Radiation Environment Characterization for Emergency Preparedness and Response

该研究计划是在辐射探测技术，剂量测定，现场表征和安全与保障的核或放射性材料在紧急情况下，包括在核设施事故和恶意行为的辐射照射照射。此外，该方案研究放射源和模拟评估技术的脆弱性。福岛第一核电站核事故后发生的事件表明，需要在辐射场评估、照射评估和风险建模方面继续取得进展。据估计，虽然没有人死于或预计死于事故的放射性释放，但超过1600人死于辐射恐惧引起的疏散压力。事实上，对事故后辐射场的快速评估和对受照射可能性的确定可产生对应急人员至关重要的数据。由于电离辐射无法通过人类的五种感官检测到，因此需要使用仪器来快速了解和量化潜在的危害。本研究计画由多个研究领域所组成，分别为：（1）发展可携式现场仪器与技术，以快速评估辐射场与照射量（检测器技术，例如碲化镉锌半导体检测器、Geiger-Muller充气计数器、硫化锌闪烁检测器、光激励发光材料和电子顺磁共振材料），（2）对该计划具有重要意义的辐射场的实验研究、建模和量化（气溶胶扩散、计算流体动力学和蒙特卡罗建模），以及（3）探讨与放射性材料的使用和滥用有关的安全问题，重点是确定脆弱性和更好地与安全功能集成（合成环境和严重的游戏模拟）。该方案旨在培训辐射探测、测量和分析、内部和外部剂量测定、辐射场表征、应急准备、反应和对策以及核材料和放射性材料安全和安保领域的高素质人员（本科生、硕士、博士和博士后）。这项研究将对健康物理和应急响应社区以及有保护人员要求的工业和政府机构具有重要意义。这项研究将使科学界受益，增加快速辐射场定性、气溶胶行为现象学、现场和回顾性剂量评估和安全漏洞等方面的知识基础，并培训一些高素质人员，其中许多人将继续从事研究。

The research program is in radiation detection techniques, dosimetry, field characterization and safety & security from nuclear or radiological material present during emergency situations, encompassing exposures from accidents at nuclear facilities and radiation exposures from malicious acts. In addition, the program studies vulnerabilities of radiological sources and simulation assessment techniques. Events in the aftermath of the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear accident demonstrate a need for continuing advancements in radiation field assessment, exposure assessment and risk modeling. It is estimated that, 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.