Evaluation of the Termination Conditions of Emergency Response for Radiation Disasters

The response of nuclear accident can be divided into two phases, i.e. urgent phase and recovery phase. In the urgent phase, precautionary evacuation is implemented for public in the precautionary action zone (PAZ). In the recovery phase, urgent protective actions, including safety evacuation, indoor sheltering, stable iodine intake and food control, are implemented for public in the urgent protection zone (UPZ). In addition, people in the hot-spots, where environmental monitoring data exceed the pre-determined operational intervention levels (OILs), are protected by implementing the urgent protective actions. Radiation doses of general public in the urgent phase are termed the emergency exposure; those in the recovery phase are called the existing exposure. Reference levels recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection are 20-100 and 1-20 mSv, for emergency and existing exposures respectively. The transition from emergency exposure to existing exposure requires the preparation of recovery plans. In this transition phase, the remediation of released radioactive substances in the environment and the plans for long-term recovery works are needed. The main objectives of this project are: (1) to collect information on the transition phase for all major international nuclear and radioactive accidents (including the Soviet Union Chernobyl, Japan Fukushima and Brazil Goiania accidents), (2) to study conditions for the termination of emergency exposure, (3) to investigate managements for the beginning of existing exposure, and (4) to learn remedial plans during the transition phase. The Fukushima nuclear accident occurred more than eight years ago. Since the accident, the Japanese government has adopted several managements to accelerate the transition from emergency exposure to existing exposure. Due to the similar geographic and humanistic conditions between Taiwan and Japan, these managements provide valuable references. With thorough review of Japanese management plans, we will develop guidelines and standards for the transition phase of nuclear emergency response, which will be provided to the competent authorities in Taiwan.

Project ID:PB10902-0320
External Project ID:MOST109-2623-E182-001-NU