The vertical radiation dose profile and decision-making in a simulated urban event

Alves, Isabela S.; Castro, Mariana S.C.; Stenders, Ricardo M.; Silva, Rodrigo W.; Brum, Tercio; Silva, Ademir X.; Andrade, Edson R.

doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2019.106034

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…The Gaussian model is suitable for estimating the atmospheric concentration of an aerosol at any point in space, and it may be found in previous works from our group [2][3][4] . In this study it is considered that the troops under radiological threat have the means to identify both the presence of radiation and the radioactive element in the environment by means of simple identifiers detectors.…”

Section: Tede = Cede (Inhalation) + Ede (Submersion)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Radiological Consequences Modelling for a Land Based Operations Environment

et al. 2021

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Radiological Dispersive Devices (RDD) are often portrayed as weapons used by radical (asymmetric) forces, however they can also be used in a regular war. In this study, a hypothetical scenario where an asymmetric force contaminates the battlefield, by detonating an RDD prior to the soldier’s arrival without being detected, is simulated. The software HotSpot was used due to its speed and conservative results which can help inform the decisions made by the commanding officers. HotSpot performs a Gaussian simulation of the radioactive dispersion in the environment. The plumes that arise from the explosion are considered to be affected by the atmospheric conditions. In this study, those conditions are represented by the Pasquill-Gifford stability classes. The results of the simulation show that remaining stationary, if the contaminated area size is not affected by the PG class variation, may increase the radiological risk. It is better to move the soldiers around in order to avoid additional exposure, however that may also be a challenge for various reasons including changes in the shape of the contaminated area. Nevertheless, the variations in local PG classes gain importance as the distance from the release point increases.

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Section: Tede = Cede (Inhalation) + Ede (Submersion)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Radiological Consequences Modelling for a Land Based Operations Environment

et al. 2021

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“…Such an improvised device has been being studied with increased frequency over the time. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] This study addresses the conventional explosion of a package containing radioactive material as the ''event. ''…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The explosion can transform a suspicious object into a real radiological dispersive device (RDD), sometimes called as “dirty bomb.” Such an improvised device has been being studied with increased frequency over the time. 1–7 This study addresses the conventional explosion of a package containing radioactive material as the “event.”…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radiological urban threat due to special protective actions from security forces

Castro

Reis

Stenders

et al. 2021

Journal of Defense Modeling & Simulation

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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.

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