Security of Radioactive Sources

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 2011

ABSTRACTRadiological terrorism has been recognized as a probable scenario with high impact. Radiological preparedness planning at the federal and state levels has been encouraging, but translating complex doctrines into operational readiness at the local level has proved challenging. Based on the authors' experience with radiological response planning for the City of Baltimore, this article describes an integrated approach to municipal-level radiological emergency preparedness planning, provides information on resources that are useful for radiological preparedness planning, and recommends a step-by-step process toward developing the plan with relevant examples from the experience in Baltimore. Local governmental agencies constitute the first line of response and are critical to the success of the operation. This article is intended as a starting framework for local governmental efforts toward developing a response plan for radiological incidents in their communities.(Disaster M...

EPJ Nuclear Sciences & Technologies, 2020

Recent EURATOM research efforts on Emergency Preparedness and Response (EP&R) have been focussed on programs addressing some main knowledge gaps clearly identified in the outcomes of investigations carried out in Europe in response to the Fukushima accident. The PREPARE and FASTNET projects tried to solve similar problems adopting very complementary and synergic approaches. The main achievements of both projects are detailed in this paper. In particular, the problem of the fast estimation of time-dependent, long-lasting Source Terms is discussed. This problem is not only a technical one, but is also related to the experience and skill of the code users. As the EP&R is spanning a wide range in Europe, certainly far beyond the borders of individual states, it is mandatory creating a common and shared understanding of emergencies. Both PREPARE and FASTNET recognized the fundamental role of exercises to increase the experience of emergency responders in Europe. A general recommendation ...

2009

Michigan Law Review, 1961

VW HENEVER a highly-industrialized complex society assimilates a revolutionary technology, the problems which arise invariably are reflected in the legal rules and regulations by which a people govern themselves. The advent of atomic energy, the most recent ...

The emergency management planning tool RISK-RDD was developed to aid emergency response planners and decision makers at all levels of government to better understand and prepare for potential problems related to a radiological release, especially those in urban areas. Radioactive release scenarios were studied by using the RISK-RDD radiological emergency management program. The scenarios were selected to investigate the key aspects of radiological risk management not always considered in emergency planning as a whole. These aspects include the evaluation of both aerosolized and non-aerosolized components of an atmospheric release, methods of release, acute and chronic human health risks, and the concomitant economic impacts as a function of the risk-based cleanup level. (authors)

Radioprotection, 2001

The International Atomic Energy Agency has, under its Sîatute, specifically defined functions relating to radiation safety, in particular, responsibilities for the development of standards of safety and provision for their application. These functions are fulflled through the development of a wide range of standards, including those on preparedness and response to nuclear accidents or radiological emergencies. It also devotes considerable effort to assisting countries in applying those standards. In addition, the Agency has responsibilities placed on it by virtue of a number of Conventions, two of which are relevant to nuclear accidents or radiological emergencies: the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident (Early Notification Convention) and the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency (Assistance Convention). Under the Assistance Convention, assistance may include medical response. This paper provides an overview of the Agency's work regardmg emergency preparedness and response, with specific reference to a number of recent events. It also discnsses new initiatives regarding the safety and security of radiation sources, which have, as a principal objective, the reduction of the risk of such events. ABSTRACT RÉSUMÉ La réponse aux accidents radiologiques : le rôle de l'Agence internationale de l'énergie atomique. Dans ses statuts, l'Agence internationale de l'énergie atomique a défini avec précision ses fonctions dans la sûreté radiologique, en particulier ses responsabilités dans l'évolution des normes de sûreté, et la prise des dispositions nécessaires à leur application. Elle réalise ces fonctions en faisant évoluer une large gamme de nonnes, y compris celles portant sur la préparation à la gestion des accidents nucléaires ou à des urgences radiologiques. Elle consacre aussi un effort considérable à l'assistance aux pays, dans l'application de ces normes. De plus, l'Agence a des responsabilités dans ce dernier domaine, en vertu d'un certain nombre de conventions. Deux d'entre elles relèvent des accidents nucléaires ou des urgences radiologiques : la convention de notification rapide d'un accident nucléaire (< Early Notification Convention N), et la convention sur l'assistance en cas d'accident nucléaire ou d'urgence radiologique (<Assistance Convention *). Dans ce dernier cas, l'assistance peut inclure une réponse médicale. Cet article présente une vue d'ensemble du travail de l'Agence concernant l'état d'urgence et la réponse à une urgence ; il fait spécifiquement référence à un certain nombre d'évènements récents. II évoque aussi de nouvelles initiatives concernant la sûreté et la sécurité des sources de rayonnement ; elles ont pour objectif principal de réduire le risque de tels évènements.

Defence Life Science Journal, 2021

The nuclear security architecture in India is three-fold: the infrastructure security including physical security of the nuclear plant; port and border security including training and capacity building to prevent any illicit trafficking of nuclear material into the country and; the inter-institutional coordination at the Centre and State level during radiological emergencies. However, there exist structural weaknesses that need to be accounted for in all these three areas. It is imperative to develop capacities not only for safe handling, transport and disposal of nuclear material but also instituting stringent cyber-security laws, border security measures and functional Centre-State coordination in crisis situation for the safety and security of the general population. The following paper seeks to address these challenges and provide recommendations for strengthening the nuclear security and disaster response framework in India. The paper draws recommendations from the 2019 IPCS wo...

Health Physics, 2007

In the past 25 years, nuclear and radiological emergencies have occurred that cover much of the range of causes and types that had been anticipated by experts. Experience from response to these emergencies has clearly demonstrated the importance of an efficient response system that includes, among other components, emergency plans, procedures, and internally consistent operational criteria. An analysis of lessons identified from recent responses has shown that a lack of crucial components in the emergency response system could result in major radiological and nonradiological consequences at the national level. A rigorous examination of the response to past emergencies has shown that there is a need for additional consistent international guidance on taking protective and other response actions and for placing the guidance in a context that is both comprehensive for the decision makers and can be explained to the public. This paper briefly describes the lessons learned from past radiation emergencies and how these lessons are used by the International Atomic Energy Agency in developing the international guidance in the area of emergency preparedness and response. In particular, the paper discusses the proposed extended framework of emergency response criteria. The framework is composed of two fundamental parts: (1) generic reference levels and (2) a plain language explanation for each generic reference level to assist the decisions makers and the public in making informed decisions on the actions they should take when this level is reached. The system of generic reference levels covers the full range of potential and actual exposures, from those levels that can result in severe deterministic health effects down to those that allow for a return to normality. Health Phys. 93(5):527-537; 2007

Journal of Hazardous Materials, 1980

This paper identifies a set of general criteria which can be used as guides for evaluating emergency response plans prepared in connection with the transportation of radiological materials. The development of criteria takes the form of examining the meaning and role of emergency plans in general, reviewing the process as it is used in connection with natural disasters and other nonnuclear disasters, and explicitly considering unique aspects of the radiological transportation setting. Eight areas of critical importance for such response plans are isolated: notification procedures; accident assessment; public information; protection of the public at risk; other protective responses; radiological exposure control; responsibility for planning and operations; and emergency response training and exercises.