Dosimetric Investigation of the Yugoslav Radiation Accident

Abstract

An investigation of the radiation doses received in the Yugoslav accident on 15 October, 1958, was completed, using modern techniques of dosimetry. The zero power reactor was operated at low power levels to determine the ratio of gamma to neutron dose at various locations near the reactor. These measurements were made with special counting methods, one of which measured the neutron dose in the presence of gamma rays, and the other measured the gamma dose in the presence of neutrons. The reactor was operated at a higher power level for a short time to determine the neutron dose by means of threshold detectors, and the relationship between neutron dose and Na/sup 24/ activation in manshaped phantoms. A computational program gave theoretical results for the same three quantities. The results of theory and experiment are in good agreement. Final results for the individual doses are given. Of the seven persons investigated, the highest dose received was 436 rads and the lowest dose was 207 rads. The doses previously estimated were reported in rem units, showing for the highest an estimated value of 210 rems for the neutron dose and 630 rems for the gamma dose, or a total exposure of 840more » rems. (auth)« less