Evaluation on review of screening level of simple measurement of radioactive iodine radioactivity in the thyroid in the case of a nuclear accident

Hokama, Tomonori; Kimura, Masanori; Togawa, Orihiko

JAEA-Research 2023-010, 57 Pages, 2024/02

JAEA-Research-2023-010.pdf:3.29MB

In the case of a nuclear accident, itis planned to perform simple measurement of radioactive iodine radioactivity in the thyroid of residents. The screening level for simple measurement is set at 0.20 Sv/h as a reference, and it is required to be reviewed appropriately according to the situation such as a nuclear accident. However, a specific method for reviewing the screening level is not shown. When reviewing the screening level, it is important to take into account factors related to the feasibility of simple measurement, such as the judgment level for internal exposure dose of the thyroid and the duration of the measurement period. In this study, we organized the derivation process of 0.20 Sv/h, which was set as the reference for screening level, and considered the feasibility of the reviewing of screening level. We calculated the relationship between the judgment level and the duration of simple measurement for each screening level, ranging from 0.025 to 0.50 Sv/h. Then, the feasibility of the reviewing of screening level was considered. It was found that reviewing the screening level is technically feasible, provided that the judgment level and the duration of simple measurement are appropriate. However, assuming that simple measurement will be performed in an actual nuclear accident, we assessed that it would be reasonable to review the screening level within the range of 0.030 to 0.20 Sv/h, in a situation where the duration of simple measurement must be extended.

Consideration on utilization of atmospheric dispersion models for a nuclear emergency preparedness and response

Togawa, Orihiko; Okura, Takehisa; Kimura, Masanori; Nagai, Haruyasu

JAEA-Review 2021-021, 61 Pages, 2021/11

JAEA-Review-2021-021.pdf:3.72MB

Triggered by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident, there have been a lot of arguments among various situations and levels about utilization of atmospheric dispersion models for a nuclear emergency preparedness and response. Most of these arguments, however, were alternative and extreme discussions on whether predictions by computational models could be applied or not for protective measures in a nuclear emergency, and it was hard to say that these arguments were politely conducted, based on scientific verification in an emergency response. It was known, on the other hand, that there were not a few potential users of atmospheric dispersion models and/or calculation results by the models within the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) and outside. However, they seemed to have a lack of understanding and a misunderstanding on proper use of different kinds of atmospheric dispersion models. This report compares an outline of models and calculation method in atmospheric dispersion models for a nuclear emergency preparedness and response, with a central focus on the models which have been developed and used in the JAEA. Examples of calculations by these models are also described in the report. This report aims at contributing to future consideration and activities for potential users of atmospheric dispersion models within the JAEA and outside.

Development of database of dose reduction factor for reducing equivalent doses to the thyroid by implementing iodine thyroid blocking (Contract research)

Kimura, Masanori; Munakata, Masahiro; Hato, Shinji*; Kanno, Mitsuhiro*

JAEA-Data/Code 2020-002, 38 Pages, 2020/03

JAEA-Data-Code-2020-002.pdf:3.23MB

To consider the method of implementing urgent protective actions in a nuclear accident appropriately, the authors have been assessing the effects of reducing doses by taking urgent protective actions using a Level 3 Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) code, the OSCAAR, developed by the JAEA. Iodine thyroid blocking is an effective urgent protective action to reduce equivalent doses to the thyroid due to inhalation of radioactive iodine. However, the timing of the administration of stable iodine (SI) is important to maximize the effectiveness for thyroidal blocking. Therefore, the careful consideration should be given to the most effective way of iodine thyroid blocking when preparing off-site emergency plans. In the present study, the authors developed a new metabolic model for thyroid by combining the respiratory tract model (Publ.66) and gastrointestinal tract model (Publ.30) of the ICRP with a metabolic model for thyroid (Johnson's model) in order to calculate the behavior of radioiodine and stable iodine in the body more realistically. The model is useful to evaluate the effect of the administration of SI for reducing equivalent doses to the thyroid depending on the its timing. We also calculated the reduction factor for equivalent doses to the thyroid in order to the thyroid by using the model, and then developed the its database for the OSCAAR. Consequently, the OSCAAR can evaluate the effectiveness for thyroidal blocking realistically and promptly.

Introduction and implementation of physical protection measures including trustworthiness program at Tokai Reprocessing Facilities

Nakamura, Hironobu; Kimura, Takashi; Yamazaki, Katsuyuki; Kitao, Takahiko; Tasaki, Takashi; Iida, Toru

Proceedings of International Conference on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities (Internet), 9 Pages, 2018/09

After the accident of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, to develop effective security measures based on the lesson learned from such crisis and to meet the IAEA Nuclear Security Recommendations (INFCIRC/225/Rev.5), NRA in Japan made a partial amendment of the regulations concerning the reprocessing activity in 2012. The Tokai reprocessing facility implemented all of those security measures by the end of March 2014. Those new measures help us to keep high degree of security level and contributed to our planned operations to reduce the potential risk of the plant. On the other hand, the trustworthiness program was newly introduced in 2016, based on the trustworthiness policy determined by NRA. The implementing entity of the program is JAEA for the Tokai Reprocessing Facility and is required for both the persons afford unescorted access to Category I and II, CAS/SAS, and the persons afford access to the sensitive information. Those who are involved this program will be judged before engaging the work whether they might act as insider to cause or assist radiological sabotage or unauthorized removal of nuclear material, or leak sensitive information. The program is expected as a measure against insider at reprocessing facilities, and is expected to be enforced around the autumn of 2017. As well as the establishment of security measures, the promoting nuclear security culture for all employees was a big challenge. The Tokai reprocessing facility have introduced several security culture activities, such as case study education of security events done by a small group and putting up the security culture poster and so on. This paper presents introduction and implementation with effectiveness of security measures in the Tokai reprocessing facilities and the future security measures applied to the reprocessing facilities are discussed.

Report on activities related to fostering nuclear security culture in Tokai Reprocessing Facility

Kitao, Takahiko; Takeuchi, Yoshikatsu; Kimura, Takashi; Kojima, Junji; Shioya, Satoshi; Tasaki, Takashi; Nakamura, Hironobu

Nihon Kaku Busshitsu Kanri Gakkai Dai-38-Kai Nenji Taikai Rombunshu (Internet), 9 Pages, 2018/04

In order to ensure and strengthen nuclear security measures, an active cultivation of nuclear security culture implemented by both entire organization and individual persons is vitally essential. Tokai reprocessing facility has conducted various activities such as case study education and training, yearly posters and patrolling the site by upper-level management that all employees hold a deep rooted belief that there is a credible insider and outsider threat, and that nuclear security is important. These activities are conducted in order to establish the foundation of beliefs and attitudes of effective nuclear security culture based on the IAEA guideline. This report introduces our activities fostering nuclear security culture in Tokai reprocessing facility that the evaluation and the continuous improvement of bidirectional activities by both top-down from multiple management levels and bottom-up from individual employee, and our challenges need to be worked on for the future.

Survey on evacuation facilities in case of nuclear emergency in Shimane prefecture (Contract research)

Takahara, Shogo; Watanabe, Masatoshi; Oguri, Tomomi; Kimura, Masanori; Hirouchi, Jun; Munakata, Masahiro; Homma, Toshimitsu

JAEA-Data/Code 2016-016, 65 Pages, 2017/02

JAEA-Data-Code-2016-016.pdf:2.32MB

We surveyed on structural and material data on 22 facilities which are listed in local disaster management plan in Matsue city. These facilities can be divided into educational facilities, communal facilities and gymnastic hall. Height and floor-area of rooms, as well as window-area were collected as the structural data. We also collected information on constructional materials, and density of those. In addition, mass-thicknesses of the constructional materials were evaluated based on our surveys, and compared to the previous studies which were made in Japan, U.S., and European countries. Consequently, it was found that there is no significant difference of mass-thickness of constructional materials between the results of our surveys and the previous studies. However, for gymnastic hall, since thin metal plates are used for roofs, we can point out that the mass-thickness of roofs are much lower than those for other concrete facilities and clay tile roofing wooden houses.

Conceptual proposal of new detection method for unauthorized removal of nuclear materials from glovebox

Mukai, Yasunobu; Nakamura, Hironobu; Tanigawa, Masafumi; Nakamichi, Hideo; Umino, Yoshinori; Fujisaku, Sakae; Kimura, Takashi; Kurita, Tsutomu

Kaku Busshitsu Kanri Gakkai (INMM) Nihon Shibu Dai-36-Kai Nenji Taikai Rombunshu (Internet), 9 Pages, 2015/12

When the unauthorized removal of nuclear materials (NM) from glovebox (GB) by an insider happens, it needs to be detected and reported immediately. In this time, for utilization of the security counterplan, the feasibility of a new detection concept for the unauthorized removal was investigated with implementation of several experiments considering actual GB operation. In general, the detection method using radiation monitor is thought of easily. However, it is very difficult to distinguish between authorized NM movement during operation and the unauthorized removal. To solve this subject, JAEA focused on negative pressure monitoring of GB, and investigated a new detection concept combining the neutron and negative pressure monitoring. As a result of the experiments in small-scale GB, it was revealed that this new concept had the capability to detect the unauthorized removal and to alarm to central alarm station rapidly, and had the possibility to enhance the effectiveness of the current physical protection measures.

Evaluation of averted doses to members of the public by tap water restrictions after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident

Kinase, Sakae; Kimura, Masanori; Hato, Shinji*

Progress in Nuclear Science and Technology (Internet), 4, p.5 - 8, 2014/04

https://doi.org/10.15669/pnst.4.5

Development of internal dosimetry evaluation code for chronic exposure after intake of radionuclides

Kimura, Masanori; Kinase, Sakae; Hato, Shinji*

Progress in Nuclear Science and Technology (Internet), 4, p.60 - 63, 2014/04

http://www.aesj.or.jp/publication/pnst004/data/060_063.pdf

Probabilistic assessment of doses to the public living in areas contaminated by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident

Takahara, Shogo; Iijima, Masashi; Shimada, Kazumasa; Kimura, Masanori; Homma, Toshimitsu

Radiation Monitoring and Dose Estimation of the Fukushima Nuclear Accident, p.197 - 214, 2014/02

AA2013-0338.pdf:0.29MB

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-54583-5_18

The aim of this study is to provide the scientifically-based quantitative information about a range of received doses to the evacuees from the evacuation areas and the deliberate evacuation areas. To achieve the aim, we adopted a probabilistic approach. The dose assessments were performed based on the measurement data of the surface activity concentrations of Cs and the results of actual survey on behavioral patterns of the population groups living in Fukushima Prefecture. As the result of assessments, the 95th percentile of the annual effective doses received by the inhabitants evacuated from the evacuation areas were mainly in the 1-10 mSv dose band in the first year after the contamination. However, the 95th percentile of the doses received by some outdoor workers, inhabitants evacuated from the deliberate evacuation areas and highly contaminated areas were in the 10-50 mSv dose band.