A Methodology for Calculating Inhalation Dose to Public Health Personnel Exposed to Material Resuspended from Evacuees Following the Detonation of a Fission Device.

Following a nuclear fission event, there likely would be a large number of contaminated persons who would seek assistance at community reception centers to be established outside the affected area. This paper provides a methodology for calculating inhalation doses to public health and other response personnel at such facilities who would be receiving and assisting potentially contaminated persons from whom particles can be resuspended. Three hypothetical facilities were considered: the Base Case is a rather small room with no forced air ventilation.

First responders and nuclear terrorist attacks.

Avoidance of downwind radioactive fallout exposure within the first few hours after a nuclear or radiological dispersal device detonation can save lives and minimize radiation exposure. First responders with awareness training can help to avoid prompt fatalities and excessive contamination or exposure following such a detonation. This paper outlines some of the critical components of the situational awareness and actions necessary to save lives and minimize radiation contamination and exposure.