Attention
Radioactive Materials Licensee:
The
Westchester County Department of Health requests your assistance with
efforts to reduce the potential hazards of contamination of household
waste with radioactive isotopes. In the course of protecting our
communities from radiation hazards, radiation monitors have detected
contamination at several waste collection sites around the County.
While the contamination has ultimately proven to be at extremely low
levels, the sources have included human excreta from individuals treated
with radioactive iodine for thyroid conditions. The human manpower
and expense to municipalities involved with each incident is
significant.
After several
discussions with veterinary and medical providers, and with officials
from the Radioactive Materials section of the New York State Department
of Health, the Westchester County Department of Health has developed the
enclosed fact sheets (see below) with specific recommendations for the
management of potentially contaminated household waste. Please
make use of this information when counseling patients treated with
radioactive isotopes. By making your contaminated waste storage
facilities available to patients for their own soiled diapers, sanitary
pads, tissues or other similarly contaminated waste products you will be
helping keep our communities free of all radiation hazards.
Fact
Sheets:
Proper
Waste Disposal Procedure for I-131 Patients
Proper
Waste Disposal Procedure Following your cat's Radioactive Iodine Therapy
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Environmental health professionals
work to protect the public from needless radiation exposure. They periodically
inspect all medical and dental x-ray facilities. Staff conduct surveillance around
the Indian Point nuclear power reactors and other facilities which utilize or discharge
radioactive materials.
Radiological training for the Indian Point Emergency Preparedness Plan
involves hundreds of hours annually for, dose assessment, field monitoring and emergency operating
center staff, in preparation for the federally observed drill.
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