Internal contamination cases: The REAC/TS experience

Abstract

The Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site or REAC/TS is a United States Department of Energy (DOE) emergency response asset and part of the National Nuclear Security Administration's (NNSA) Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST). REAC/TS started in 1976 to provide support to the US DOE and is under the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) and operated for the US DOE by Oak Ridge Associated Universities, a consortium of 125+ universities to further science and developing future scientists. As part of the support for the US DOE, REAC/TS is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week for any radiological/nuclear (R/N) injuries or illnesses in the US and throughout the world. REAC/TS was one of the initial eight World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centers, throughout the world, established in 1980 for radiation emergency management and subsequent member of WHO's Radiation Emergency Management Preparedness and Assistance Network (REMPAN). This article will discuss the REAC/TS experience with more recent internal contamination cases and discuss the many gaps existing in assessing and managing cases of internal contamination.