Various consequences regarding hypothetical dispersion of airborne radioactivity in a city center

In case of dispersion of airborne radioactive material in a city center a number of questions will prompt for an answer. While many questions can get their answers in due course of time based on results of tests and sampling, a good understanding of the quantitative effect of dispersion will be very helpful to rescue staff, in particular in the early stage. In the following dose and dose rate estimates are presented for three scenarios including dispersion of radioactivity in a city center. In one case the activity is released in an open place, in another from a roof and in the third case from a source on a street where the wind is blowing along the street. In each case, at specific positions, estimates are made of dose from inhalation, and dose rates for contamination on skin as well as from radioactive particles deposited onto ground, walls and roofs (external exposure) in the city center. It should be noted that the deposition pattern in urban areas varies greatly which means that the consequences are difficult to predict. The dispersion is influenced by recirculation behind tall buildings and diverted flow close to street-ends, which have significant effects on the deposit pattern. Regarding the relative importance of contributions to total dose it is found that inhalation could play a major role for long term effects while dose to skin might dominate acute effects.

► Consequences of dispersion and deposition of 137Cs in a city center are modeled. ► External exposure from local deposition patterns on walls, roofs and ground is estimated. ► Estimates are made of dose from inhalation, skin dos rates and external dose rates. ► Skin dose was the most serious acute dose while inhalation dominates long term effects. ► Among the investigated scenarios a release near a street end is most serious.