APPENDIX A: PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Level of risk to responding personnel is based on potential exposure to ionizing radiation and contamination. While PPE easily confers protection from alpha and beta particles, PPE cannot protect against external exposure from high energy and highly penetrating types of ionizing radiation such as gamma rays(see Figure 1). PPE considerations can include a broad spectrum of civilian, military, government, and field expedient options that may or may not be available during an initial response. Table 1 describes PPE levels and Table 2 provides recommended levels of PPE in a radiation emergency. Further details on both Military PPE, or Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) gear and Civilian PPE are described in Tables 3 and 4.

Figure 1. Types of Ionizing Radiation
Table 1. Levels of PPE
Table 2. PPE in a radiation emergency
Table 3. Military PPE - MOPP Gear
Table 4. Civilian PPE in a Radiation Emergency - Radiation Emergency Medical Management (hhs.gov)