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Radiation from Japan--The Next White Powder Issue?

If you remember the white powder incidents that happened after the anthrax attacks of 2001, guess what--radiation from Japan may be the next issue to be delt with.

Following the anthrax attacks of 2001 first responder organizations were responding to multiple "white powder" incidents on a daily basis.

 

They examined more coffee creamer and sugar spills than anything else, but is was a huge drag on resources.  I recall we had an emergency responder huddle at the time to figure out what our protocols would be when called to a white powder incident.  Procedures where shared with administrative staff should they encounter any white powder during the performance of their duties.

 

Now with the radiation cloud reaching the United States along with planes, ships and automobiles--what will the public's reaction be to these events?  While there is no visual indication of radiation like there was with white powder, some may still jump on the issue and buy their own radiation detectors.  These devices in the hands of untrained individuals without information on background radiation sources, etc. could cause a whole host of issues for first responders.  Or, it could just be imaginations gone wild by people encountering products "made or grown in Japan."

 

Consider this just a warning order of a potential issue to be dealt with.  Now might be a good time to figure out how you will react to these events if and when you are called to respond.

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