Radiological risk evaluation applied to aerial evacuation procedures in a nuclear scenario

Abstract

Abstract This study evaluates the risk assessment of a hypothetical scenario where an off-site radioactive release occurs at a nuclear power plant. By using the code Accident Reporting and Guiding Operational System (Prolog Development Center - PDC/ARGOS) a numerical simulation was performed to simulate exposure conditions in an atmospheric plume of contamination. Crews on a rescue mission traverse the plume through a pre-defined path to evaluate the risk from a hypothetical radiological exposure. Applying a sophisticated epidemiological assessment methodology, radiation doses and risks on the teams were evaluated. Core variables such as gender, age and radiation dose were considered in relation to specific morbidities. It was possible to propose a methodology capable of contributing to the reduction of risks to the personnel involved by connecting the results from the computer simulation and the epidemiological risk assessment.