/pdf/vers-de-nouvelles-recommandations-en-radioprotection-la-cipr-ggic33vs.pdf

Vers de nouvelles recommandations en radioprotection : la CIPR en marche / Towards new recommendations in radiological protection: ICRP on the move

Risk communication in post-nuclear accident situations faces many challenges related to the limited knowledge of experts about the actual situation in the affected communities, as well as of the affected people about radiological risk combined with their distrust of authorities and experts. In such an anxiety-provoking context, the co-expertise approach recommended by the ICRP combining technical expertise, citizen participation and two-way communication has shown that it was an effective approach for restoring trust between the experts and the people concerned and developing, among the latter, a practical radiological protection culture. In essence, technical-oriented risk communication is not sufficient alone. A dialogue with affected people is necessary in combination with measurements of radiation associated with their daily life in order to gain their participation in the co-expertise process and to progressively restore confidence in them and trust in authorities and experts. The article highlights the salient features of the co-expertise process in relation to risk communication.

/pdf/risk-communication-in-the-recovery-phase-after-a-nuclear-3tjnnvbz.pdf

Risk communication in the recovery phase after a nuclear accident: the contribution of the “co-expertise process”

As COVID-19 emerged, there are parallels between the responses needed for managing SARS-CoV-2 infections and radiation injuries. While some SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals present as asymptomatic, others exhibit a range of symptoms including severe and rapid onset of high-risk indicators of mortality. Similarly, a variety of responses are also observed after a radiological exposure depending on radiation dose, dose heterogeneity, and biological variability. The impact of acute radiation syndrome (ARS) has guided the identification of many biomarkers of radiation exposure, the establishment of medical management strategies, and development of medical countermeasures in the event of a radiation public health emergency. Biodosimetry has a prominent role for identifying exposed persons during a large scale radiological emergency situation. Identifying exposed individuals is also critical in the case of pandemics such as COVID-19, with the additional goal of controlling the spread of disease. Conclusions and significance: IABERD has taken advantage of its competences in biodosimetry to draw lessons from current practices of managing the testing strategy for nuclear accidents to improve responses to SARS-CoV-2. Conversely, lessons learned from managing SARS-CoV-2 can be used to inform best practices in managing radiological situations. Finally, the potential need to deal with testing modalities simultaneously and effectively in both situations is considered.

Complementary lessons learned from the testing strategies used for radiation emergencies and COVID-19: A white paper from The International Association of Biological and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Radiation Dosimetry (IABERD)

Early fallout is defined as the fallback to the earth’s surface of radioactive particles shortly after a nuclear detonation (often arbitrarily defined within 24 h). At the difference of wide spreading global fallout, early fallout mainly consists of larger particles that are often visible. The initial mixture is rich in short- and very short-lived radionuclides associated with a very high initial activity that decreases rapidly (in 7 h, the dose rate is reduced by 90%). The main danger of early fallout results from external irradiation by highly penetrating gamma-radiation that may cause acute radiation sickness. Only in the case of the thyroid, internal irradiation by the incorporation of radioiodine may prevail. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are examples of airbursts with many fatalities by prompt effects (blast, burns, and initial ionizing radiations), but they produced little fallout. The nuclear test code-named Castle Bravo on the Marshall Islands (1954) did not have casualties by its blast, thermal or initial radiation effects, but the inhabitants of the nearby islands and the crew of a Japanese fisherboat (Lucky Dragon) were affected by large amounts of fallout. For the inhabitants of the Rongelap Atoll, the average dose from external irradiation was assessed at 1.6 Gy. From a clinical point of view, based on hematological data using the METREPOL classification system, the acute radiation syndrome can be categorized as mild (H1). Blood transfusions were not required, and antibiotics were not administered for prophylaxis or therapy of infections related to irradiation. The equivalent dose received by the thyroid resulted mainly from internal irradiation with 7.6 Gy. The major late effects were thyroid abnormalities, including thyroid failure, nodules, and malignant tumors. The 23 Japanese crewmen seem to have been irradiated by higher doses (2.9 Gy). Compared to the hematological data of the Rongelap victims, the evolution pattern over time is quite similar. Still, the absolute values of the cell counts are lower, and on average, the acute radiation syndrome can be categorized as rather moderate (H2). Considering the individual cases, data show a large interindividual variability, and the clinical severity category ranges from “no alterations” (H0) to severe (H3). Victims were treated with repeated blood transfusions and antibiotics. Several of them developed jaundice, and one of them died six months after the incident showing symptoms compatible with subacute liver failure. A radiochemical organ analysis revealed that only the bones were clearly contaminated with fission products. In the 1990s, many surviving crewmen were diagnosed with hepatitis C, incurred probably from blood transfusions that were often contaminated at the time, and died from hepatocellular carcinomas. Thyroid dysfunctions were not reported. The Castle Bravo case permits to study the health hazards resulting from early fallout independently from the prompt effects of a nuclear detonation. The prevailing external irradiation was confirmed, except for the thyroid with a higher dose resulting from radioiodine incorporation mainly caused by ingestion. As shown for the Japanese fishermen, the risks incurred by medical treatments must be carefully weighed against the benefits of the therapeutic intervention. The cause of death of the only short-term fatality is not fully elucidated, but is consistent with liver failure due to transfusion hepatitis rather than radiation effects.

The properties and health hazards from early nuclear weapon fallout: The Castle Bravo incident revisited

/pdf/la-necessaire-evolution-de-la-preparation-et-de-la-gestion-scxzpghy.pdf

La nécessaire évolution de la préparation et de la gestion post-accidentelle nucléaire

The French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) issued in 2012 a first version of a doctrine establishing the principles of management of a post-accidental situation following a major nuclear accident. Since this publication, the feedback of the Fukushima-Daiichi accident continued and numerous evolutions occurred, both in French and European regulations and in international recommendations from IAEA and ICRP. This had led to further developments in the French doctrine for management of a post-accidental situation. This will result in the publication of a new version of the French doctrine next year. This evolution also prompted questioning about the existence of such doctrines in other countries, especially in neighboring countries. It appeared also interesting to evaluate the agreement of these doctrines, including the French one, with international recommendations, especially the recently published general safety requirements (GSR), part 11, from IAEA. A benchmark study comparing the different post-accidental management doctrines available was then conducted and is presented here.

https://www.radioprotection.org/articles/radiopro/pdf/2022/01/radiopro210072.pdf

O. Riviere

Papers

Comparative study of nuclear post-accident management doctrines in Europe and North America