Sheltering--a protective measure following an accidental atmospheric release from a nuclear power plant

Journal Article · Wed Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Health Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-198806000-00006· OSTI ID:6845708

Koch, J; Tadmor, J

The effectiveness of sheltering the population for reducing radiological effects following an accidental release of radioactivity at a nuclear power plant was investigated. Different levels of respiratory protection and the administration of a thyroid blocking agent were also studied as possible complements to sheltering. Specific conditions were assumed, concerning the high protection factors of regular buildings and the high availability of civil defense shelters. Computations were performed by means of a probabilistic consequence model, which allows a comprehensive description of exposure modes and processes dealing with the implementation of sheltering and which takes into account a broad range of radiological effects. Sheltering, even in regular buildings, was found to be efficient in reducing early fatalities and other non-stochastic effects. However, it was shown that respiratory protection is also needed in order to alleviate stochastic effects and that, for this purpose, expedient individual filtration methods may be satisfactory. Under the conditions studied, sheltering was found to be preferable in most cases over evacuation, as the main immediate protective measure, unless evacuation can be carried out before the radioactive cloud reaches the populated area.

• Research Organization: Soreq Nuclear Research Center, Yavne (Israel)
• OSTI ID: 6845708
• Journal Information: Health Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: Health Phys.; (United States) Vol. 54:6; ISSN HLTPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
560151 -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
560161 -- Radionuclide Effects
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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACCIDENTS
AIR POLLUTION
CIVIL DEFENSE
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
FALLOUT SHELTERS
HUMAN POPULATIONS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NATIONAL DEFENSE
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POLLUTION
POPULATIONS
POWER PLANTS
PROBABILITY
RADIATION PROTECTION
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
SHELTERS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS