RIT expert helps New York plan for radiation emergencies
A month after 9/11, Dr. P. Andrew Karam Ph.D., CHP (Certified Health Physicist), received a phone call from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Concerned about safeguarding the public from possible future attacks, city officials plied Dr. Karam with questions about radiological terrorism.
Dr. Karam is an internationally recognized expert on the subject. A CBET instructor and faculty member in RIT's College of Applied Science and Technology, Professor in RIT’s Department of Biological Sciences, Dr. Karam has taught and published extensively on the effects of radiation exposure.
That initial conversation with New York City officials led to a series of engagements. Dr. Karam conducted a workshop on radiological terrorism for the New York Police Department, the Fire Department of New York and the NYC Office of Emergency Management. He developed fact sheets on radiological terrorism for emergency responders, medical personnel and the general public. He wrote a radiological health and safety plan for the New York City health department.
Most people have distorted ideas about radiological exposure, Dr. Karam says. They think of Chernobyl and panic. In fact, most of the time all you have to do to stay safe is to go indoors, shut the doors and windows, put the ventilation on re-circulate, and wait it out. Take a shower. Turn on the radio for further instructions.
“Depending on the source, radioactive contamination could be likened to changing a diaper, says Dr. Karam, a father of five. “You don’t want to get it on you and if you do, you want to wash your hands as soon as you can. But it’s not going to kill you.” The key to knowing how to respond correctly to a radiological emergency is education.
Dr. Karam also teaches a Radiation Safety Officer training program and courses on the effects of radiation in medical applications.