MAM-B
Monday 02/06/2023 |
| Chair(s): Amber Harshman |
|
MAM-B.1 10:45 Internal Dosimetry Concepts with Applications to Environmental Radiation Protection . Anderson Donovan A*, Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University; Harshman Amber M, Environmental Protection Services Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory ande4163@hirosaki-u.ac.jp
Internal dosimetry is often thought of with respect to radionuclides incorporated inside the human body and protection of humans. However, there are many internal dosimetry applications for the protection of non-human biota and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. Radionuclides in the environment have the potential to accumulate in wildlife through ingestion of radionuclides in water, vegetation, other exposed biota, or even soil. Subsequently, human consumption of radioactively contaminated environmental media, such as wildlife, may result in additional exposure pathways. Evaluation and quantification of environmental radiological impacts are necessary for routine operational releases to protect the environment and biota, but they are of utmost importance in the event of a nuclear or radiological accident when large amounts of radioactive material may be inadvertently released into the environment. This interactive session begins with a review of internal dosimetry concepts and applications to humans as well as environmental radiation protection of non-human biota. A number of real-world examples are presented to demonstrate how internal dosimetry principles can be applied to environmental impacts of routine operations as well as radiological or nuclear accidents, including the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. Participants in this session will come away with an understanding of environmental internal dosimetry principles (i.e., assumptions made in internal dosimetry of animals, exposure pathways, and others) and how they can be applied to a variety of situations for radiological protection. Participants will also be able to perform a realistic dose calculation for a human hypothetically consuming contaminated substances and compare to dose limits. |