Title: Effective use of radiation monitoring data and dispersion calculations in an emergency

Authors: Juhani Lahtinen, Harri Toivonen, Riitta Hanninen

Addresses: Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), P.O. Box 14, Helsinki FIN-00881, Finland. ' Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), P.O. Box 14, Helsinki FIN-00881, Finland. ' Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), P.O. Box 14, Helsinki FIN-00881, Finland

Abstract: An essential prerequisite for the proper management of a radiation emergency is that measurement data and calculation prognoses are available and that they are produced in an efficient manner. This paper reviews some of the factors contributing to the practice of performing radiation measurements and atmospheric-dispersion-model calculations effectively and discusses the issues related to the uncertainties and interpretation of results. It stresses the importance of various advance analyses and preprepared strategies and recommends a database architecture for the management of dispersion-model calculation results.

Keywords: radiation emergencies; radiation monitoring; atmospheric dispersion models; situation analyses; data uncertainty; monitoring strategy; radiological emergency; nuclear emergency; emergency management; emergency preparedness; uncertainty.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEM.2007.014298

International Journal of Emergency Management, 2007 Vol.4 No.3, pp.468 - 480

Published online: 30 Jun 2007 *

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