Important things overlooked (RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS)

[MichaelHarris]

With what FEMA had already shown us with their response I worry about the unsecured radioactive materials used at the many hospitals and universities in the areas around the damaged areas. In those universities are isotopes such as I-125, I-131, P-32, S-35, as well as many others. The target organs for some of these include bones, and thyroid with half-lives from a few days to many years.

By federal law these places must secure these materials before a storm hits but as we have seen some things just didn't get prepared for this level of disaster. The media outlets have not covered these items at all and for the safety of all of the rescuers and survivors someone should be asking.

If I were involved in FEMA or Homeland Security I would secure these radioactive materials as soon as possible as well as the iradiators the institutions surely have. Not to take away from the storm disaster in any way but an irradiator in the wrong hands could real messy for a small community.

First and foremost the people need to be saved but with these materials floating around we may be saving some contaminated souls.

My wife is a doctor and I used to work in radiation safety, we have both volunteered our services. I hope we're not needed.

[bleever]

1. Yay! You amended the title!

I was the first nomination.

This is a CRITICAL SECURITY-RELATED duty of DHS that they slept right through.

[MichaelHarris]

2. Thank you

I realized I needed to amend the title because it is so important. I only hope someone can notify the proper authorities.

[prairierose]

3. Here's a kick for you.....

this is a very important topic. I worry about the research labs in that area & what other dangerous things have been forgotten about.

[MichaelHarris]

4. I'm looking into

if any level 4 biocontainment facilities are in any of the areas hit. Just a guess but I'm pretty sure there are some at the universities and medical school.

Edit: NIAID funds 11 new biodefense labs
Federal health officials yesterday announced grants to build 11 new biodefense laboratories around the country, including two that will be authorized to study the most dangerous pathogens.

Oct 1, 2003 (CIDRAP News)In addition, the agency announced grants of between $7 million and $21 million each for nine "Regional Biocontainment Laboratories," which will include BSL-3 and BSL-2 space. Those facilities will be at Colorado State University, Fort Collins; Duke University, Durham, N.C.; Tulane University, New Orleans; the University of Alabama at Birmingham; the University of Chicago, Argonne, Ill.; the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark; the University of Missouri, Columbia; the University of Pittsburgh; and the University of Tennessee, Memphis.

Well, that answers that question