Radiological Dispersion Devices

The NIEHS Worker Training Program (WTP) and its awardees provided information, equipment, and training resources to worker populations involved in response and cleanup operations related to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and they continue to prepare for the possibility of future man-made disasters. The following resources are aimed at protecting the health and safety of those responding to a radiological dispersion device (RDD) or "dirty bomb" event. Please visit our Radiation Exposure page for additional resources on radiation, radioactive material and waste handling and disposal, and radiological emergency response.

Training Resources

The National Clearinghouse creates training tools to aid in the development of awareness-level courses or other awareness-level materials. These tools provide health and safety guidance to those involved in disaster response and cleanup activities. Companion booklets are pocket guides that can be distributed with the training and used as a resource when workers are on a disaster site. To order hard copies of these booklets, please complete the Booklet Order Form.

RDD Training Tool

• Protecting Yourself During a Dirty Bomb Response(5.3MB)
• Protecting Yourself During a Dirty Bomb Response(2.3MB)

Federal Links and Documents

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• Radiation Emergency Training, Education, and Tools

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

• Radiation Emergency Preparedness and Response Page
• RDDs/Dirty Bombs Page

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

• Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory: Radiological Emergencies – Tools, Training, and National Assistance for First Responders(2.9MB)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

• Radiation Emergency Medical Management Website

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

• Nuclear/Radiological Incident Annex to the Response and Recovery Federal Interagency Operational Plans

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

• Decontamination, Cleanup, and Associated Issues for Sites Contaminated with Chemical, Biological, or Radiological Materials(9.3MB)
• Radiation Protection Page

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

• Drug Information Related to Radiation Emergencies

Other Links and Documents

Radiological Emergency Response – General Information

• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Preparedness and Response for a Nuclear or Radiological Emergency

Radiological Emergency Response – Guidance Documents

• Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute: Medical Management of Radiological Casualties, Fourth Edition
• Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors: Handbook for Responding to a Radiological Dispersal Device(4.3MB)
• Federation of American Scientists: Decontamination in the Aftermath of a Radiological Attack Presentation(1.4MB)
• Health Physics Society: Background Information on Guidance for Protective Actions Following a Radiological Terrorist Event(164KB)
• Health Physics Society: Guidance for Protective Actions Following a Radiological Terrorist Event(103KB)

Research Articles

• The Application of the Haddon Matrix to Public Health Readiness and Response Planning(110KB)