The future of biological dosimetry in mass casualty radiation emergency response, personalised radiation risk estimation and space radiation protection

Background: Space radiation is one of the principal environmental factors limiting the human tolerance for space travel, and therefore a primary risk in need of mitigation strategies to enable crewed exploration of the solar system. Methods: We summarize the current state of knowledge regarding potential means to reduce the biological effects of space radiation. New countermeasure strategies for exploration-class missions are proposed, based on recent advances in nutrition, pharmacologic, and immune science. Results: Radiation protection can be categorized into (1) exposure-limiting: shielding and mission duration; (2) countermeasures: radioprotectors, radiomodulators, radiomitigators, and immune-modulation, and; (3) treatment and supportive care for the effects of radiation. Vehicle and mission design can augment the overall exposure. Testing in terrestrial laboratories and earth-based exposure facilities, as well as on the International Space Station (ISS), has demonstrated that dietary and pharmacologic countermeasures can be safe and effective. Immune system modulators are less robustly tested but show promise. Therapies for radiation prodromal syndrome may include pharmacologic agents; and autologous marrow for acute radiation syndrome (ARS). Conclusions: Current radiation protection technology is not yet optimized, but nevertheless offers substantial protection to crews based on Lunar or Mars design reference missions. With additional research and human testing, the space radiation risk can be further mitigated to allow for long-duration exploration of the solar system.

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Externally organized exercises for nuclear emergency response – knowlegde gained from twenty years of practical work as a technical expert adviser for radiation protection

Kerntechnik ◽

10.3139/124.110189 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 76 (6) ◽

pp. 439-443

Author(s):

C. Löffler ◽

P. Schumacher

Keyword(s):

Radiation Protection ◽

Emergency Response ◽

Practical Work ◽

Technical Expert ◽

Nuclear Emergency

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Radiation protection. Performance criteria for service laboratories performing biological dosimetry by cytogenetics

10.3403/03108108 ◽

2004 ◽

Keyword(s):

Radiation Protection ◽

Performance Criteria ◽

Biological Dosimetry

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Emergency Response to Australia’s Black Summer 2019–2020: The Role of a Zoo-Based Conservation Organisation in Wildlife Triage, Rescue, and Resilience for the Future

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11061515 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1515

Author(s):

Marissa L. Parrott ◽

Leanne V. Wicker ◽

Amanda Lamont ◽

Chris Banks ◽

Michelle Lang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Response ◽

State Government ◽

Captive Breeding ◽

Catastrophic Events ◽

Breeding Programs ◽

Leading Role ◽

The Future ◽

The Face ◽

Captive Breeding Programs

Modern zoos are increasingly taking a leading role in emergency management and wildlife recovery. In the face of climate change and the predicted increase in frequency and magnitude of catastrophic events, zoos provide specialised expertise to assist wildlife welfare and endangered species recovery. In the 2019–2020 Australian bushfire season, now called Australia’s Black Summer, a state government-directed response was developed, assembling specialised individuals and organisations from government, non-government organisations, research institutions, and others. Here, we detail the role of Zoos Victoria staff in wildlife triage and welfare, threatened species evacuation and recovery, media and communications, and fundraising during and after the fires. We share strategies for future resilience, readiness, and the ability to mobilise quickly in catastrophic events. The development of triage protocols, emergency response kits, emergency enclosures, and expanded and new captive breeding programs is underway, as are programs for care of staff mental health and nature-based community healing for people directly affected by the fires. We hope this account of our response to one of the greatest recent threats to Australia’s biodiversity, and steps to prepare for the future will assist other zoos and wildlife organisations around the world in preparations to help wildlife before, during, and after catastrophic events.

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Postexposure Interventions to Prevent Infection With HBV, HCV, or HIV, and Tetanus in People Wounded During Bombings and Other Mass Casualty Events—United States, 2008: Recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness ◽

10.1097/dmp.0b013e318187ac66 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 150-165 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Louisa E. Chapman ◽

Ernest E. Sullivent ◽

Lisa A. Grohskopf ◽

Elise M. Beltrami ◽

Joseph F. Perz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Disease Control ◽

Emergency Response ◽

Mass Casualty ◽

Acute Injury ◽

Mass Casualties ◽

Public Health Preparedness ◽

Mass Casualty Event ◽

Public Health Officials ◽

Centers For Disease Control

ABSTRACTPeople wounded during bombings or other events resulting in mass casualties or in conjunction with the resulting emergency response may be exposed to blood, body fluids, or tissue from other injured people and thus be at risk for bloodborne infections such as hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus, or tetanus. This report adapts existing general recommendations on the use of immunization and postexposure prophylaxis for tetanus and for occupational and nonoccupational exposures to bloodborne pathogens to the specific situation of a mass casualty event. Decisions regarding the implementation of prophylaxis are complex, and drawing parallels from existing guidelines is difficult. For any prophylactic intervention to be implemented effectively, guidance must be simple, straightforward, and logistically undemanding. Critical review during development of this guidance was provided by representatives of the National Association of County and City Health Officials, the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, and representatives of the acute injury care, trauma, and emergency response medical communities participating in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Terrorism Injuries: Information, Dissemination and Exchange project. The recommendations contained in this report represent the consensus of US federal public health officials and reflect the experience and input of public health officials at all levels of government and the acute injury response community. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2008;2:150–165)

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(P2-40) Patient Allocation to Hospitals During Mass-Casualty Incidents

Prehospital and Disaster Medicine ◽

10.1017/s1049023x11004845 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 26 (S1) ◽

pp. s148-s149 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

K. Ruettger ◽

W. Lenz

Keyword(s):

Emergency Response ◽

Operations Management ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Working Hours ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Mass Casualty ◽

Rescue Service ◽

Hospital Facility ◽

State Register ◽

Helicopter Landing

Due to the limited resources of specialized hospital departments, the allocation of patients to different hospitals according to severity is an extraordinarily complex and time-critical problem. The emergency capacity was determined for all medical centers (n = 135) in the State of Hessen, Germany, for patients of various triage categories (red, yellow, green) during normal working hours, and during weekends and nights and included logistic specifications of a potential helicopter landing. These data were entered into a state register. Using the data from the “acute-care-register”, a Ticket System was developed that allows operations management to assign patients according to the severity of their condition, urgency, and specialization requirements (e.g., neurosurgery, ophthalmology, pediatrics) to a hospital without exceeding the admission and/or treatment capacity of the hospital/facility. During a non-critical period, the order of allocations depending on the distance from the clinic is planned in advance so that no further modifications are necessary during the acute intervention phase of an emergency response. Additional notification of hospital capacities for severe casualties provided during the emergency response can be easily and immediately supplemented. Due to the relatively low frequency of such emergency responses, a cost-effective concept that is easily adaptable to the respective fields of application was decided upon. The system is a sticker set customized for the respective rescue teams. The sets will be carried permanently in the rescue equipment by the organization manager of the rescue service team. The equipment is not dependent on electronic components. The cost per sticker set is approximately US$50. Keeping track of the patient allocations is assured.

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