Planning for nuclear emergencies
A properly developed and executed emergency plan represents an additional level of safety in dealing with potential accidents in nuclear facilities. A state-of-the-art review of the subject is presented which is based primarily on material presented by a variety of speakers during a short course held at the Harvard School of Public Health in May 1975. A certain degree of confusion has existed because of the multitude of federal and state agencies having responsibilities in this field; however, steps are being taken to correct this situation. Although updated Protective Action Guides for airborne releases have been published, similar action is needed for limitations on radionuclide intake via food and water. Indications are that, for a single puff type of airborne release, it may not be possible to evacuate the neighboring population within the short time span available to avoid exposure. For a longer term continuous type of airborne release, however, evacuation can be very useful. Still in need of further evaluation as an adjunct or alternative to evacuation is the use of protective shelter and/or radio-protective prophylaxis. Also in need of additional study and/or development are methods for assessing the nature and course of an accident, techniques for rapidly estimating the pathway of a release and anticipated population doses, assessment of the long-range implications of potential widespread radioactive contamination of land areas, and improvements in the capabilities of state and local agencies in providing radiological emergency response. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Harvard Univ., Boston
- NSA Number:
- NSA-33-022333
- OSTI ID:
- 4077845
- Journal Information:
- Nucl. Saf., v. 17, no. 1, pp. 1-14, Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 30-JUN-76
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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