Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (OR I A)
Fact Sheet
Revision of the "PAG Manual: Protective Action Guides and Planning
Guidance for Radiological Incidents"
What are Protective Action Guides (PAGs)?
In the event of a radiological emergency, decision-makers can direct the members of the public to take
protective actions to avoid exposure to unhealthy amounts of radiation. Protective Action Guides (PAGs) are
radiation dose guidelines that trigger protective actions such as evacuation or staying indoors.
EPA developed a Manual of Protective Action Guides (the "PAG Manual") to help federal, state and local
authorities decide how to protect the public during radiological emergencies. Emergency response organizations
use the guidance in the PAG Manual in their emergency response planning.
PAGs are for use only in emergencies. PAGs are not legal radiation limits, and do not supersede any
environmental laws or regulations. The PAG Manual provides emergency responders with flexible guidance on
protective actions because every incident is different. State and local officials can take actions to protect the
public based on incident-specific conditions.
Why has EPA updated the PAG Manual?
The last version of the PAG Manual was issued in 1992. Since then, there have been advancements in scientific
understanding of radiation dose and risk to human health. EPA worked with multiple federal agencies including
the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Energy,
Department of Health and Human Services, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Occupational Safety and Health
Admini strati on and Department of Defense to develop the revised PAG Manual. EPA believes that guidance
based on the best available science can help local authorities save lives and minimize the impact of a
radiological emergency. Local authorities rely on EPA guidance to keep their emergency response plans up-to-
date with the most current science.
EPA is soli citing input from the publi c on this proposed revision of the PAG Manual, and will consider the
comments received when writing the final document.
This proposed revision to the PAG Manual includes updated dose calculations based on the latest science. A
number of other changes in the revised PAG Manual are based on lessons learned from actual radiological
emergencies, including the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident. Significant changes in the new manual
include—
• Use of PAGs in Different Types of Radiological Emergencies: The updated PAG Manual now
applies to a broader range of radiological emergencies, including terrorist acts. The 1992 version, while
it applied to all radiological emergencies, was heavily focused on nuclear power plant incidents.
U ruled St*1&5
Environmental Protection
Agency
United States Environmental Protection Agency	Office of Radiation and indoor Air (6608J)	PAG Manual Fact Sheet | April 2013
Page 1	http://www.epa.gov/radiation/rert/pags.html

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Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (OR I A)
•	Food Guidance: Planners are referred to current guidance on radioactive contamination in food from
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The previous version of the PAG Manual included an
older FDA food guidance document that has been significantly updated since 1992.
•	Administration of Potassium Iodide (KI): In this update, EPA has adopted the latest guidance from
FDA on administration of a potassium iodide (KI), a compound that inhibits the thyroid's uptake of
radioactive iodine taken into the body. (Note: Administration of KI is an appropriate protective action
only in emergencies that involve radioactive iodine; it does not provide protection against other
radioactive substances.)
•	Guidance on Reentry: The update contains brief planning guides on reentry to areas from which
people have been removed because of a radiological incident.
•	Cleanup and Waste Disposal Considerations: The proposed revision provides brief guidance for
planning a cleanup process and considerations for planning the disposal of radioactive waste. Cleanup
and waste disposal decisions will involve careful coordination with stakeholders throughout the process.
•	Drinking Water Considerations: EPA is not proposing a specific drinking water PAG at this time.
The Agency recognizes a short-term emergency drinking water guide may be useful for public health
protection during a large-scale incident, as demonstrated by the Fukushima nuclear power plant
accident. EPA asks for public comments on this subject.
When would the PAG Manual be used?
The PAG Manual provides federal, state, and local emergency planners with guidance they can use in their
emergency response plans. It provides information for each phase of a radiological incident—
•	Early or Emergency Phase: This is the beginning of the incident, when immediate decisions must be
made about actions to protect the public. This phase can last hours to days.
•	Intermediate Phase: This period, lasting weeks to months, begins after the radiation releases have been
brought under control, and reliable environmental measurements are available for use as a basis for
decisions on protective actions.
•	Late or Recovery Phase: This period, lasting months to years, is no longer a response to an
emergency. Activities during this phase support site restoration and cleanup.
Where can I find more information?
Visit our web page to learn more and download the PAG Manual:
http://www.epa.gov/radiation/rert/pags.html
U ruled St*1&5
Environmental Protection
Agency
United States Environmental Protection Agency	Office of Radiation and indoor Air (6608J)	PAG Manual Fact Sheet | April 2013
Page 2	http://www.epa.gov/radiation/rert/pags.html

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