News Archive

The National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) is proud to announce the publication of NCRP Statement 15, Respiratory Protection Recommendations for Workers and Volunteers Responding to a Nuclear Incident Outside the Affected Area.

After a large-scale nuclear incident (e.g., detonation of a nuclear weapon) a large population may be displaced, and many may be contaminated with radioactive materials. Outside the radioactive fallout zone, staff and volunteers at public shelters, community reception centers (CRCs), or other locations will be providing contamination screening, decontamination, housing, referral, or other types of services. People arriving at these locations may be contaminated with unknown quantities of radioactive material through direct deposition of fallout or resuspension while traveling to these locations.

NCRP has developed a tiered approach with practical recommendations for providing respiratory protection to these workers and volunteers who may be at risk of an inhalation or incidental ingestion hazard generated by arrival and movement of potentially contaminated people. The recommendations do not apply to workers operating in contaminated areas. This statement excludes first responders (law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical services) and first receivers (staff at hospitals) for whom adequate guidance exists.

View or download NCRP Statement No. 15, Respiratory Protection Recommendations for Workers and Volunteers Responding to a Nuclear Incident Outside the Affected Area.