The difficulty of nuclear emergency prevention measures during natural disasters: ongoing challenges in Japan.

It is crucial to anticipate nuclear emergency scenarios and implement effective measures. Japan's climate and topography make it vulnerable to natural disasters; thus, it is necessary to address compounding and cascading disaster scenarios involving the simultaneous occurrence of natural and nuclear disasters. On 1 January 2024, an earthquake hit the Noto region of Ishikawa Prefecture, resulting in damage to the area around the Shika Nuclear Power Plant, located 90 km from the epicenter. This earthquake revealed that, in the event of a complex disaster, it is possible that residents living within 30 km of the Shika Nuclear Power Plant will be completely unprepared for a nuclear disaster. In the event of a complex disaster, it is crucial to implement appropriate countermeasures while balancing responses to both nuclear and natural disasters and optimizing radiation disaster prevention measures.

Indoor concentrations of radioactive aerosols from nuclear accidents.

In previous studies, some of the important factors that affect the spread of radioactive aerosols into indoors were considered. The studies were based on a new CFD approach and provided good descriptions for the deposition of aerosol particles inside small spaces and the penetration of aerosols into buildings through wall cracks. In this article, an application of those studies is implemented, where all the graphical relations that are required to estimate the indoor concentrations of radioactive aerosols from nuclear accidents are provided. This includes the deposition velocities, deposition rate, and the penetration factor. Particular interest is in the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant accident that took place in Japan in 2011. The aerosols carrying the radioiodine iodine-131 and the radiocesium cesium-134 and cesium-137 are studied. Based on the model's assumptions, and assuming steady-state air concentrations, the radioactive aerosols' concentrations in indoor air are about 97% of the concentrations in outdoor air. The applications demonstrate the model to be convenient and practical.

Decorporation dilemma: Interplay of prussian blue and potassium iodide in radioactive contamination.

The expansion of the nuclear industry has led to various radioactive effluents, originating from routine operations or catastrophic incidents such as those at Three Mile Island (USA), Chernobyl (Ukraine), and Fukushima (Japan). Research conducted after these events emphasizes Cesium-137 (137Cs) and iodine 131 (131I) as major contributors to harmful airborne dispersion and fallout. These isotopes infiltrate the human body via inhalation, ingestion, or wounds, posing significant health risks. Understanding contamination mechanisms and devising effective countermeasures are crucial in mitigating nuclear incident consequences. We propose that concurrent administration of Pru-Decorp™/Pru-Decorp-MG and potassium iodide (KI) could synergistically reduce the levels of 137Cs and block uptake of 131I, respectively, in nuclear incident scenarios. Pru-Decorp™ capsules contain insoluble ferric hexacyanoferrate(II) and are equivalent to USFDA-approved Radiogardase®-Cs, offering radiation exposure mitigation for Cs and Tl contamination. Pru-Decorp-MG capsules consist of insoluble PB and magnesium hydroxide, serving as a prophylactic measure to reduce the risk of internal Cs and Tl contamination for rescue responders. Pru-Decorp™/Pru-Decorp-MG binds Cs/Tl ions in the gastrointestinal tract, hindering absorption and promoting excretion, while KI saturates the thyroid gland with stable iodine, decreasing the uptake of radioactive iodine isotopes. Our hypothesis is supported by studies demonstrating the effectiveness of combination therapies, such as calcium alginate, iron(III) ferrocyanide, and KI, in decreasing the retention of radioisotopes in vital organs. To test this hypothesis, we propose a comprehensive research plan, including in vitro studies simulating gastrointestinal conditions, animal studies to evaluate the efficacy of both drugs simultaneously, and safety clinical trials comparing Pru-Decorp™/Pru-Decorp-MG alone, KI alone, and their combination. Expected outcomes include insights into the synergistic effects of Pru-Decorp™/Pru-Decorp-MG and KI, guiding the development of optimized treatment protocols for simultaneous administration during radioactive contamination incidents. This research aims to address significant critical gaps in nuclear incident preparedness by providing evidence-based recommendations for concurrent antidote use in scenarios involving multiple isotope contamination. Ultimately, this will enhance public health and safety during nuclear emergencies.

Rethinking the Role of Biodosimetry to Assess Risks for Acute Radiation Syndrome in Very Large Radiation Events: Reconsidering Legacy Concepts.

The development of effective uses of biodosimetry in large-scale events has been hampered by residual, i.e., "legacy" thinking based on strategies that scale up from biodosimetry in small accidents. Consequently, there remain vestiges of unrealistic assumptions about the likely magnitude of victims in "large" radiation events and incomplete analyses of the logistics for making biodosimetry measurements/assessments in the field for primary triage. Elements remain from an unrealistic focus on developing methods to use biodosimetry in the initial stage of triage for a million or more victims. Based on recent events and concomitant increased awareness of the potential for large-scale events as well as increased sophistication in planning and experience in the development of biodosimetry, a more realistic assessment of the most effective roles of biodosimetry in large-scale events is urgently needed. We argue this leads to a conclusion that the most effective utilization of biodosimetry in very large events would occur in a second stage of triage, after initially winnowing the population by identifying those most in need of acute medical attention, based on calculations of geographic sites where significant exposures could have occurred. Understanding the potential roles and limitations of biodosimetry in large-scale events involving significant radiation exposure should lead to development of the most effective and useful biodosimetric techniques for each stage of triage for acute radiation syndrome injuries, i.e., based on more realistic assumptions about the underlying event and the logistics for carrying out biodosimetry for large populations.

Society and Nuclear Energy: What Is the Role for Radiological Protection?

ABSTRACT: The harm that society expects from ionizing radiation does not match experience. Evidently there is some basic error in this assumption. A reconsideration based on scientific principles shows how simple misunderstandings have exaggerated dangers. The consequences for society are far-reaching. The immediate impact of ionizing radiation on living tissue is destructive. However, this oxidative damage is similar to that produced during normal metabolic activity where the subsequent biological reaction is not only protective but also stimulates enhanced protection. This adaptation means that the response to oxidative damage depends on past experience. Similarly, social reaction to a radiological accident depends on the regulations and attitudes generated by the perception of previous instances. These shape whether nuclear technology and ionizing radiation are viewed as beneficial or as matters to avoid. Evidence of the spurious damage to society caused by such persistent fear in the second half of the 20 th century suggests that these laws and attitudes should be rebased on evidence. The three stages of radiological impact-the initial physical damage, the subsequent biological response, and the personal and social reaction-call on quite different logic and understanding. When these are confused, they lead to regulations and public policy decisions that are often inept, dangerous, and expensive. One example is when the mathematical rigor of physics, appropriate to the immediate impact, is misapplied to the adaptive behavior of biology. Another, the tortured historical reputation of nuclear technology, is misinterpreted as justifying a radiological protection policy of extreme caution.Specialized education and closed groups of experts tend to lock in interdisciplinary misperceptions. In the case of nuclear technology, the resulting lack of independent political confidence endangers the adoption of nuclear power as the replacement for fossil fuels. In the long term, nuclear energy is the only viable source of large-scale primary energy, but this requires a re-working of public understanding.

Pediatric Medical Countermeasures: Antidotes and Cytokines for Radiological and Nuclear Incidents and Terrorism.

The war in Ukraine raises concerns for potential hazards of radiological and nuclear incidents. Children are particularly vulnerable in these incidents and may need pharmaceutical countermeasures, including antidotes and cytokines. Searches found no published study comparing pediatric indications and dosing among standard references detailing pediatric medications for these incidents. This study addresses this gap by collecting, tabulating, and disseminating this information to healthcare professionals caring for children. Expert consensus chose the following references to compare their pediatric indications and dosing of medical countermeasures for radiation exposure and internal contamination with radioactive materials: Advanced Hazmat Life Support (AHLS) for Radiological Incidents and Terrorism, DailyMed, Internal Contamination Clinical Reference, Medical Aspects of Radiation Incidents, and Medical Management of Radiological Casualties, as well as Micromedex, POISINDEX, and Radiation Emergency Medical Management (REMM). This is the first study comparing pediatric indications and dosing for medical countermeasures among commonly used references for radiological and nuclear incidents.

The convergence approach may be critical to improving early situational awareness in hostile radioactive environments.

This study explores the impact of a simulated radiological dispersal device (RDD) event in an urban area on young adults around 20 years old. The RDD releases radioactive Cs-137 (7.0E+3 Ci), a common industrial sterilization source. The study aims to demonstrate that combining computational codes and epidemiological models can produce valuable data to guide initial actions when confronting a hostile radioactive environment. The HotSpot Health Physics and RESRAD-RDD codes were used in the simulation to evaluate the event's initial phase. The codes were executed together, and the HotSpot output data was input into RESRAD-RDD. Based on simulated radiation dose levels, estimated doses were incorporated into radioepidemiological models proposed by the Committee on Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR V or VII report). Despite limitations, data transfer between the models revealed no discontinuities or antagonisms. Radiation doses were simulated under three exposure conditions and two atmospheric release modes (day or night), suggesting that atmospheric conditions, sex, and exposure routine can strongly influence the perception of radiation impacts. This combination of methods can increase situational awareness and help with decision-making and developing coping strategies.

Radiation and Chemical Program Research for Multi-Utility and Repurposed Countermeasures: A US Department of Health and Human Services Agencies Perspective.

Although chemical and radiological agents cause toxicity through different mechanisms, the multiorgan injuries caused by these threats share similarities that convene on the level of basic biological responses. This publication will discuss these areas of convergence and explore "multi-utility" approaches that could be leveraged to address common injury mechanisms underlying actions of chemical and radiological agents in a threat-agnostic manner. In addition, we will provide an overview of the current state of radiological and chemical threat research, discuss the US Government's efforts toward medical preparedness, and identify potential areas for collaboration geared toward enhancing preparedness and response against radiological and chemical threats. We also will discuss previous regulatory experience to provide insight on how to navigate regulatory paths for US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval/licensure/clearance for products addressing chemical or radiological/nuclear threats. This publication follows a 2022 trans-agency meeting titled, "Overlapping Science in Radiation and Sulfur Mustard Exposures of Skin and Lung: Consideration of Models, Mechanisms, Organ Systems, and Medical Countermeasures," sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Discussions from this meeting explored the overlapping nature of radiation and chemical injury and spurred increased interest in how preparedness for one threat leads to preparedness for the other. Herein, subject matter experts from the NIAID and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), summarize the knowledge gained from recently funded biomedical research, as well as insights from the 2022 meeting. These topics include identification of common areas for collaboration, potential use of biomarkers of injury to identify injuries caused by both hazards, and common and widely available treatments that could treat damage caused by radiological or chemical threats.

Radiation-Related Thyroid Cancer.

Radiation is an environmental factor that elevates the risk of developing thyroid cancer. Actual and possible scenarios of exposures to external and internal radiation are multiple and diverse. This article reviews radiation doses to the thyroid and corresponding cancer risks due to planned, existing, and emergency exposure situations, and medical, public, and occupational categories of exposures. Any exposure scenario may deliver a range of doses to the thyroid, and the risk for cancer is addressed along with modifying factors. The consequences of the Chornobyl and Fukushima nuclear power plant accidents are described, summarizing the information on thyroid cancer epidemiology, treatment, and prognosis, clinicopathological characteristics, and genetic alterations. The Chornobyl thyroid cancers have evolved in time: becoming less aggressive and driver shifting from fusions to point mutations. A comparison of thyroid cancers from the 2 areas reveals numerous differences that cumulatively suggest the low probability of the radiogenic nature of thyroid cancers in Fukushima. In view of continuing usage of different sources of radiation in various settings, the possible ways of reducing thyroid cancer risk from exposures are considered. For external exposures, reasonable measures are generally in line with the As Low As Reasonably Achievable principle, while for internal irradiation from radioactive iodine, thyroid blocking with stable iodine may be recommended in addition to other measures in case of anticipated exposures from a nuclear reactor accident. Finally, the perspectives of studies of radiation effects on the thyroid are discussed from the epidemiological, basic science, and clinical points of view.

LARCalc, a tool to estimate sex- and age-specific lifetime attributable risk in populations after nuclear power plant fallout.

A tool called LARCalc, for calculating the radiological consequences of accidental large scale nuclear power plant releases based on estimates of 137Cs ground deposition, is presented. LARCalc is based on a previously developed models that has been further developed and packaged into an easy-to-use decision support tool for training of decision makers. The software visualises the radiological impact of accidental nuclear power plant releases and the effects of various protective measures. It is thus intended as a rapid alternative for planning protective measures in emergency preparedness management. The tool predicts projected cumulative effective dose, projected lifetime attributable cancer risk, and residual dose for some default accidental release scenarios. Furthermore, it can predict the residual dose and avertable cumulative lifetime attributable risk (LAR) resulting from various protective measures such as evacuation and decontamination. It can also be used to predict the avertable collective dose and the increase in cancer incidence within the specified population. This study presents the theoretical models and updates to the previous models, and examples of different nuclear fallout scenarios and subsequent protective actions to illustrate the potential use of LARCalc.

STATE INSTITUTION «NATIONAL RESEARCH CENTER FOR RADIATION MEDICINE OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES OF UKRAINE¼ - RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND SCIENTIFIC ADVANCE IN 2022. / РЕЗУЛЬТАТИ РОБОТИ ДУ «ÐÐÐ¦Ð†ÐžÐÐÐ›Ð¬ÐÐ˜Ð™ НАУКОВИЙ ЦЕНТРРАДІАЦІЙНОЇ МЕДИЦИНИ НАЦІОНАЛЬНОЇ АКАДЕМІЇ МЕДИЧНИХ НАУК УКРАЇНИ¼ У 2022 РОЦІ.

Research activities and scientific advance achieved in 2022 at the State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine¼ (NRCRM) concerning medical problems of the Chornobyl disaster, radiation medicine, radiobiology, radiation hygiene and epidemiology in collaboration with the WHO network of medical preparedness and assistance in radiation accidents are outlined in the annual report. The report presents the results of fundamental and applied research works of the study of radiation effects and health effects of the Chornobyl accident. The report also shows the results of scientificorganizational and health care work, staff training. The Scientific Council meeting of NAMS approved the NRCRM Annual Report.

STATUS OF THE CURRENT DOMESTIC REGULATORY BASE FOR ENSURING RADIATION SAFETY AND ANTI-RADIATION PROTECTION OF MILITARY PERSONNEL DURING THE PERIOD OF MARTIAL STATUS. / СТАН ЧИННОЇ ВІТЧИЗНЯНОЇ НОРМАТИВНОЇ БАЗИ ЩОДО ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ РАДІАЦІЙНОЇ БЕЗПЕКИ ТА ПРОТИРАДІАЦІЙНОГО ЗАХИСТУ ВІЙСЬКОВОСЛУЖБОВЦІВ НА ПЕРІОД ВОЄННОГО СТАНУ.

Prerequisite. In the conditions of a full-scale invasion, the issue of radiation safety and anti-radiation protection in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) occupies a special place, since the aggressor country violated global geopolitical international decisions, occupied civilian nuclear facilities, in the process of their liberation servicemen mayhave to act in conditions of increased radiation risk, the possibility of using tactical nuclear weapons also is not excluded. OBJECTIVE: to investigate the state of the current national regulatory framework for ensuring radiation safety and anti-radiation protection of military personnel during the period of martial law. METHODS: bibliographic, analytical, historical, systematic approach. RESULTS: The main normative document on the organization of radiation safety and anti-radiation protection of both personnel and the population in Ukraine, as well as military personnel, currently in everyday conditions and in case of radiation accidents since 1998 and until now, are the State Hygienic Standards «Radiation Safety Standards of Ukraine (NRBU-97)¼. But neither in this document, nor in the transition to NRBU-2021-P, the issue of exposure to such a category as military personnel during the performance of combat (special) tasks is considered. The system of monitoring the radiation situation in Ukraine, documents on the organization of medical support for military personnel, including the Guidelines on the Medical Support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for a Special Period (2019)and the Guidelines on the Organization of Radiation Safety in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (2020), were analyzed.modules of radiation safety principles in the Armed Forces of Ukraine were proposed. CONCLUSION: The unsolved problem of normalization of the radiation factor in the case of man-made and socio-political emergencies can create significant problems in the organization of anti-radiation protection of troops and the population in the case of the use of nuclear weapons or radiation accidents in a special period and requires anurgent solution. It is obvious that there is a need to develop regulatory documents regarding the response and planning of continuous activities to respond to potential nuclear and radiation threats during martial law, including relationships at all levels of the management vertical and methods of communication in the event of a threat.

COGNITIVE ASPECTS OF DEPRESSION IN VICTIMS OF RADIATION ACCIDENTS, THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, AND WARS. / КОГНІТИВНІ АСПЕКТИ ДЕПРЕСІЇ У ПОСТРАЖДАЛИХ ПРИ РАДІАЦІЙНИХ АВАРІЯХ, ПАНДЕМІЇ COVID-19, ВІЙНАХ.

The relevance of the work is due to the significant increase in depression with cognitive disorders (CD) worldwide, and in Ukraine in particular, in victims of emergencies situations (ES), and the importance, but insufficient development of clinical and psychopathological aspects of medical and psychological-psychiatric care for this contingent of people. Despite the modern achievements of psychiatry in the study of depression in ES, an important problem is CD, which worsen the quality of life of patients, increase the risk of relapse, progressive course, and suicidal behavior. In order to improve the level of psychological and psychiatric care for depressed patients with CD in post-stress disorders by radiation accidents, the COVID-19 pandemic, and wars, the study of domestic and foreign literature on these disorders, which have both common features and certain differences, was conducted.Conclusions. The study confirms the significant prevalence of depression with CD in victims of radiation accidents, the COVID-19 pandemic, and wars, the insufficient development of clinical and psychopathological aspects and theneed for further study of this problem, as well as the creation of state measures of psychological and psychiatric care for these patients.

Resilience after a nuclear accident: readiness in using mobile phone applications to measure radiation and health indicators in various groups (SHAMISEN SINGS project).

An anonymous web-based survey was developed to check different aspects (SHAMISEN SINGS project): stakeholder awareness and perceptions of available mobile applications (apps) for measuring ionising radiation doses and health/well-being indicators; whether they would be ready to use them in the post-accidental recovery; and what are their preferred methodologies to acquire information etc. The results show that participation of the citizens would be most beneficial during post-accident recovery, providing individual measurements of external ionizing dose and health/well-being parameters, with possible follow-up. Also, participants indicated different preferences for sources to gain knowledge on ionising radiation and for the functions that an ideal app should have. The level of awareness and readiness to use apps to measure ionising radiation dose depended on two main aspects: individual differences (age & gender) and whether people were from countries affected by the previous major accidents. We concluded that stakeholders could have benefits from the data management plan: (1) it potentiates resilience at individual and community level; (2) citizens' measurements contribute to environmental monitoring and public health screening; (3) linkages between different types of data (environmental exposure, individual behavioural diaries, and measurements of health indicators) allow to perform more rigorous epidemiological studies.

Experiences from the ARGOS user group nuclear emergency exercise.

The Accident Reporting and Guiding Operational System (ARGOS) is a decision support system used to assist in the Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) to nuclear and radiological incidents. The ARGOS user group has been formed that is made up of government agencies across many countries that have a role in EPR to nuclear and radiological incidents. In 2020, a desktop exercise was organised for the members of the ARGOS user group. The exercise involved two hypothetical accidents at different times on the same date, namely a radiological release from a floating nuclear power plant (NPP) off the Norwegian coast and from the Loviisa NPP in Finland. The objectives of the exercise were to train and increase knowledge of the ARGOS system, to perform a comparison of model outputs, and to compare the recommendations of protective actions. In the case of the floating NPP the source term was provided, while in the Loviisa NPP scenario the participants were required to provide their own source term based on a description of the accident. The results on radiological consequences based on dispersion modelling, protective actions, source terms and dispersion modelling settings were collected from participants. A comparison was made between each of these reported aspects. In general, it was found that there was general agreement between the results for the floating nuclear power plant scenario in the sense of plume direction and extent, while in the case of the Loviisa NPP scenario, there was much greater variation, with the difference in source term estimates between the participants being an influencing factor. The participants acknowledged that taking part in an exercise of this nature increased their knowledge and understanding about using decision support tools such as ARGOS in planning and responding to nuclear and radiological emergencies.

Effectiveness of simplified dose estimation equations for triage after criticality accident-a case study of dose assessment in the JCO criticality accident.

The dosimetry for the triage of personnel encountering a criticality accident was investigated. The JCO criticality accident of 1999 was selected as a case study, and attention was paid to the identification and the segregation of severely exposed personnel. A series of Monte Carlo calculations revealed that simplified equations proposed by ANSI to estimate dose with respect to distance work well to determine the region of interest for triage.

[The advantages of the fire department nurse in managing a CBRN event]. / Les atouts de l'infirmier de sapeurs-pompiers dans la gestion d'un événement NRBC.

Nuclear, radiological, biological and chemical hazards are caused by agents of very different origins. They can be blatant or insidious, difficult to detect, accidental or intentional. In all cases, in addition to treating victims, the aim is to avoid contamination of hospital services. Faced with these risks, which are often seen as unlikely or too complex, the firefighter nurse represents an asset for his or her establishment, in terms of both crisis anticipation and management.

On the value and costs of protective actions in a nuclear emergency.

This paper reviews the current orthodoxy for the prompt application of shelter and evacuation advice in the event of a nuclear emergency in the light of the reassessment of the perceived costs and benefits of these protective actions that followed the Fukushima event. In particular, it discusses the mechanisms and criteria for the withdrawal of protective action advice or their continuation for more than a few hours and their impact on public perception. It suggests that lack of thought given to this area may lead to protective actions being kept in place for longer than necessary leading to more harm than good. It also considers the language used to recommend protective actions and to modify them as the event unfolds. Would over strong language used at the start of the event to encourage compliance contribute to public concerns later? Finally, the report poses some discussion points.

Long-term study (1987-2023) on the distribution of 137Cs in soil following the Chernobyl nuclear accident: a comparison of temporal migration measurements and compartment model predictions.

After the Chernobyl accident, a designated area of ~1000 m2 within the University farm of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Northern Greece was utilized as a test ground for radioecological measurements. The profile of 137Cs in the soil was monitored from 1987 to 2023, with soil samples collected in 5-cm-thick slices (layers) down to a depth of 30 cm. The mean total deposition of 137Cs in the area, backdated to the time of the Chernobyl accident, was determined to be 18.6 ± 1.8 kBq m-2 based on four follow-up profile measurements of 137Cs in the soil for the years 2022 and 2023. It is noteworthy that this value is similar the total deposition at the site, which was independently measured to be about 20 kBq m-2 during the first year after the Chernobyl accident. The fractional contribution of each soil layer (e.g., 0-5 cm, 5-10 cm, 10-15 cm, etc.) to the total deposition of 137Cs (0-30 cm) is presented and analyzed. A compartment model was utilized to forecast the temporal evolution of fractional contributions of the different soil layers to the total deposition of 137Cs (0-30 cm). In this model, each soil layer is represented as a separate compartment. The model assumes that the transfer rates between adjacent compartments are equal. The agreement between the measured fractional contributions and the model predictions suggests that the compartment model with equal transfer rates can capture the broad patterns of 137Cs migration within the soil layers over the long period of 1987-2023. However, the use of a second compartment model with increasing transfer rates between consecutive soil layers did not align with the observed outcomes. This indicates that diffusion may not be the primary migration mechanism over the 36-y period covered by our study.