• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.195-206
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• 2020

Although the national radiological emergency response system has been improved by incorporating lessons from the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident and recent domestic natural disasters, it has not fully incorporated these lessons. In addition, it cannot deal with a variety of aftermath of the radiological disaster. Even for the same disaster, the national emergency response system should comply with multiple domestic laws in our country. Furthermore, there are a few discrepancies between the articles of the domestic laws that the national radiological emergency response system should address. Therefore, this study investigates the characteristics of radiological disasters, examines articles on the domestic laws related to the national radiological emergency response system, and analyses the Japanese government's responses to the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident. Based on the results of the review, suggestions for the improvement of the national radiological emergency response system in terms of response organization and framework have been proposed in this study.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.301-309
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• 2016

Background: A contamination screening process for the local population in radiation emergencies is discussed. Materials and Methods: We present an overview of the relevant Korean governmental regulations that underpin the development of an effective response system. Moreover, case studies of foreign countries responding to mass casualties are presented, and indicate that responses should be able to handle a large demand for contamination screening of the local public as well as screening of the immediate victims of the incident. Results and Discussion: We propose operating procedures for an off-site contamination screening post operated by the local government for members of the public who have not been directly harmed in the accident. In order to devise screening categories, sorting strategies assessing contamination and exposure are discussed, as well as a psychological response system. Conclusion: This study will lead to the effective operation of contamination screening clinics if an accident occurs. Furthermore, the role of contamination screening clinics in the overall context of the radiation emergency treatment system should be clearly established.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.83-90
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• 2017

Background: Different cases exist in the measurement of thyroid radiobioassays owing to the individual characteristics of the subjects, especially the potential variation in the counting efficiency. An In situ Object Counting System (ISOCS) was developed to perform an efficiency calibration based on the Monte Carlo calculation, as an alternative to conventional calibration methods. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the applicability of ISOCS to thyroid radiobioassays by comparison with a conventional thyroid monitoring system. Materials and Methods: The efficiency calibration of a portable high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector was performed using ISOCS software. In contrast, the conventional efficiency calibration, which needed a radioactive material, was applied to a scintillator-based thyroid monitor. Four radioiodine samples that contained $^{125}I$ and $^{131}I$ in both aqueous solution and gel forms were measured to evaluate radioactivity in the thyroid. ANSI/HPS N13.30 performance criteria, which included the relative bias, relative precision, and root-mean-squared error, were applied to evaluate the performance of the measurement system. Results and Discussion: The portable HPGe detector could measure both radioiodines with ISOCS but the thyroid monitor could not measure $^{125}I$ because of the limited energy resolution of the NaI(Tl) scintillator. The $^{131}I$ results from both detectors agreed to within 5% with the certified results. Moreover, the $^{125}I$ results from the portable HPGe detector agreed to within 10% with the certified results. All measurement results complied with the ANSI/HPS N13.30 performance criteria. Conclusion: The results of the intercomparison program indicated the feasibility of applying ISOCS software to direct thyroid radiobioassays. The portable HPGe detector with ISOCS software can provide the convenience of efficiency calibration and higher energy resolution for identifying photopeaks, compared with a conventional thyroid monitor with a NaI(Tl) scintillator. The application of ISOCS software in a radiation emergency can improve the response in terms of internal contamination monitoring.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.333-338
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• 2016

Background: In case of radiation emergencies, internal exposure monitoring for the members of public will be required to confirm internal contamination of each individual. In-vivo monitoring technique using portable gamma spectrometer can be easily applied for internal exposure monitoring in the vicinity of the on-site area. Materials and Methods: In this study, minimum detectable doses (MDDs) for $^{134}Cs$, $^{137}Cs$, and $^{131}I$ were calculated adjusting minimum detectable activities (MDAs) from 50 to 1,000 Bq to find out the optimal in-vivo counting condition. DCAL software was used to derive retention fraction of Cs and I isotopes in the whole body and thyroid, respectively. A minimum detect-able level was determined to set committed effective dose of 0.1 mSv for emergency response. Results and Discussion: We found that MDDs at each MDA increased along with the elapsed time. 1,000 Bq for $^{134}Cs$ and $^{137}Cs$, and 100 Bq for $^{131}I$ were suggested as optimal MDAs to provide in-vivo monitoring service in case of radiation emergencies. Conclusion: In-vivo monitoring program for emergency response should be designed to achieve the optimal MDA suggested from the present work. We expect that a reduction of counting time compared with routine monitoring program can achieve the high throughput system in case of radiation emergencies.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.67-77
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• 1988

The necessity of developing a rapid dose assessment system has been emphasized for an effective emergency response of mitigation of off-site radiological consequences. A microcomputer program based on a rapid dose assessment model of the off-site radiological consequences is developed for various accdident sinarios for the Nuclear Power Plants in Korea. This model, which is consists of the user answering-question input format as a menu driven method and the output format of table and graphic types, is helpful to decision-making on Emergency Preparedness by being more rapidly able to implement the off-site dose assessment and to interpret the result.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.50-73
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• 2009

This paper is about the establishment of "Initial Response System." Initial response system is most important and should be treated urgently among all preparations for chemical terrorism. The objects of Initial response system are to protect civilians and the first responder who are exposed directly to chemical terrorism. Therefore, this paper suggests two main issues about Initial response system. One is to prepare immediate and exact information service system which assures the safety and survival of exposed people. The other is to build Scene Response System integrated with Command-Control Procedure for early finished situation. Compared to United States, overcoming the Chemical Terrorism requires to improve the contents of two categories: Counter Citizen Response part and Initial Scene Response part. For Counter citizen response part' s sake, the web-sites of Response leader agencies for searching information about chemical terrorism should be modified specifically. These web-sites have to be re-organized in detail. The existing Information service system which has been vaguely informed as "CBRNE Accident" needs to be divided as "CBRNE Accident" and "WMD terrorism." Further, each of them should be specialized in "Chemical', "Biological", and "Radiological" categories. There is a need to rearrange current Emergency Instruction for civilians against chemical terrorism in feasible way. At the same time, it should be applied consistently to all organizations through agreement between experts and related-organizations. For Initial Scene Response part's sake, "Initial scene response procedure (SOP)" and "Operational conception" should be produced through Simulated Exercises and workshops of all organizations related with initial response. These organizations have to cooperate with Ministry of Environment which is the main leader Agency as the center. Next, there is a need to develop a technology and Scene Response Equipments, and to standardize the response equipments which consider the capability of First Responders for chemical terrorism. Especially, improving capability of equipments is required to overcome the vulnerability of Scene Response Equipments.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2022

This study is to develop a mobile type environmental radiation measurement system for emergency response or environmental radiation monitoring of local governments near nuclear facilities. A mobile radiation measurement system can monitor radiation by field beyond the spatial constraints of a fixed environmental radiation monitor. If installed in local government infrastructure such as public transportation, environmental radiation can be monitored without additional manpower and measurement work. In addition, it is designed to enable monitoring and measurement of radiation from low to high doses as well as the environment in preparation for radioactive disasters such as nuclear power plant accidents. It is expected that this system will be utilized not only in normal times but also in the event of a radiation accident to improve the disaster prevention capabilities of local governments.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.436-441
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• 2016

Background: Although nuclear disaster is considered rare, its effects are serious, and we must prepare a system to enable an effective response. Materials and Methods: Since 2010, we have been offering a two-day seminar to provide current nurses and radiological technologists with basic knowledge and train them in radiation emergency medicine (REM) techniques. This training offers lectures to deepen each specialty from the perspective of REM, as well as exercises on ways to handle irradiated and/or contaminated patients. Participants were expected to treat patients according to the concept of REM. Results and Discussion: All participants learn to assess and decontaminate contaminated wounds through drills. The questionnaire survey for participants indicated that participants were satisfied with this training and wanted to attend again. Conclusion: We believe that this training course will provide a valuable opportunity for medical professionals to gain knowledge and expertise in REM.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.21 no.3
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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.

• Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.95-103
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• 2022

Quick and accurate understanding of the situation in a severe accident is essential for conducting the appropriate accident management and response using the accident diagnosis information. This study employed deep learning technology to diagnose severe accidents through the major safety parameters transferred from a nuclear power plant (NPP) to AtomCARE. After selecting the major accident scenarios to consider, a learning database was established for particular scenarios affiliated with major scenarios by performing a large number of severe accident analyses using MAAP5 code. The severe accident diagnosis technology, which classifies detailed accident scenarios using the major safety parameters from NPPs, was developed by training it with the established database . Verification and validation were conducted by blind test and principal component analysis. The technology developed in this study is expected to be extended and applied to all severe accident scenarios and be utilized as a base technology for quick and accurate severe accident diagnosis.