to radiological terrorism, government version 3.0. American College of Radiology
3. Balicer R, Catlett C, Barnett D, Thompson C (2011) Characterizing hospital workers’ willingness to respond to a radiological event. PLoS ONE 6(10):e25327. https://doi.org/10.1371/jou
rnal.pone.0025327.AccessedNovember22,2020
4. Bolch W, Hurtado J et al (2012) Guidance on the use of handheld survey meters for radiological
triage: time-dependent detector count rates corresponding to 50, 250, and 500 mSv effective
dose for adult males and adult females. Health Phys 102(3):305–325
5. Breitenstein B (2003) The medical management of unintentional radionuclide intakes. Radiat
Prot Dosimetry 105(1–4):495–497
6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2007) Guidelines for handling decedents
contaminated with radioactive materials. CDC, Atlanta
7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2014) Population monitoring in radiation
emergencies, 2nd edn. CDC, Atlanta
8. Coleman C, Adams S, Adrianopoli C et al (2012) Medical planning and response for a nuclear
detonation: a practical guide. Biosecur Bioterror 10(4):346–371
9. Goans R (2001). Update on the treatment of internal contamination. In: Ricks RC, Berger ME,
O’Hara FM (eds) The medical basis for radiation-accident preparedness: the clinical care of
victims. Proceedings of the fourth international REAC/TS conference on the medical basis for
radiation accident preparedness, Orlando, pp 201–216