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Technological Hazard >> Radiation hazard >> Nuclear and radiological
accidents, protection measures |
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Nature of radioactivity, types of radiation Interaction
radiation with matter Radiation sources,
natural and artificial radiation Nuclear and
radiological accidents, protection measures |
What is Nuclear or Radiological Accident? What is radiological emergency management? What is
Nuclear or Radiological Accident? The average doses of population exposure due to all nuclear industry
and man-made radioactive sources is about 1% from doses due to natural
radiation (see Radiation
sources), but it is not the case of nuclear or radiological
accident. Nuclear
or Radiological Accident – generally refers to events involving the
release of significant levels of radioactivity and exposure of workers or the
general public to radiation. The nuclear (power, military or research)
reactors are the main sources of radiation. The radioactivity of nuclear
reactor core in millions times higher, than any other man-made sources of
radiation. Although construction and operation of nuclear power plants are
closely monitored and regulated, an accident, though unlikely, is possible.
The potential danger from an accident at a nuclear reactor is exposure to
radiation. This exposure could come from the release of radioactive material
from the plant into the environment, usually characterized by a plume (cloud-like)
formation. The size of the area affected is determined by the amount of
radioactive material released from the plant, wind direction and speed, and
weather conditions (i.e., rain, snow, etc.), which would quickly drive the
radioactive material to the ground, causing increased deposition of radionuclides. Significant contamination could affect
areas up to Radiological accidents can occur wherever radioactive materials are
used, stored, or transported. In addition to nuclear power plants, hospitals,
universities, research laboratories, industries, major highways, railroads,
and shipping yards could be the site of a radiological accident. The main purpose of protective actions is to minimize the health
effects to the public and workers. Nuclear emergency protective actions include: a. urgent protective actions, which must be taken within
hours of an accident to be effective.
These include: evacuation, intake of stable iodine tablets and
sheltering (protect the public from exposure to direct radiation and
inhalation from an airborne plume); b. longer-term protective actions, which may need to be
adopted in a matter of days following an accident. These include: restrictions on the use of
contaminated food and water, relocation and resettlement. What is radiological emergency
management? Radiological emergency management is a term that describes efforts to
prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from an event that could result
in significant radiation-related effects. Efforts to prevent radiological emergencies include actions to stop
such events from happening and actions that decrease the harmful effects of
such an occurrence. Efforts to prepare for a radiological emergency include learning the
warning signs and knowing what to do during an emergency. Responding to a radiological emergency means taking appropriate
actions to protect yourself and others from harm. Recovering from a radiological emergency includes actions performed
after an emergency to return to normal. |