Final answer:
It's crucial to establish background radiation levels outside the contamination area in a radiological or nuclear incident, for the safety and proper response planning. Radiation protection involves minimizing time in radioactive environments, maintaining distance, and using shielding to reduce exposure.
Step-by-step explanation:
At a radiological or nuclear incident, it is important to establish background radiation levels outside the suspected contamination area. This step is crucial for determining the extent of contamination and for planning subsequent response efforts such as evacuation or decontamination procedures. Positioning apparatus downwind or conducting immediate overhaul might expose personnel to hazardous conditions, and it is essential to decontaminate exposed victims properly before releasing them, which requires thorough assessment beyond immediate release.
Radiation protection measures emphasize minimizing time in radioactive environments, maximizing distance from radiation sources, and utilizing shielding such as lead to reduce exposure. Devices like Geiger counters, scintillators, and dosimeters are essential for detecting and measuring radiation to ensure the safety of first responders and the public.