EPA Updating Radiation Protective Action Guides

EPA is seeking public comment on a proposed revision of the current PAG Manual: The update, titled “PAG Manual: Protective Action Guides and Planning Guidance for Radiological Incidents,” includes new science, expands the document relevancy to more than just nuclear power plants and incorporates recent guidance on re-entry, cleanup and waste disposal.

• Federal Register notice of availability (PDF) (12 pp, 96.0 MB, pre-publication, signed April 5, 2013)
• Draft PAG Manual for Interim Use and Public Comment (PDF)(86 pp, 842.86KB, pre-publication, March 2013)
• About the Proposed Revisions

In the event of a radiological emergency, responders can instruct the public to take protective actions such as staying indoors to prevent exposure to unhealthy amounts of radiation. EPA developed a manual of Protective Action Guides to help responders plan for radiation emergencies.

• Updates to the PAG Manual
• Protective Action Guides (PAGs)
• About the PAG Manual
• Training
• Other Radiation Response Guidance

Protective Action Guides (PAGs) suggest precautions that state and local authorities can take during an emergency to keep people from receiving an amount of radiation that might be dangerous to their health. EPA developed the PAG Manual to provide guidance on actions to protect the public, such as having people evacuate an area or stay indoors.

EPA developed the PAG Manual-- to provide guidance on protective actions and when to take them. The manual contains radiation dose guidelines that would trigger protective actions like evacuation or staying indoors. The PAG Manual is a planning guide for emergency responders, and does not change federal, state or local environmental standards. Emergency responders can use the manual for any radiation incident, such as spills of radioactive material, the detonation of a radiological dispersal device (RDD) or “dirty bomb” or an accident at a nuclear power plant. (EPA)