Support to triage and public risk perception considering long-term response to a Cs-137 radiological dispersive device scenario

Abstract

A radiological dispersive device (RDD) spreads radioactive material, complicates the treatment of physical injuries, raises cancer risk, and induces disproportionate fear. Simulating such an event enables more effective and efficient utilization of the triage and treatment resources of staff, facilities, and space. Fast simulation can give detail on events in progress or future events. The resources for triage and treatment of contaminated trauma victims can differ for pure exposure individuals, while discouraging the "worried well" from presenting in the crisis phase by media announcement would relieve pressure on hospital facilities. The proposed methodology integrates capabilities from different platforms in a convergent way composed of three phases: (a) scenario simulation, (b) data generation, and (c) risk assessment for triage focused on follow-up epidemiological assessment. Simulations typically indicate that most of the affected population does not require immediate medical assistance. Medical triage for the few severely injured and the radiological triage to diminish the contamination with radioactivity will always be the priority. For this study, however, higher priorities should be given to individuals from radiological "warm" and "hot" zones as required by risk criteria. The proposed methodology could thus help to (a) filter and reduce the number of individuals to be attended, (b) optimize the prioritization of medical care,

Radiological risk evaluation applied to aerial evacuation procedures in a nuclear scenario

“…Tools for modelling consequences based on the prognosis of the contamination plume have been gaining prominence in support of decision-making [3][4][5]. Usually, this category of method has a high level of complexity.…”

Radiological urban threat due to special protective actions from security forces

“…Such an improvised device has been being studied with increased frequency over the time. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] This study addresses the conventional explosion of a package containing radioactive material as the ''event. ''…”

“…The explosion can transform a suspicious object into a real radiological dispersive device (RDD), sometimes called as “dirty bomb.” Such an improvised device has been being studied with increased frequency over the time. 1–7 This study addresses the conventional explosion of a package containing radioactive material as the “event.”…”

A modeled radiological dispersive device release and the impact to decision-making in an urban environment

“…This weapon is de signed for spread ing ra dio ac tive ma te rial across an in hab ited area in a way that con sid er able re sources are needed to mit i gate its effects. An RDD can gen er ate dam ages, and po ten tial threats of so cial or i gin to the pub lic [1][2][3].…”