Radiation Environment Characterization for Emergency Preparedness and Response

该研究项目包括辐射检测技术、剂量学、现场特征和安全帽，尽管没有人死于或预计死于事故中的放射性泄漏，但已有1600多人死于辐射恐惧造成的疏散压力。事实上，对事故后辐射场的快速评估和对暴露可能性的确定可以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的五种感官检测到，因此需要仪器来快速了解和量化潜在的危险。该研究计划由以下几个研究领域构成：(1)开发用于快速评估辐射场和曝光量的现场便携式仪器和技术(探测器技术，如碲化镉锌半导体探测器、盖革-穆勒充气计数器、硫化锌闪烁探测器、光激发发光材料和电子顺磁共振材料)，(2)对对该计划有重要意义的辐射场进行实验研究、模拟和量化(气溶胶弥散、计算流体动力学和蒙特卡罗模拟)，以及(3)探索与放射性材料使用和误用有关的安全问题，重点是确定漏洞并更好地与安全功能集成(合成环境和严肃的游戏模拟)。该计划旨在培训高素质的人员(本科、硕士、博士和博士后)，领域包括辐射检测、测量和分析、内部和外部剂量测定、辐射场特征、应急准备、响应和对策以及核和放射材料的安全和安保。这项研究将对卫生物理学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，因为它将增加关于快速辐射场特征、气溶胶行为现象学、现场和追溯剂量评估和安全漏洞的知识库，并培训一些高素质的人员，其中许多人将继续进行研究。

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.