PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF DOSES FOLLOWING HYPOTHETICAL EXPLOSIONS OF RADIOLOGICAL DISPERSION DEVICES

Abstract

The objective of this research was to perform preliminary evaluation of doses following hypothetical explosions of radiological dispersion devices (RDDs) at the studied areas (Victory Monument, Siam Square and Pattaya city). Calculations were based on the plume dispersion computer code, Hotspot Health Physics Codes program, which implemented the Gaussian plume dispersion model and provide contour lines corresponding to specified radiation dose levels (1,000, 250 and 5 mSv TEDE). Parameters used in this study were radionuclide species (Co-60, Cs-137 and Ir-192), material at risk (100 Ci), high explosive (10 and 25 pounds), meteorological data (wind direction and wind speed period for the past 20 years) and population data. ArcGIS Desktop 9.3 was used to analyze further, Maximum distances of the plume dispersions and total number of populations and sub-district names of affected areas from explosions of RDDs. The benefit of this analysis is the subsequent emergency response plans that can be prepared and offered in order to mitigate and control the hypothetical situations. Areas receiving the total effective dose equivalent (TEDE) of more than 250 mSv should be considered immediate evacuation areas.