Decontamination of Contaminated Areas, Environmental Objects and Infrastructure of Settlements in Radiation Accidents

Abstract

Purpose: To consider the issues of physical-mechanical decontamination of contaminated territories, environmental objects and infrastructure of settlements during a radiation accident and to develop a mathematical tool for evaluating forces and means during physical-mechanical decontamination. Materials and methods: Analyzed possible contamination of territories and facilities with radioactive materials during the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (NPP) and the Japanese Fukushima Daiichi NPP, the methods used for decontamination and technical means, and the effectiveness of their use. The experience in dealing with the consequences of large scale radiation accidents at NPP, including the Chernobyl and Fukushima Daiichi NPPs, shows that the decontamination of contaminated territories and settlements is a very time-consuming and costly undertaking, which is carried out to resume economic activity on large contaminated areas. To carry out such work, it is required to evaluate the needful amount of various sets of technical equipment involved, as well as the involvement of numerous organizations with their specialists and personnel. Results: The issues of physical-mechanical decontamination of roads and sections of the terrain, forest land, soil, buildings and structures and technical equipment are considered. The mathematical tool for evaluation the forces and means involved in decontamination measures is given. The developed methodological approaches can be used to assess the necessary forces and means, responding to emergency incidents of a different nature: in responding spills of oil and its products, disinfection of various objects and in other emergency situations. Conclusion: The developed calculation tool allows evaluate the forces and means necessary for decontamination in a contaminated area.