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. 2022 Jan 1;122(1):84-124.
doi: 10.1097/HP.0000000000001503.

A Methodology for Calculation of Internal Dose Following Exposure to Radioactive Fallout from the Detonation of a Nuclear Fission Device

Lynn R Anspaugh  1 , André Bouville  2 , Kathleen M Thiessen  3 , F Owen Hoffman  4 , Harold L Beck  5 , Konstantin I Gordeev  6 , Steven L Simon  7
Affiliations

A Methodology for Calculation of Internal Dose Following Exposure to Radioactive Fallout from the Detonation of a Nuclear Fission Device

Lynn R Anspaugh et al. Health Phys. .

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to provide a methodology for the calculation of internal doses of radiation following exposure to radioactive fallout from the detonation of a nuclear fission device. Reliance is on methodology previously published in the open literature or in reports not readily available, though some new analysis is also included. Herein, we present two methodologic variations: one simpler to implement, the other more difficult but more flexible. The intention is to provide in one place a comprehensive methodology. Pathways considered are (1) the ingestion of vegetables and fruits contaminated by fallout directly, (2) the ingestion of vegetables and fruits contaminated by continuing deposition by rain- or irrigation-splash and resuspension, (3) the ingestion of vegetables and fruits contaminated by absorption of radionuclides by roots after tillage of soil, (4) the non-equilibrium transfer of short-lived radionuclides through the cow-milk and goat-milk food chains, (5) the equilibrium transfer of long lived radionuclides through milk and meat food chains, and (6) inhalation of descending fallout. Uncertainty in calculated results is considered. This is one of six companion papers that describe a comprehensive methodology for assessing both external and internal dose following exposures to fallout from a nuclear detonation. Input required to implement the dose-estimation model for any particular location consists of an estimate of the post-detonation external gamma-exposure rate and an estimate of the time of arrival of the fallout cloud. The additional data required to make such calculations are included in the six companion papers.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The concentration in milk of 131I, 133I, and 135I as a function of time following an acute deposition of fallout on pasture. The relative amounts of the radioiodines are as defined in Table 1a for a deposition at H + 3 h.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Dose coefficients as a function of particle size for two radionuclides of major importance for infants and adults. Values of dose coefficients are from Melo et al. (2022).
Fig. 3a
Fig. 3a
Thyroid dose for adults from inhalation of particles in the indicated size range per mR h−1 as a function of N50 using default activity-particle-size distribution.dose to adult per mR h−1 as a function of N50 using default activity particle size distribution.
Fig. 3b
Fig. 3b
Colon dose for adults from inhalation of particles in the indicated size range per mR h−1 as a function of N50 using default activity-particle-size distributions.
Fig. B1
Fig. B1
Fraction of total beta activity on particles <88-μm particles (physical diameter) as a function of N50. The dashed line is our estimate of the values on the trace axis that represent the actual fraction of activity for that value of N50.
Fig. B2
Fig. B2
Fraction of total beta activity on particles of various physical diameter (μm) as a function of N50.
Fig. B3
Fig. B3
Estimated fraction of total deposited beta activity in the indicated aerodynamic particle-size range (Nj) as a function of N50.
Fig. B4
Fig. B4
Activity-weighted average of (1/vd) over indicated aerodynamic particle size range vs. N50.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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