Title:
Spatial and Temporal Dependence on Nuclear Fallout Contamination: Implications on Selection of Screening Criteria and Safety of Public Health Staff
Spatial and Temporal Dependence on Nuclear Fallout Contamination: Implications on Selection of Screening Criteria and Safety of Public Health Staff
Author(s)
Samuels, Caleigh E. H.
Advisor(s)
Hertel, Nolan E.
Ansari, Armin J.
Ansari, Armin J.
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Abstract
Following a nuclear detonation, large populations are likely to become externally contaminated due to direct deposition or resuspension of nuclear fallout. Those who are potentially contaminated will be screened to determine the necessity of immediate decontamination. Several organizations have published screening criteria for external contamination following mass exposure events; however, inconsistencies remain among these values. Following a nuclear detonation, the isotopic composition of fallout changes rapidly further complicating the selection of an appropriate screening criterion. Atmospheric dispersion causes additional variation in the isotopic composition with respect to distance due to varying particle sizes.
This work used the Defense Land Fallout Interpretive Code (DELFIC) and the Oak Ridge Isotope Generation Fallout Analysis Tool (ORIGEN-FAT) to develop a temporally and spatially dependent isotopic composition database of fallout contamination following detonation of a 10-kT uranium-fueled device. Monte Carlo simulations were used to derive air kerma rate, meter response, and dose rate coefficients for each radionuclide contained in the database. Along with the isotopic composition database, these coefficients were used to evaluate the application of published screening criteria to nuclear detonation response efforts in terms of dose to the contaminated individual and the associated dose to public health staff.
This work identifies screening criteria that resulted in doses below the ICRP Publication 103 public skin and effective dose limits to those given instructions for self-decontamination. Higher screening criteria which will prevent deterministic effects were identified for use where resources are limited. Regarding dose to public health staff resulting from exposure to contaminated individuals, the study found that exposures exceeding the ICRP Publication 103 occupational dose limits was unlikely regardless of time or distance from ground zero.
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Date Issued
2021-07-30
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Text
Resource Subtype
Dissertation