No abstract

A radiological dispersive device (RDD) spreads radioactive material, complicates the treatment of physical injuries, raises cancer risk, and induces disproportionate fear. Simulating such an event enables more effective and efficient utilization of the triage and treatment resources of staff, facilities, and space. Fast simulation can give detail on events in progress or future events. The resources for triage and treatment of contaminated trauma victims can differ for pure exposure individuals, while discouraging the "worried well" from presenting in the crisis phase by media announcement would relieve pressure on hospital facilities. The proposed methodology integrates capabilities from different platforms in a convergent way composed of three phases: (a) scenario simulation, (b) data generation, and (c) risk assessment for triage focused on follow-up epidemiological assessment. Simulations typically indicate that most of the affected population does not require immediate medical assistance. Medical triage for the few severely injured and the radiological triage to diminish the contamination with radioactivity will always be the priority. For this study, however, higher priorities should be given to individuals from radiological "warm" and "hot" zones as required by risk criteria. The proposed methodology could thus help to (a) filter and reduce the number of individuals to be attended, (b) optimize the prioritization of medical care,

Military operations can present risks whose origins may be unconventional. As an example, we can mention those within the spectrum of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) defense. This study evaluates, through a computer simulation, an operation in which soldiers face radiological contamination after the triggering of a radiological dispersion device (RDD) in an inhabited urban area. The simulation of the Gaussian scattering (analytical) of the Cs-137 radionuclide is performed using the HotSpot Health Physics codes software. The results of the simulation are evaluated according to two radiological risk domains, referring to high (above 100 mSv) and low integrated radiation doses over 4 continuous days of operation. The radiological risk for developing solid cancer according to specific epidemiological models was estimated. This information served as a basis for estimating the future detriment, that is, the loss of life expectancy (LLE). In addition, the methodology may serve as an instructional resource for tabletop exercises contributing to develop leadership and preparation for decision-making in asymmetric environments.

No abstract

The neutralization of suspicious objects by a conventional explosion in public places seems to be an option often considered by security forces. A radiological dispersive device (RDD) uses a radioactive material coupled to an amount of conventional explosive in order to contaminate an area. Extremist groups may take advantage of such protocol by leaving the radioactive material in public places to provoke suspicion, thus leading to the neutralization by an explosion, which in turn creates a RDD event. This work aims to discuss the influence of such a protocol in the radiological threat by means of computational simulation. The total maximum effective dose equivalent (TEDE Max), the Pasquill–Gifford atmospheric stability classes (PG classes), and the potentially affected population size were evaluated. The results consider two radionuclides Cs-137 and Sr-90. The findings allow us to infer that TEDE Max and surface contamination are strongly dependent on the PG classes. In addition, the affected population size depends on the plume size, which seems to be independent of the radionuclide, but not of the PG classes. Therefore, PG classes play a key role in the radiological threat. The findings may be of value to support decisions when facing an event.