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Radiation accidents can be divided into those resulting
from external exposure (exposure to radiation sources outside of the body)
and those resulting from internal exposure (exposure to radioactive substances
taken into the body). For external exposure, bone marrow transplantation may
be considered depending on the dose received. For severe internal exposure,
we may also consider administering drugs immediately to inhibit deposition
or promote excretion of radioactive substances. Dose assessment of victims
in radiation accidents is required to be made within a short time together
with the details of the accident to estimate the radiation effects and to initiate
appropriate medical treatment.
This group models various radiation accidents to evaluate
external and internal radiation doses rapidly and accurately.
Major subjects of study in Radiation Dose Assessment Research
Group
- Collection and analysis of information on
the occurrence of radiation accidents, radiation, and radioactivity
- Determination and evaluation of the amount of radioactivity in the body
or in excreta
- Biological evaluation of the effects resulting from exposure on the body
Through these investigations, the group aims to shorten the time needed for
analysis and dose determination, and so improve the accuracy of comprehensive
assessment, which combines physical and biological dose assessment.
Fig. 1
Mechanically cooled HPGe semiconductor lung monitor and Japanese body type Am-241 lung phantom
Fig. 2
Chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes of human peripheral blood induced by irradiation
Fig.1 shows the lung phantom used for a calibration of
lung monitors which measure gamma rays or L-X rays from actinides inhaled into
the lung. Fig.2 shows chromosomal aberrations induced by irradiation in lymphocytes
of human peripheral blood. The dose received by the body can be estimated from
the frequency of these abnormal chromosomes.