Radiation Emergencies
CDC has a key role in protecting the public's health in an emergency involving the release of radiation that could harm people's health. This site provides information to help people protect themselves during and after such an event. It also provides information for professionals involved in planning for and responding to this type of emergency.
Your Health and Safety
Protecting Yourself and Your Family
Preparing for an emergency and what to do during an emergency
Health Effects and Treatments
Health effects such as acute radiation syndrome; potential treatments (potassium iodide, Prussian blue, DTPA, Neupogen)
Radiation and Pregnancy
Possible health effects of radiation on pregnant women
Types of Radiation Emergencies
Terrorist events (such as dirty bombs and nuclear blasts) and unintentional emergencies (such as reactor accidents)
Radiation Emergency Toolkits
Public Health Officials
Emergency Services Clinicians
FREE Radiation emergency tool kits are available for ordering.
To order copies, please send an e-mail to cdcinfo@cdc.gov
or call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636); TTY: (888) 232-6348.
Basic Steps to Protect Yourself and Your Family in a Radiation Emergency
If a radiation emergency happens near where people live or work, you can take immediate action to protect yourself, your loved ones, and others around you. This kind of emergency could be a dirty bomb or nuclear explosion, a nuclear power plant accident, or a transportation accident. These actions will protect people in a radiation emergency:
- Get inside and stay inside an undamaged building.
- If possible, shower and change into clean clothes.
- Stay tuned to television or radio for updates and instructions.
Emergency workers and local officials are trained to respond to different types of situations and will give you specific instructions to keep you safe. For more information, please read Protecting Yourself and Family.
Get email updates
To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address:
Contact Us:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Rd
Atlanta, GA 30333 - 800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348 -
New Hours of Operation
8am-8pm ET/
Monday-Friday
Closed Holidays - cdcinfo@cdc.gov
