Combat Application Tourniquet fares well in a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear dress state.

INTRODUCTION: There is a need for a military tourniquet to control catastrophic haemorrhage in a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) threat environment. No published data exist as to the efficacy of tourniquets while wearing British military CBRN individual protective equipment (IPE). METHODS: 12 volunteers from the counter CBRN instructors' course allowed testing on 24 legs. A Combat Application Tourniquet (C-A-T) was applied to all volunteers at the level of the midthigh. 12 legs were tested while wearing CBRN IPE (both operator and simulated casualty), and the control group of 12 legs was tested while wearing conventional combat dress state (both operator and simulated casualty). The order of leg laterality and dress state were sequenced according to a prerandomised system. Efficacy was measured via use of an ultrasound probe at the popliteal artery. Tourniquets were considered effective if arterial flow was completely occluded on ultrasound imaging. Data were collected on time to successful application, failure of tourniquets and pain scores as rated by the visual analogue scale (1-10). RESULTS: There were no failures of tourniquet application in the CBRN group, and two failures (17%) in the control group. Failures were pain threshold exceeded (n=1) and tourniquet internal strap failure (n=1). The mean application time for the CBRN group was 28.5 s (SD 11.7) and 23.7 s (SD 9.8) for the conventional combat group. There was no statistically significant difference (p=0.27). The median CBRN pain score was 2.0 (IQR 2.0-3.5). The median control pain score was 4.0 (IQR 3-6). This was a statistically significant difference (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: C-A-Ts applied to simulated casualties in CBRN IPE at the midthigh are at least as efficacious as those applied to the midthigh in a conventional combat dress state. The pain experienced was less in CBRN IPE than when in a conventional combat dress state.

Secondary sex ratio and trends in the associated gender-specific births near nuclear facilities in France and Germany: Update of birth counts.

Increases in childhood cancer near nuclear facilities in France and in Germany as well as elevated human birth sex ratios after the atmospheric atomic bomb tests and after Chernobyl motivated the inspection of the secondary sex ratio and the corresponding gender-specific birth counts in the vicinity of nuclear facilities. Focus is on which changes in the birth counts go along with significant changes in the sex ratios. Official municipality-specific annual birth counts by sex for all of France and for whole Germany are updated until 2016 and 2017, respectively. Using logistic regression, we determine significant change-points (jumps) after distinct radiological events in sex ratio time-trends in circular areas around pertinent nuclear facilities. With Poisson regression, we quantify the corresponding change-points in the trends of absolute annual birth counts for boys and girls. In the 35-km vicinity of the 'Centre de l'Aube Nuclear Disposal Facility (CSA)' in France in the year 2000, we observe a jump in the sex odds (SO) with sex odds ratio (SOR) 1.101; 95% CI: (1.033, 1.175), p-value 0.0033. This jump in the sex odds can be associated with a drop in boys of 3.44% (-4.02, 10.37), p-value 0.3561, and a drop in girls of 8.44% (1.33, 15.04), p-value 0.0208. In the highly populated area around the nuclear power plant Philippsburg in Germany from 2001 onward, we see a similar effect: SOR 1.027 (1.008, 1.046), p-value 0.0045; drop in boys 5.56% (2.24, 8.76), p-value 0.0012; drop in girls 6.92% (3.62, 10.10), p-value <0.0001. The presented findings corroborate and specify earlier observations and call for intensifying bio-physical research in exposure mechanisms and exposure pathways of natural or artificial ionizing radiation including neutron radiation and neutron activation. Reinforced biological and epidemiological research should aim at clarifying the associated genetic and carcinogenic consequences at the population level.

The Development of an Active Learning Program for the Medical Responders in a Nuclear Disaster.

OBJECTIVE: In Japan, with the revision of the Nuclear Emergency Response Guidelines in 2015, nuclear emergency medical assistance teams responsible for the medical treatment in the acute phase of nuclear disaster have been developed nationwide. The purpose of this research is to develop active learning materials for the education of medical staff, to confirm the educational effect of the materials, and to identify the gaps in nuclear disaster risk reduction in Japan. METHODS: We established a working group and created active learning materials. We trained members of the nuclear emergency medical assistance team using the developed active learning materials and then conducted a questionnaire survey for trainees who participated in the training. RESULTS: Regarding the developed teaching materials, out of 33 trainees, 33 (100%) answered "easy to understand" or "a little understandable" to the item dealing with how to use the radiation detectors and attaching/detaching personal protective equipment. Regarding the simulation about practicing hospital support and medical provision, 3 (8%) answered "a little confusing." CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that the developed materials have an educational effect. Additionally, the results of the trainee questionnaire showed the necessity for improvement in the triage system and new protocols to help both the patients and responders.

Cincuenta años del accidente nuclear de Palomares (Almería). Repercusiones médicas / Fifty years since the nuclear accident in Palomares (Almeria). Medical repercussions

En enero de 1966, 2 aviones de guerra norteamericanos colisionaron sobre el cielo de Palomares (Almería). Uno de ellos transportaba bombas termonucleares que, al impactar con el suelo, liberaron plutonio y otros materiales radiactivos. Inmediatamente se retiraron las tierras y vegetales más contaminados, y se puso en marcha el Proyecto Indalo destinado a estudiar los efectos del material nuclear sobre los habitantes y el entorno de Palomares. Un total de 1.077 habitantes han sido controlados desde entonces, y la versión oficial es que las radiaciones ionizantes no se han relacionado con ningún tipo de enfermedad. Sin embargo, el secretismo ha rodeado gran parte de las investigaciones, y no se ha realizado ningún estudio epidemiológico solvente en la zona. Actualmente quedan en Palomares unos 500g de plutonio y americio. A pesar de que el riesgo para la población parece ser bajo, este material radiactivo debería retirarse lo antes posible (AU)

In January 1966, 2 US military aircraft collided over the skies of Palomares (Almeria). One of them carried thermonuclear bombs, which released plutonium and other radioactive materials upon striking the ground. The most contaminated earth and plants were immediately removed. The Indalo Project was launched to study the effects of nuclear material on the inhabitants and environment of Palomares. A total of 1,077 inhabitants have been monitored since then, and the official version is that the ionising radiation has not been related to any type of disease. However, secrecy has surrounded much of the investigations, and no trustworthy epidemiological study has been conducted in the area. Approximately 500g of plutonium and americium remains in Palomares. Although the risk for the population appears to be low, this radioactive material should be removed as soon as possible (AU)

[Prospects of systemic radioecology in solving innovative tasks of nuclear power engineering].

A need of systemic radioecological studies in the strategy developed by the atomic industry in Russia in the XXI century has been justified. The priorities in the radioecology of nuclear power engineering of natural safety associated with the development of the radiation-migration equivalence concept, comparative evaluation of innovative nuclear technologies and forecasting methods of various emergencies have been identified. Also described is an algorithm for the integrated solution of these tasks that includes elaboration of methodological approaches, methods and software allowing dose burdens to humans and biota to be estimated. The rationale of using radioecological risks for the analysis of uncertainties in the environmental contamination impacts,at different stages of the existing and innovative nuclear fuel cycles is shown.

Implantación de material de bioseguridad: prevención de accidentes biológicos / Implementation of safety devices: biological accident prevention

Las exposiciones accidentales con sangre y material biológico constituyeron los accidentes más frecuentes y potencialmente graves en el personal sanitario, notificados en la Unidad de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales en el año 2002. Objetivos: evaluar la efectividad, en cuanto a la disminución de accidentes biológicos percutáneos, tras la implantación progresiva de material de bioseguridad. Se analizaron los accidentes biológicos notificados de forma voluntaria por parte del trabajador accidentado, desde el año 2002 al 2006, al Servicio de Prevención de un hospital de nivel 2 b, con 238 camas polivalentes y una plantilla de 750 trabajadores. La variable del estudio fue el material de bioseguridad: catéter intravenoso periférico, sistema cerrado de acceso intravenoso sin aguja y lanceta de punción capilar. En el año 2002 se registraron 54 accidentes biológicos vía percutánea y 19 en el 2006 representando una reducción de un 64,8%. No se ha notificado ninguno en el que esté implicado el material de bioseguridad. Los registrados durante el periodo en el que se implantó dicho material se produjeron al no utilizarlo en ese momento. El material de bioseguridad ha demostrado ser efectivo para la disminución en la notificación de accidentes por punción percutánea, constituyendo una buena opción para la prevención primaria de los accidentes por contacto biológico(AU)

Accidental exposures to blood and biological material were the most frequent and potentially serious accidents in healthcare workers, reported in the Prevention of Occupational Risks Unit within 2002. Background: Evaluate the biological percutaneous accidents decrease after a progressive introduction of safety devices. Biological accidents produced between 2.002 and 2.006 were analyzed and reported by the injured healthcare workers to the Level 2b Hospital Prevention of Occupational Risk Unit with 238 beds and 750 employees. The key of the study was the safety devices (peripheral IV catheter, needleless IV access device and capillary blood collection lancet). Within 2002, 54 percutaneous biological accidents were registered and 19 in 2006, that represents a 64.8% decreased. There has been no safety devices accident reported involving these material. Accidents registered during the implantation period occurred because safety devices were not used at that time. Safety devices have proven to be effective in reducing needle stick percutaneous accidents, so that they are a good choice in the primary prevention of biological accidents contact(AU)

Radiation accidents over the last 60 years.

Since the end of the Second World War, industrial and medical uses of radiation have been considerably increasing. Accidental overexposures of persons, in either the occupational or public field, have caused deaths and severe injuries and complications. The rate of severe accidents seems to increase with time, especially those involving the public; in addition, accidents are often not immediately recognised, which means that the real number of events remains unknown. Human factors, as well as the lack of elementary rules in the domains of radiological safety and protection, such as inadequate training, play a major role in the occurrence of the accidents which have been reported in the industrial, medical and military arenas.

General situation of radiation accidents in China.

Information on radiation accidents in China compiled by the health authorities was collected. About 468 accidents were reported in 1988-2004. Detailed data from 1988 to 1998 were analysed. As to the 332 accidents reported in 1988-98, 77.7% of the cases are related to lost sources, 84.64% are liability accidents and five persons died owing to the cases occurring in the application of gamma irradiators. It is essential to improve the data bank to manage radiation sources, and to make sure that the relevant laws, together with professional theory and technical knowledge, are disseminated well and learned by professionals.

Introducción a los campos electro-magnéticos (EMF) inducidos por radiofrecuencia (RF)en el entorno urbano, incluyendo una aproximación a la telefonía móvil / An approach to the electromagnetic fields (EMF) induced by radiofrequencies (RF) in the urban environment, with an approximation to cellular phones (handies)

Con frecuencia nos encontramos con comentarios, especialmente en la prensa general, sobre los efectos en la salud humana de los campos electromagnéticos y las posibles consecuencias de las emisiones de radiofrecuencia, en relación con la telefonía móvil. En este artículo se hace una toma de contacto con la presencia de estos elementos en entornos laborales y urbanos (AU)

Humanity and radiation: the good, the bad, and the unusual.

Radiation has permeated the universe since time began. People disagree widely about the merits and dangers of nuclear technology. Radiation is often associated in the minds of people with bombs, fallout, destruction, and death rather than with the many benefits of nuclear technology that are present in our daily lives. Rarely do individuals focus on the medical applications of radiation and the fact that nuclear technology saves lives. Over the years, accidents have happened in the nuclear industry; some have produced fatalities, but most proved to be a major source of concern only to the local populace. Since the discovery of naturally occurring radium and uranium and the advent of synthetic radionuclides, a number of consumer products have used radiation, some of which were beneficial and some which were of no benefit at all.