Key points
- Radiation emergencies and non-emergency deaths following a procedure involving radioactive materials could result in radioactively contaminated decedents.
- This page includes health and safety information and guidelines for medical examiners, coroners, and funeral home personnel handling decedents contaminated with radioactive materials.
Resources
A radiological or nuclear emergency, including the detonation of a nuclear weapon or radiological dispersal device, a reactor or transportation accident, or even a non-emergency death after a procedure involving radioactive materials, could result in radioactively contaminated decedents. The following guidelines suggest ways for medical examiners, coroners, and morticians to deal with loose surface contamination, internal contamination, or shrapnel on or in decedents’ bodies.
Guidelines and training
Guidelines for Handling Decedents Contaminated with Radioactive Materials
Training for Handling Radioactive Decedents (Video)
Additional information
Radiological Terrorism: Emergency Services Clinicians Toolkit
Content Source:
National Center for Environmental Health