Skip Global navigation and goto content

It's a New Day in Public Health.

The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

Skip MegaMenu and goto content
Megamenu requires javascript to be enabled in your browser.

Links to Other Radiation Information and Sites

Contact the Bureau of Radiation Control

Radiation Machine Information

American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology — An organization of physicians and scientists designed to disseminate the results of scientific research, promote excellence in patient care and provide opportunities for educational and professional development.

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) — Title 21, Part 1020 CFR, which contains regulations for the manufacture of radiation machines, can be found here along with other CFR Titles.

FDA - Whole-Body Computed Tomography (CT) Screening  — Contains the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's statements on the use of CT as a preventive or proactive healthcare measure for healthy individuals who have no symptoms or suspicion of disease. The site also discusses how FDA regulates CT, how a CT machine works, and the radiation risks of CT.

FDA's Radiation-Emitting Products — The Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) is the part of the U. S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) that regulates the manufacture of radiation-emitting devices like x-ray machines.

Mammography Quality Information — This FDA site contains the federal Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) rules, a small business guide to implementing the rules, and GAO reports on the effectiveness of the MQSA program.

NVLAP Certified Dosimetry Vendors — This is a NIST directory of current NVLAP accredited labs. To find labs who are accredited to process personnel dosimeters used to monitor exposure to ionizing radiation, select "Ionizing Radaition Dosimetry" under the Program drop down.

Radioactive Material Information

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) — Title 49 CFR, which contains regulations for transporting hazardous material, can be found here along with other CFR Titles. This site is maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration.

Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD) — A nonprofit organization of state and local government employees who regulate the use of radiation. CRCPD's mission is "to promote consistency in addressing and resolving radiation protection issues, to encourage high standards of quality in radiation protection programs, and to provide leadership in radiation safety and education."

NRC Generic Communications — Contains NRC Information Notices, Generic Letters, Circulars, Bulletins and Administrative Letters.

NRC Office of State and Tribal Programs — Information about NRC activities that directly impact states.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) — NRC's home page.

Radiologic Technology Information

American Registry Of Radiologic Technologists — The ARRT was founded in 1922 for the purpose of recognizing (certifying) individuals qualified in the safe and effective application of x-rays for medical purposes. Over the years the scope of ARRT's certification activities has expanded, but the fundamental purpose remains the identification of individuals qualified to practice in the profession of radiologic technology.

American Society Of Radiologic Technologists — The American Society of Radiologic Technologists is the oldest and largest national professional association for technologists in the radiologic sciences.

Continuing Education (CE) Providers — A list of CE providers offering courses approved by the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Radiation Control, Radiologic Technology Program for renewal of Florida radiologic technologist certification.

Nuclear Medicine Technologist Certification Board — NMTCB was founded in 1977 to establish and maintain a voluntary program for certification of nuclear medicine technologists by nuclear medicine technologists.

Radiological Society North America — The mission of the RSNA is to promote and develop the highest standards of radiology and related sciences through education and research.

Society Of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging — SNMMI is an international scientific and professional organization founded in 1954 to promote the science, technology and practical application of nuclear medicine, molecular imaging and radionuclide therapy. Membership consists of 17,000 physicians, technologists, physicists, pharmacists, scientists, laboratory professionals, and others committed to advancing nuclear medicine and molecular imaging.

Emergency Preparedness and Response

In cooperation with the US Centers for Disease Control, Florida conducted an emergency response exercise which simulated the use of a radiological dispersal device (also known as a "dirty" bomb) on a population. A Community Reception Center (CRC) was established in an Orange County high school gymnasium to conduct population monitoring and decontamination activities on 200 accident "victims" (played by 100 local volunteers who made multiple trips through the center). For more information, see the Florida 2011 CRC After Action Report (ZIP file, 6.6 MB).

An article, Medical Response to a Major Radiologic Emergency: A Primer for Medical and Public Health Practitioners is available in the journal Radiology which describes the medical responses needed following a radiologic or nuclear incident, including the symptoms of and specific treatments for acute radiation syndrome and other early health effects. The Bureau wishes to thank the article's authors and the Radiology staff for recognizing the importance of this article to the public health, medical and emergency response communities, and for granting permission to make the article available via our web site. Citation: Wolbarst A B, Wiley Jr. A L, Nemhauser J B, et al. Medical response to a major radiologic emergency: a primer for medical and public health practitioners. Radiology 2010;254:660-677.

The Radiation Emergency Medical Management (REMM) office of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has developed a variety of diagnostic and treatment tools designed for health care providers, primarily physicians, who may have to provide medical care during a radiation incident. The tools are available interactively online and as downloadable apps for iOS, Android, WinOS & MacOS devices.  All tools include easy-to-follow procedures for diagnosis and management of radiation contamination and exposure, guidance for the use of radiation medical countermeasures, and a variety of other features to facilitate medical responses.

The 2006 events in the United Kingdom involving Polonium-210 (Po-210) raised questions about possible public health risks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a Po-210 update stating that U.K. authorities have found no continuing issues of general public health concern. The update also advises persons who visited the Pine Bar of the Millennium Hotel in London, between the end of October through its closure on November 24, 2006, and who have specific concerns about their health, to contact their health care provider, who can advise whether further evaluation or testing is needed. Further information about Po-210 can be found at the U.K. Health Protection Agency, the Health Physics Society, or the International Atomic Energy Agency

CDC's Radiation Emergency Page — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would play a key role in protecting the public health during and after an emergency involving radiation or radioactive materials. To help people be prepared for a radiation emergency, CDC has collected a wealth of information for first responders, health care providers, and the public.

Facts about Diethylenetriamine pentaacetate DTPA (CDC) — Diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (DTPA) can remove certain radioactive materials from the human body, but it must be taken under the guidance of the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS) of the Oak Ridge Institute.

Facts about Neupogen® (Filgrastim) (CDC) — Neupogen® is a drug that was approved for use by the FDA in 1991 for cancer patients with bone marrow damage due to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In 2015, Neupogen® was also approved by the FDA to treat those people who have received high doses of radiation. 

Facts about Prussian Blue (CDC) — Prussian blue can be used, under the guidance of a doctor, to treat people who have been internally contaminated with radioactive cesium (mainly Cs-137) and nonradioactive thallium (once an ingredient in rat poisons).

FAQs about a Nuclear Blast (CDC) — CDC has developed this fact sheet to describe what happens when a nuclear blast occurs, the possible health effects, and what you can do to protect yourself in this type of emergency.

Guidelines for Hospital Response to Casualties from Radiological Incidents (CDC) — This document provides practical strategies for hospitals in preparing for and responding to a radiological terrorism event involving mass casualties.

NRC's Emergency Preparedness & Response Page — The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response assists emergency personnel in rapidly identifying, evaluating, and reacting to a wide spectrum of radiation emergencies, including those arising from terrorism or natural events such as hurricanes.

Potassium Iodide (KI) Fact Sheet — This fact sheet from the Florida Department of Health explains how KI tablets are used to protect the thyroid gland from exposure to radioactive iodine from a nuclear accident. The sheet also contains links to additional information about KI from other organizations.

Radiation Measurement Facts & Terminology (CDC) — This CDC fact sheet explains some of the terminology used to discuss radiation measurement.

*Note: This page contains materials in the Portable Document Format (PDF). The free Adobe Reader may be required to view these files.

*Note: This page contains materials in the ZIP format. The trial version of Winzip may be required to view these files.