RADIATION DOSE ESTIMATION IN THE 1958 LOS ALAMOS CRITICALITY ACCIDENT

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1961 · Health Physics (England)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-196103000-00004· OSTI ID:4052256

Harris, P S

An accidental radiation excursion occurring durin Pu/sup 2//sup 3//sup 9/ recovery operation resulted in significant exposure of three personnel, one exposure terminating in fatality. Irradiation of the fatally exposed person was nonuniform, and it was possible only to estimate his average body dose and dose incident to specific body areas. His average fast neutron dose was estimated as about 900 rads, and gamma dose as 3000 to 4000 rads. The fast neutron doses incident to the head and upper abdomen were estimated as 2600 and 3000 rads, respectively, and the respective incident gamma doses as about 7800 and 9000 rads. A second operator received a neutron dose estimated at 2.6 rads, and his film badge showed a gamma of 118 rads. The third person's neutron and gamma doses were estimated as 1.4 and 31.5 rads, respectively. Most of the gamma dose to the nonfatality exposed operators was accumulated during subsequent trips near the source. (auth)

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., N. Mex.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-15-020996
• OSTI ID: 4052256
• Journal Information: Health Physics (England), Journal Name: Health Physics (England) Vol. Vol: 5; ISSN HLTPA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ACCIDENTS
BODY
DISTRIBUTION
DOSEMETERS
EXCURSIONS
FAST NEUTRONS
FILM BADGES
GAMMA RADIATION
HEALTH AND SAFETY
IRRADIATION
LETHAL DOSE
MAN
NEUTRONS
PERSONNEL
PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM
PLUTONIUM 239
QUANTITY RATIO
RADIATION DOSES
REACTOR SAFETY
REPROCESSING