Abstract

The detonation of an (hypothetical) improvised nuclear device (IND) can generate atmospheric release of radioactive material in the form of particles and dust that ultimately contaminate the soil. In this study, the detonation of an IND in an urban area was simulated, and its effects on humans were determined. The risk of solid cancer development due to radiation was calculated by taking into account prompt radiation and whole-body exposure of individuals near the detonation site up to 10 km. The excess relative risk (ERR) of developing solid cancer was evaluated by using the mathematical relationships from the Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF) studies and those from the HotSpot code. The methodology consists of using output data obtained from simulations performed with the HotSpot health physics code plugging in such numbers into a specific given equation used by RERF to evaluate the resulting impact. Such a preliminary procedure is expected to facilitate the decision-making process significantly.

Details

Title
Simulated nuclear contamination scenario, solid cancer risk assessment, and support to decision
Author
Lima, Sergio X 1 ; Costa, Karolina P S 2 ; Lima, Zelmo R 2 ; Rother, Fagner C 3 ; Araujo, Olga M O 4 ; Vital, Helio C 1 ; Brum, Tercio 1 ; Wilson F R S Junior 5 ; Amorim, Jose Carlos C 1 ; Healy, Matthew J F 6 ; Andrade, Edson R 7 

 Defense Engineering Graduate Program, Military Institute of Engineering, (IME), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 
 Nuclear Engineering Institute (CNEN/IEN)Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 
 Institute of Radioprotection and Dosimetry (CNEN/IRD)Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 
 Nuclear Engineering Graduate ProgramFederal University of Rio de Janeiro (COPPE/UFRJ)Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 
 Faculty of Engineering, Rio de Janeiro State University and IBRAG, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 
 Cranfield Forensic Institute, Cranfield University and Defence Academy of the United KingdomShrivenham, SN6 8LA, United Kingdom 
 Defense Engineering Graduate Program, Military Institute of Engineering (IME), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Nuclear Engineering Institute (CNEN/IEN)Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 
Pages
41-48
Publication year
2019
Publication date
2019
Publisher
De Gruyter Poland
ISSN
00295922
e-ISSN
15085791
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
Polish; Russian; English
ProQuest document ID
3157265308
Copyright
© 2019. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.