Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Implications of reduced source terms for ex-plant consequence modeling and emergency planning

Journal Article · · Nucl. Saf.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5407775

Current research into fission-product source terms from reactor accidents reveals that in many cases the magnitude is smaller than that previously predicted. The impact of the current research on ex-plant consequence modeling and emergency planning requirements has been assessed by using an exhaustive set of sensitivity studies carried out with the CRAC2 computer code. Important results are that, if the release fraction of volatile fission products is just under 0.1, early fatalities will be extremely unlikely, evacuation to avoid life- or injury-threatening doses will not be needed beyond about 2 miles (about 3.2 km) from the plant, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's early fatality safety goal will be met easily. Other consequences examined include early injuries, latent cancer fatalities, offsite costs, areas of land requiring interdiction or decontamination, the latent cancer fatality safety goal, and the 50-mile (80-km) plume exposure Emergency Planning Zone.

Research Organization:
NUS Corp., Gaithersburg, MD
OSTI ID:
5407775
Journal Information:
Nucl. Saf.; (United States), Journal Name: Nucl. Saf.; (United States) Vol. 27:3; ISSN NUSAA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English