Wiley Handbook of Science and Technology for Homeland Security, 4 Volume Set

DEVELOPMENT OF RADIATION COUNTERMEASURES

TERRY C. PELLMAR

Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland

1 INTRODUCTION

With the increasing concerns about the possibilities of misuse of nuclear or radiological materials comes the requirement for appropriate medical treatment of the biological consequences of exposure to ionizing radiation. Radiation injury results from exposure to sources both external and internal to the body. Penetrating radiation, such as high-energy γ rays or neutrons, presents the greatest hazard of external radiation injury. Internal exposures result from the internalization of radionuclides through inhalation, ingestion, or absorption through the skin or wounds. After detonation of a nuclear device, internal exposure is a relatively minor component of the injury. For this reason, efforts to develop countermeasures have focused on the acute radiation syndrome (ARS) resulting from penetrating radiation. With radiological acts of terrorism, scenarios do exist where internal contamination is the primary threat. This article will review the injury that results from radiation exposure and explore some of the efforts in the development of radiation countermeasures. With a long history of research and the recently renewed energy in this area, many agents have already been evaluated and new options continually arise. This review cannot be comprehensive; instead, it presents examples of countermeasures ...