• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.133-140
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• 2016

Backgrounds: The accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), March 2011, caused serious radioactive contamination over wide area in east Japan. Therefore, it is important to know the effect of the accident and the status of NPP. Materials and Methods: This paper provides a review on the status of radiation dose and radioactive contamination caused by the accident on the basis of publicized information. Results and Discussion: Monitoring of radiation dose and exposure dose of residents has been conducted extensively by the governments and various organizations. The effective dose of general residents due to the accident proved to be less than a mSv both for external and internal dose. The equivalent committed dose of thyroid was evaluated to be a few mSv in mean value and less than 50 mSv even for children. Monitoring of radioactivity concentration has been carried out on food ingredients, milk and tap water, and actual meal. These studies indicated the percentage of foods above the regulation standard was over 10% in 2011 but decreasing steadily with time. The internal dose due to foods proved to be tens of ${\mu}Sv$ and much less than that due to natural $^{40}K$ even in the Fukushima area and decreasing steadily, although high level concentration is still observed in wild plants, wild mushrooms, animals and some kind of fishes. Conclusion: According to extensive studies, not only the effect of the accident but also the pathway and countermeasures against radioactive contamination have been revealed, and they are applied very effectively for restoration of environment and reconstruction of the area.

• 방사선산업학회지
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.265-273
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• 2023

To effectively and safely manage the radiation exposure to nuclear power plant (NPP) workers in accidents, major overseas NPP operators such as the United States, Germany, and France have developed and applied realistic 3D model radiation dose assessment software for workers. Continuous research and development have recently been conducted, such as performing NPP accident management using 3D-VR based on As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) planning tool. In line with this global trend, it is also required to secure technology to manage radiation exposure of workers in Korea efficiently. Therefore, in this paper, it is described the application method and assessment results of radiation exposure scenarios for workers in response to accidents assessment technology, which is one of the fundamental technologies for constructing a realistic platform to be utilized for radiation exposure prediction, diagnosis, management, and training simulations following accidents. First, the post-accident sampling after the Loss of Coolant Accident(LOCA) was selected as the accident and response scenario, and the assessment area related to this work was established. Subsequently, the structures within the assessment area were modeled using MCNP, and the radiation source of the equipment was inputted. Based on this, the radiation dose distribution in the assessment area was assessed. Afterward, considering the three principles of external radiation protection (time, distance, and shielding) detailed work scenarios were developed by varying the number of workers, the presence or absence of a shield, and the location of the shield. The radiation exposure doses received by workers were compared and analyzed for each scenario, and based on the results, the optimal accident response scenario was derived. The results of this study plan to be utilized as a fundamental technology to ensure the safety of workers through simulations targeting various reactor types and accident response scenarios in the future. Furthermore, it is expected to secure the possibility of developing a data-based ALARA decision support system for predicting radiation exposure dose at NPP sites.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제49권2호
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• pp.65-67
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• 2024

This review is based on articles published in Japanese Journal of Health Physics on "Radiation-exposed medical care and waste" related to Tokyo Electric Power Company Incorporated (TEPCO)'s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident. Here, we have considered three original articles; one technical data, one special article, one 50^th anniversary article, one preface, three topics, and two cases of From Japan to the World (J to W). These articles have reported the system and standards that were established after the accident. Moreover, they have summarized rare experiences such as the fumbling response at the time and the evaluation of samples in that disaster. These articles constitute valuable records of the situation.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제39권2호
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• pp.103-108
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• 2014

Following the emergency work in Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, more attention was paid for the radiation protection of workers working under severe accident condition. The protection procedure for the emergency workers, including the on-site emergency center, the seismic isolated building and the reestablishment of the radiation protection framework were analyzed to investigate drawbacks and deficiencies which led to adverse effects on the emergency planning and on emergency workers' health and comfort. Those drawbacks were identified and studied, and then suggestions were made to enhance the emergency working condition to avoid any future problems during severe accident emergency work and management.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.45-52
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• 1981

The March 1979 accident at Three Mile Island provided physicians specializing in radiation medicine an opportunity to observe the field under conditions never seen before. Since no, injuries occurred at the site or within the community, medical personnel were immediately involved in efforts to allay fear, provide accurate information, and replace labortory resources rendered ineffective by the release in the reactor building. Valuable insights concerning medical emergency planning are derived from the accident; suggestions are made for handling any future mishaps.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.16-25
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• 2020

Background: To investigate radiological effects on biota, it is necessary to assess radiation dose for flora and fauna living in a terrestrial ecosystem. This paper presents a dynamic model to assess radioactivity concentration and radiation dose of terrestrial flora and fauna after a nuclear accident. Materials and Methods: Litter, organic soil, mineral soil, trees, wild crops, herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores are considered the major components of a terrestrial ecosystem. The model considers the physicochemical and biological processes of interception, weathering, decomposition of litter, percolation, root uptake, leaching, radioactive decay, and biological loss of animals. The predictive capability of the model was investigated by comparison of its predictions with field data for biota measured in the Fukushima forest area after the Fukushima nuclear accident. Results and Discussion: The predicted radioactive cesium inventories for trees agreed well with those for evergreens and deciduous trees sampled in the Fukushima area. The predicted temporal radioactivity concentrations for animals were within the range of the measured radioactivity concentrations of deer, wild boars, and black bears. The radiation dose for the animals were, for the whole simulation time, estimated to be much smaller than the lower limit (0.1 mGy·d^-1) of the derived consideration reference level given by the International Commission on Radiological Protection for terrestrial flora and fauna. This suggested that the radiation effect of the accident on the biota in the Fukushima forest would be insignificant. Conclusion: The present dynamic model can be used effectively to investigate the radiological risk to terrestrial ecosystems following a nuclear accident.

• 방사선산업학회지
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.217-221
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• 2024

This study aims to evaluate the radiation dose received by workers within the auxiliary building of the Saeul Units 1 and 2 during a severe accident. To achieve this, representative accident scenarios were selected, and operator actions required by the severe accident management guidelines were derived to present a methodology for dose assessment. The study utilized MAAP5.06 to analyze severe accidents and employed MAAP DOSE to evaluate worker radiation exposure. Among the three operator actions considered, the direct spray action on the reactor building outer wall-side penetration resulted in the highest estimated radiation dose. This is likely because the workers are deployed near the reactor building penetration, exposing them to higher radiation levels. Future plans include the optimization of dose performance by comparing these findings with evaluations conducted using MCNP, and the development of a data-driven ALARA decision support system for predicting and diagnosing radiation exposure on nuclear sites to ensure worker safety during severe accidents.

• 방사선산업학회지
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.39-45
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• 2017

A cyclotron is a kind of particle accelerator that produces a beam of charged particles for the production of medical, industrial, and research radioisotopes. More than 30 cyclotrons are operated in Korea to produce $^{18}F$, an FDG synthesis at hospitals. A 30-MeV cyclotron was installed at ARTI (Advanced Radiation Technology Institute, KAERI) mainly for research regarding isotope production. In this study, we analyze and estimate the items of risk such as the problems in the main components of the cyclotron, the loss of radioactive materials, the leakage of coolant, and the malfunction of utilities, fires and earthquakes. To estimate the occurrence frequency in an accident risk assessment, five levels, i.e., Almost certain, Likely, Possible, Unlikely, and Rare, are applied. The accident consequence level is classified under four grades based on the annual permissible dose for radiation workers and the public in the nuclear safety law. The analysis of the accident effect is focused on the radioactive contamination caused by radioisotope leakage and radioactive material leakage of a ventilation filter due to a fire. To analyze the risks, Occupation Safety and Health Acts is applied. In addition, action plans against an accident were prepared after a deep discussion among relevant researchers. In this acts, we will search for hazard and introduce the risk assessment for the research 30-MeV cyclotron facilities of ARTI.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2012

2011년 3월 11일 발생한 일본 후쿠시마 원전 사고 1주년을 계기로 한국 국민의 방사선 인식도를 조사하고자 하였다. 연구 방법론적 설계는 양적 조사로 하고, 빈도 분석을 하였다. 분석 대상은 전국에서 무작위로 추출한 일반인으로부터 수거한 설문 응답지 2754부이다. 연구 도구는 설문지이며, 직접 배포한 뒤 수거하였다. 설문은 40문항으로 구성하였으며, 하위영역별 크론바하 알파(Cronbach's ${\alpha}$) 계수는 '방사선의 자아인식' 0.620, '방사선의 위험' 0.830, '방사선의 편익' 0.781, '방사선의 관리' 0.685, '방사선의 정보원' 0.831, '후쿠시마 사고의 영향 정도' 0.763으로 모두 높게 나타났다. 설문 분석 결과 응답자의 방사선 개념에 대한 지식은 100점 만점 환산 평균 69.5점이며, 이는 자신들이 '방사선에 대해 잘 알고 있다'고 응답한 비율 53.7%, '보통 알고 있다'는 응답이 37.4%인 것과는 상당히 다른 결과다. '방사선이 위험하다'고 느끼는 중요 원인 중 하나는 '방사선에 노출되면 지금은 아니더라도 다음 세대에 문제가 생길 수 있기 때문'(66.1%)으로 분석됐다. 방사선에 대한 정부 발표를 믿지 못하는 응답자가 41%에 이르러 정부에 대한 불신이 높았다. 후쿠시마 원전 사고 때문에 원전을 운영하지 말아야 한다는 쪽으로 생각을 바꾼 응답자도 39.5%나 됐다. 본 연구는 후쿠시마 원전 사고 이후 방사선에 대한 한국 국민의 인식을 처음 조사한 것으로 그 의의가 크다. 향후 방사선에 대한 정부의 정책 수립에도 크게 기여할 것으로 기대된다.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.201-215
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• 1996

Radiation and radioactive materials serve man in many beneficial ways. Diagnostic X-ray, radiation therapy, and other nuclear medicine uses of radioactivity save thousands of lives each year. Industrial application of radiation, such as radiography, make many manufactured products more reliable and less expensive. Nuclear power plants are producing more electrical power each year and reducing our dependence on imported oil. However, radiation can and dose produce harmful effects particularly as the reault of a radiation accident in which a victim receives as the result of a radiation accident in which a victim receives a large dose. Fortunately such accidents are very rare and recently we need more electric power produced by nuclear power plants. Considering increase of use of radiation or radioactive materials, we have to establish the radiological emergency response system prepared for radiation accidents.