Proposed protective measures for radiological emergency response in United Republic of Tanzania

The use of ionizing radiation in different practices has become important among the main socioeconomic fields. Despite of safety precautions in design and operations, accidents involving ionizing radiation sources may still occurs. Techniques involving the use of radioactive sources in Tanzania includes: Radiography techniques, Analytical techniques, gauging techniques, Irradiation techniques, Techniques involving unsealed radioactive materials, miscellaneous techniques such as smoke detectors and electrostatic elimination. This utilization represents an important positive contribution to socio-economic development, but the entailed risks for man as well as for the environment require an attention of radiation protection measures. The risks may results from these practices such as importation, transportation, applications, exportation of radioactive materials or handling of radioactive wastes. This paper discusses the proposed basic protection measures that are to be applied in Tanzania in case of radiological emergency. Those protective measures to be explained in this paper includes: control of access and egress, sheltering and shielding, evacuation, personal protective measures, personal decontamination, Decontamination of areas, control of food and water and medical care of overexposed. (author)