In this report, the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) presents planning basis for protective actions in the event of nuclear or radiological emergencies in connection with activities and acts in emergency preparedness category IV. Activities and acts encompass events in activities with ionizing radiation that are not conducted in a specifically defined location as well as antagonistic or unintentional acts with radiation sources.
Summary
To obtain an idea of what can happen and what consequences there may be for the society-at-large, the report begins with a chapter discussing how activities, acts and sources are categorised according to potential consequences. The report then describes the basics of radiation protection and what protective actions can be taken to protect the public and workers. The final chapter of the report deals with the termination of protective actions and the emergency.
A large number of parties need to plan in order to be able to deal with nuclear or radiological emergencies related to activities and acts in emergency preparedness category IV. The report is intended for organisations that have a responsibility to manage such emergencies. This refers for example to the public authorities responsible for civil protection and emergency services, healthcare, and public order and safety, as well as public authorities with coordination responsibilities in civil emergency preparedness.
The report is intended to be used as a planning basis for nuclear or radiological emergencies in connection with activities and acts in emergency preparedness category IV. Some elements can also be a starting point in the practical application of public protective actions and for the protection of workers against radiation hazards. The report describes the principles and concepts used in radiation protection during nuclear or radiological emergencies, and how they can be used in emergency response planning. Dose criteria and operational intervention levels for urgent and early protective actions that may need to be implemented to protect the public are described together with practical advice on protective actions for workers. To illustrate how radiological protection may be used in practice, three scenarios are presented where potential consequences and needs for protective actions are analysed.
This report builds on common positions concerning radiation protection during nuclear or radiological emergencies in the Nordic region via “The Nordic Flag Book”, but is limited to activities and acts in emergency preparedness category IV. This report therefore supplements the Review of Swedish emergency planning zones and distances developed by SSM, the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) and the relevant County Administrative Boards for events at facilities in emergency preparedness categories I, II and III in 2017:27e Review of Swedish emergency planning zones and distances.
The report has been produced as a joint project in collaboration with MSB and the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare. A number of public authorities have been consulted.