Nuclear and Radiological Accidents

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Many people express concern about the possible consequences of releases of radioactive material or exposure to radiation, in case of "something going wrong" at an atomic energy facility.

It is therefore desirable to examine actual incidents, to see what has actually happened, how it happened, and how the consequences were handled. The first session concentrates on incidents not involving nuclear reactors, with a particular emphasis on the Goiania, Brazil, accident of 1987. The second session concentrates on incidents involving nuclear reactors, with a particular emphasis on the Chernobyl, Ukraine accident of 1986.

Slides

Introductory slide with Seaborg quote
Questions and thoughts to set up the parameters of discussion
Uses of radioactive sources in industry and medicine, and characteristics of the most common sources
Map of Brazil, showing location of Goiania, with summary statistics
Summary & discussion of radiological accidents
Summary & discussion of reactor accidents
Graphics showing the RMBK-1000 (Chernobyl) type of reactor, and sources of radioactive material encountered in the sea