Radiation Environment Characterization for Emergency Preparedness and Response

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The research program is in radiation detection techniques, dosimetry, field characterization and safety hat, although no deaths are attributed or expected to be attributed to radioactive releases from the accident, over 1600 deaths have been attributed to evacuation stress caused by radiation fears. Indeed, rapid assessment of radiation fields post-accident and determination of potential for exposure can yield data that is of vital use to emergency response personnel. Since ionizing radiation cannot be detected through humans' five senses, instrumentation is required to rapidly understand and quantify the potential hazards. The research program is constructed from a number of research areas, presented as (1) development of field-portable instrumentation and techniques for rapid assessment of radiation fields and exposure (detector technologies such as cadmium zinc telluride semiconductor detectors, Geiger-Muller gas filled counters, zinc sulfide scintillation detectors, optically stimulated luminescent materials and electron paramagnetic resonance materials), (2) experimental investigation, modeling and quantification of radiation fields of significance to the program (aerosol dispersion, computational fluid dynamics and Monte Carlo modeling), and (3) exploring security issues as related to radioactive material use and misuse, with the emphasis of determining vulnerabilities and better integration with safety functions (synthetic environment and serious game simulation). The program is designed to train highly qualified personnel (undergraduate, master, doctoral and post-doctoral) in the areas of radiation detection, measurement and analysis, internal and external dosimetry, radiation field characterization, emergency preparedness, response and countermeasures, and safety and security of nuclear and radiological materials. The research will have great significance to the health physics and emergency response communities, as well as industrial and government agencies that have requirements to protect personnel. The research will benefit the scientific community by adding to the knowledge base of rapid radiation field characterization, phenomenology of aerosol behavior, in-field and retrospective dose assessment and security vulnerabilities, and by training a number of highly qualified personnel, many of whom will continue in research.