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KEEP THIS BOOKLET
This booklet contains information that will be useful to you in the
event of an accident at any nuclear power station in Illinois
THE PURPOSE OF THIS BOOKLET
This booklet provides emergency information for the agricultural community within a 50-mile radius of the
nuclear power stations in Illinois (Braidwood, Dresden, LaSalle, Byron, Clinton and Quad Cities nuclear
power stations). It contains information concerning how you will be notied and what procedures you should
follow in the unlikely event of a radiological emergency at any of these nuclear power stations.
If an emergency results in a release of radioactive material to the environment, you may be advised to take
actions to protect your family, farm animals and agricultural products. This information, along with specic
instructions you will receive over the local emergency broadcast radio stations or through other ofcial news
releases, will help you to prevent or minimize the potential effects of a radiological release on food and
agriculture.
The instructions in this booklet may also be used in response to other kinds of radiological emergencies.
General information on radiation and post-emergency activities is also provided.
Please read this booklet thoroughly
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Emergency Planning Zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Sources of Emergency Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Braidwood, Dresden and LaSalle Stations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Byron Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Clinton Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Quad Cities Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Protective Actions for the Food Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Slaughter Plants, Food Processors and Distributors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Post-emergency Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
General Information on Radiation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Summary of Effects on Radioactive Deposits on Human
Food and Water Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Ofce of Homeland Security
Published December 2023
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EMERGENCY PLANNING ZONES
Two types of Emergency Planning Zones (EPZs) may be referred to in an emergency:
The Plume Exposure Pathway EPZ is the area within an approximate 10-mile radius around
the nuclear power station in which people may be directly exposed to radiation.
The Ingestion Exposure Pathway EPZ is the area within an approximate 50-mile radius
around the nuclear power station in which people may be indirectly exposed to radiation by
eating or drinking contaminated food, milk and water.
SOURCES OF EMERGENCY INFORMATION
In the event of an emergency at Braidwood, Byron, Clinton, Dresden, LaSalle or Quad Cities nuclear power
stations, specic protective action recommendations will be issued by appropriate state or local government
ofcials. Information to prevent or minimize radiation contamination of food products will be provided to you
through at least one of the sources listed below:
• Local emergency broadcast radio stations will provide you with ofcial emergency information. These
stations will also provide additional accident-related information. The radio stations designated for each
nuclear power station are listed below the maps on pages 4-7 of this booklet.
• Your local Cooperative Extension Service Ofce may provide you with information on the protection of
agricultural products through local radio or television broadcasts, newspaper articles or by telephone.
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio broadcasts over tone alert
radios will provide you with up-to-date weather information. The broadcasts may also provide you with
emergency instructions on protective measures.
• Additional emergency agricultural information may be available to you through state or local government
emergency organizations.
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BRAIDWOOD, DRESDEN and LASALLE STATIONS
10-MILE PLUME and 50-MILE INGESTION PATHWAY EPZs
DESIGNATED RADIO STATIONS FOR BRAIDWOOD, DRESDEN
and LASALLE STATIONS ARE:
Grundy County Will County Kankakee County LaSalle County
WJDK 95.7 FM WJOL 1340 AM WVLI 92.7 FM WCMY 1430 AM
WCSJ 103.1 FM WSSR 96.7 FM WIVR 101.7 FM WRKX 95.3 FM
WCCQ 98.3 FM WFAV 95.1FM
WRXQ 100.7 FM WYUR 103.7 FM
Kendall County
WSPY 107.1 FM
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BYRON STATION
10-MILE PLUME and 50-MILE INGESTION PATHWAY EPZs
DESIGNATED RADIO STATIONS FOR BYRON STATION ARE:
WRHL 1060 AM
WYOT 102.3 FM
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CLINTON STATION
10-MILE PLUME and 50-MILE INGESTION PATHWAY EPZs
DESIGNATED RADIO STATIONS FOR CLINTON STATION ARE:
WBNQ 101.5 FM
WJBC 1230 AM
WBWN 104.1 FM
WHOW 1520 AM
WEZC 95.9 FM
WHOW 92.3 FM
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QUAD CITIES STATION
10-MILE PLUME and 50-MILE INGESTION PATHWAY EPZs
DESIGNATED RADIO STATIONS FOR QUAD CITIES STATION ARE:
Rock Island County Whiteside County
WVIK 90.3 FM KCLN 1390 AM
KMCN FM 94.7
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PROTECTIVE ACTIONS FOR THE FOOD SUPPLY
The safety of the food supply within the 50-mile Ingestion Exposure Pathway EPZ could be a concern to
members of the agricultural community in the event of a radiological release. During such a release, both
water and land could become contaminated. Eating contaminated foods and drinking contaminated milk and
water could have a harmful, long-term effect on your health.
State and local government emergency response organizations are prepared to quickly notify and advise
the agricultural community on what actions to take in the event of a radiological emergency. The decision
to recommend protective actions will be based on the emergency conditions at the nuclear power station,
available information on the amount and type of radiation that has been released to the environment and
consideration of the health, economic, and social impacts of the proposed actions.
There are several types of protective actions that will help prevent or lessen the possibility of persons eating
or drinking contaminated food or water:
• Simple precautionary actions to avoid or reduce the potential for contamination of food and animal feeds.
An example would be removing animals from pasture and providing them with stored feed and protected
water.
• Actions to isolate or contain food and prevent its introduction into commerce. An example would be to
restrict or withhold (embargo) the shipment of agricultural and dairy products from the affected areas to
processors or the marketplace.
• Normal food production and processing actions that reduce any contamination that is present. Examples
would include washing, peeling or shelling products to eliminate surface contamination, and freezing,
drying or storing processed products to allow for decay of radioactivity.
The following are more specic examples of protective actions and related information that may be
recommended to the agricultural community by appropriate state or local government ofcials. Location-
specic recommendations will be issued by these ofcials in the event of an actual emergency.
Milk
Remove all dairy animals from pasture, shelter if possible, and provide them with stored feed and protected
water. State or local government ofcials may come to your farm to take milk, feed and water samples for
laboratory analysis to determine whether any of these products are contaminated.
If dairy products are found to be contaminated, it may be recommended that milk and milk products be
withheld from the market. It is possible, however, for milk products contaminated with certain radioactive
materials to be safe for human consumption after proper storage over a period of time. This will allow for
decay of the radioactive materials. The decay may be achieved by freezing and storing fresh milk,
concentrated milk or concentrated milk products. Storage of milk for prolonged periods of time at reduced
temperature is also possible provided ultra-high temperature pasteurization techniques are used during
processing. Using uid milk for the production of butter, cheese, dry milk or evaporated milk may also be
possible.
You will be advised by state or local government ofcials as to what protective actions are appropriate.
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Fruits and Vegetables
Wash, scrub, peel or shell locally grown fruits and vegetables, including roots and tubers, to remove surface
contamination.
If they are contaminated by short-lived radionuclides (e.g., Iodine 131), preserve by canning, freezing or
dehydration and store to allow time for decay of the radioactivity.
Meat and Meat Products
If there is a release of radioactive material to the environment, you may be advised to place meat animals on
protected feed and water and, if possible, provide them with shelter. If livestock consume feed and water
contaminated with radioactive materials, some of the contamination will be absorbed into their bodies and
could then enter the human food supply through meat and meat products. If contamination is veried, state or
local government ofcials may advise that meat and meat products should not be eaten.
Poultry and Poultry Products
Poultry raised outdoors, especially those kept for egg production, should be monitored by taking samples and
performing laboratory tests to determine the presence of radioactive contamination. Poultry raised indoors and
given protected feed and water are not likely to be contaminated. If contamination is veried, state or local
government ofcials may advise that poultry and eggs should not be eaten.
Fish and Marine Life
Fish and other marine life raised in ponds may continue to be harvested unless appropriate state or local
government ofcials have determined through laboratory analysis of samples that they are contaminated.
Samples of water, sh and marine life from open bodies of freshwater should also be analyzed to ensure that
they are safe.
Soils
If state or local government ofcials nd that the soil is contaminated, proper soil management procedures can
be implemented to reduce contamination to safe levels. Idling (the nonuse of the land for a specic period of
time) may be necessary in some cases. However, in situations involving highly contaminated soil, removal and
disposal of the soil may be more appropriate.
Planting alternative crops may also be recommended in some situations. Crops such as cotton and ax could
be substituted for food crops because they contribute little or no radioactive material to the human diet.
Deep-plowing the soil will move radioactive substances below the plant root level, prevent plants from taking
up contaminated nutrients and allow the level of radioactivity to decrease with the passage of time.
State or local government ofcials will let you know what actions are appropriate.
Grains
If grains are permitted to grow to maturity, it is plausible that most contamination will be removed by the
wind and rain. Screening or cleaning should remove any remaining contamination. Sampling and laboratory
analysis will determine if the grain is safe to use. When harvested, contaminated and uncontaminated grains
should be stored separately.
Water
It is improbable that covered wells and other covered or underground sources of water will become
contaminated. Radiation contaminants deposited on the ground will travel very slowly through the soil unless
soils are sandy. It is unlikely that underground water supplies will be affected.
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Water from cisterns and surface sources such as lakes and ponds should not be used.
Close water intake valves from any contaminated water sources to prevent distribution (e.g., irrigation) of
contaminated water. Stored water that is exposed to the open air (such as livestock watering troughs) should
be discarded and not reused.
Honey
Honey and bee hives will need to be sampled and analyzed by appropriate state or local government ofcials if
radioactive contamination is detected in the area. You will be instructed by these ofcials on how to handle the
hives and honey.
SLAUGHTER FACILITIES, FOOD PROCESSORS AND DISTRIBUTORS
Radioactive contamination of milk or food products in an affected area can occur during processing or during
transportation. This can result from exposure to radioactive materials on the ground, in the air and from
contact with contaminated products.
Following a radiological emergency, government ofcials may restrict the movement of food products and
withhold them from the marketplace if they are found to be contaminated. These products should not be
released until they are considered to be safe for consumption or until a decision is made to dispose of them.
You will be instructed how to safely handle and dispose of contaminated food products.
POST-EMERGENCY ACTIONS
The following sections describe post-emergency actions that will occur if contamination is veried.
Re-entry is the temporary entry, under controlled conditions, into a restricted, contaminated area, in all
probability within the 10-mile radius of the nuclear power station. If you have been evacuated from your area,
you may be allowed to return temporarily to your farm when conditions permit. State or local government
ofcials will advise you through the local news media if a decision to permit re-entry is made. You will
receive specic instructions on routes to use and safety precautions to take. Re-entry will allow you to perform
such vital activities as milking, watering and feeding farm animals.
Recovery is the process of reducing radiation in the environment to acceptable levels for normal daily
living. Following the emergency, state and local government ofcials will identify the types and levels of
contamination. They may need to take samples of air, water, soil, crops and animal products from your farm
or business. They will provide you with instructions and assist you in decontaminating your animals, food
and property if such actions are necessary. Contaminated food will be isolated to prevent its introduction into
the marketplace. State and local government ofcials will determine whether condemnation and disposal are
appropriate.
GENERAL INFORMATION ON RADIATION
Radiation and radioactive materials are a natural part of our environment. They are in the air we breathe, in the
food we eat, in the soil, in our homes and even in our bodies. The level of radiation naturally existing in our
environment is called “background radiation.” It may vary greatly from one location to another depending on
related factors such as solar radiation, geographic elevation, soil composition and the presence of radon gases
from the soil and building materials. We also are exposed to sources of man-made radiation such as X-ray
machines and smoke detectors. Commercial nuclear power stations may release small, non-harmful amounts
of radioactive materials to the environment under controlled conditions and during routine operations.
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Radiation dose to individuals that results from radiation exposure is measured in units of millirem. In the
United States, the average background radiation exposure received by each person is about 310 millirems per
year. Each person also receives about 310 millirems a year from medical care sources. An approximate 12
millirems is received from consumer products (including exposure from tobacco use) and occupational and
other environmental sources. The total average exposure per person per year is about 620 millirems. Persons
living near a commercial nuclear power station receive less than one additional millirem per year.
The effects of radiation on people depend on the amount and length of time of exposure, how much of the
body is exposed, how much radioactive material stays in the body, and the general health and age of the
exposed person. The effects of radiation can be decreased by reducing the amount of time the person is
exposed, placing shielding between the source and the person and increasing the distance from the source of
radiation. In general, a yearly dose of 620 millirem from all radiation sources has not been shown to cause
humans any harm.
SUMMARY OF EFFECTS OF RADIOACTIVE DEPOSITS ON HUMAN FOOD AND WATER SUPPLIES
Depending on the amount of radioactive materials released into the atmosphere and the prevailing weather
conditions, people, animals, crops, land and water near the site of the emergency could be affected. The
initial concern would be the condition of fresh milk from dairy animals grazing on pasture and drinking
from open sources of water. Sampling for contamination could occur at the farm, the transfer station or
the processing plant. If contamination of fresh milk and processed milk products is veried, state or local
government ofcials will determine whether to dispose of these products or to hold them until safe for
consumption.
A later concern would be the possible contamination of vegetables, grains, fruits and nuts. The severity
of the contamination’s impact would depend on the time of the year the emergency occurred. The time
approximately prior to or during harvest is the most critical period. Crops will be sampled and analyzed by
the appropriate government ofcials to ensure that they are safe to eat.
An additional concern would be the possible impact of the contamination on livestock and poultry. Pasture,
feed and water sources, as well as meat and poultry products, will be sampled and analyzed to ensure that the
meat and poultry products are safe to eat.
Contamination of drinking water supplies is not likely to be signicant. If it occurs, it will probably affect
only surface water supplies and not ground water wells or underground water sources. The safety of water
would be determined by sampling public and private sources. If land becomes contaminated, proper soil
management techniques can be implemented to reduce contamination of crops grown on the land. The
procedures recommended would depend on the severity of contamination and the specic crops to be grown.
In conclusion, while it is unlikely that a serious radiological emergency will occur in this country, it is
important to be prepared for such an event. The information in this booklet may help you more effectively
respond to such an emergency.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If you would like additional booklets or other information, or have questions concerning radiation, please
contact the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Ofce of Homeland Security, REP Program
Manager, (217) 782-7860.
Printed by Authority of the State of Illinois 12-23 IOCI 24-0958 100 copies
Illinois Emergency Management Agency
and Ofce of Homeland Security
1035 Outer Park Drive
Springeld, Illinois 62704
2023/2024 EMERGENCY INFORMATION - KEEP THIS BOOKLET ACCESSIBLE
