REDUCTION OF FALLOUT RADIATION HAZARDS IN HEALTH INSTALLATIONS

Journal Article · Sat Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1962 · Canadian Medical Association Journal (Canada)

OSTI ID:4704480

Waters, W R

An estimation is made of fallout radiation doses expected to be received by hospitals in various target cities in Canada in event of thermonuclear war. The estimates are provided as guidance for Canadian hospital medical directors in pianning protection for their patients and staff against gamma radiation. The implications of the distribution of fallout in Canada are such that the probability of exposures in excess of 600 r in the period 96 hr after fallout is high in Southern Ontario and Quebec but low in the western provinces and in the North. All hospitals should have a shielding capacity, which may entail structural alterations. The aim is to provide a protective factor of 100 or better, together with necessary standards of habitability. The engineering significance of the recommendations is discussed. The redesign and reconstruction of a 50-bed hospital to improve the protection factor are outlined in detail. The recommended changes would raise the protection factor to 100; where the critical 96-hr exposure in an unshielded locality would be 2500 r, hospital personnel and patients would be exposed to only 25 r. (P.C.H.)

• Research Organization: Emergency Health Services, Ottawa
• NSA Number: NSA-17-012071
• OSTI ID: 4704480
• Journal Information: Canadian Medical Association Journal (Canada), Journal Name: Canadian Medical Association Journal (Canada) Vol. Vol: 87; ISSN CMAJA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

FIELD THEORY
GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
MATHEMATICS
MEASURED VALUES
QUANTUM MECHANICS