Sources and zones of radioactive contamination - types of radiation, characteristics and consequences

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:46

Mankind uses atomic energy for various purposes. In some cases, it can be released and spread in space. In this case, vast territories far from the epicenter are infected with radiation. Irradiation affects not only the area, but also people and animals. Such a disaster has a number of negative consequences.

Today there are certain sources and zones of radioactive contamination. There are several types of radiation. They differ in characteristics as well as consequences.

Determination of the location of the explosion

Zones of radioactive contamination occur as a result of a nuclear or thermonuclear explosion. It can be a weapon, a scientific installation, a power plant reactor, etc. In this case, an accident or explosion can occur both on the surface of the earth and under it. It is also possible to release nuclear energy in the air.

Depending on the height at which the explosion occurred, different targets are hit. If anuclear energy was released at an altitude of more than 35 km, communication devices and power lines will fail at long distances. This is due to an electromagnetic pulse.

If an accident occurs on the surface of the earth, soil and other objects are drawn into the cloud from radiation. All substances that get here also become radioactive. After that, they fall on the ground. At the same time, everyone in the district becomes infected with radiation.

Underground explosions provoke seismic waves. If there are structures or mines in the affected area, such structures are destroyed.

Sources

Zones of radioactive contamination of the area appear due to the explosion. Sources of radiation that infects the environment are parts of the nuclear charge that did not react and interacted with other matter. Also, another factor of infection can be substances that appeared as a result of a nuclear explosion. Another source could be neutrons. They form in the area of the explosion.

When a uranium-hydrogen or atomic bomb explodes, a charge appears, which is provided by the fission of heavy nuclei. In this case, all three sources will be present.

If during the explosion the fission of nuclei will be based on their synthesis from light to heavy (for example, in the process of releasing the energy of a hydrogen bomb), there will be no radioactive fission products. Such a source of infection can only occur if the detonation elements are active.

Radiation

In progressexplosion, certain zones of radioactive contamination appear in case of accidents at nuclear power plants, in scientific laboratories and at other facilities. The result is radiation. This is the radiation of charged particles (photons, neutrons, electrons, etc.). Depending on which of the elements is released into space, the type of radiation is determined.

Ionization is the formation of charged ions, as well as free electrons. It comes in several types. Ionizing (radiation) radiation can differ in energy impact. It depends on the type of elements that are released in the explosion.

These particles can penetrate matter. As a result, they have a different effect on matter. If the radiation consists of various particles of atoms, it can be called neutron, alpha or beta. If energy is emitted, X-rays and gamma rays are produced.

Infection zones

In the zone of radioactive contamination, a person must know how to behave correctly. It can save a life. When radiation spreads, the population receives a special alert. Data on radiation and its location in space are mapped.

As a result, 4 areas of contamination of the area are identified. They are designated by letters of the Russian alphabet. In zone A, moderate infection is determined. This section is indicated on the map using blue color.

In zone B, a strong infection is determined. This space is also appliedon the map. It is marked in green. Dangerous infection is determined in zone B. It is highlighted in brown. An extremely dangerous infection is determined in zone G. This space is indicated in black. Each of these zones determine the behavior of people who find themselves in a disaster zone.

Zone characteristics

In zone A, a person receives exposure, which can be 40-400 R. This indicator is determined by the time people stay in this territory. This figure characterizes the total amount of radiation that affects the body during the period of complete decay of the substances deposited here. An hour after the explosion at the outer boundary of zone A, the radiation level does not exceed 7 R/h.

In the zone of severe contamination, a person receives irradiation of 400-1200 R. At the same time, at the border between zones B and A, the radiation will be 80 R/h one hour after the explosion.

In the zone of dangerous radioactive contamination, the level of radiation becomes very high. A person who is in this area receives a radiation dose of 1200-4000 R. In zone G, the level of human contamination with radiation can reach 10 thousand R.

Behavior in the disaster area

After an accident or explosion, a study of the radiation situation is organized. Based on certain indicators, forecasts are made for the spread of the radiation cloud.

Reconnaissance activities are also underway, during which the real distribution is determinedradiation in space. In accordance with the data obtained, maps are drawn indicating the zones of infection. Appropriate action is being taken.

Actions in affected areas

There are certain rules for the behavior of people in areas of radioactive contamination. In some cases, civilian and military personnel remain in shelters for a certain time. However, actions in case of radiation contamination involve the removal of people from areas of severe radiation damage to safer areas.

All personnel are being withdrawn from zones G and C. People are not allowed to stay here. 50% of military personnel are being withdrawn from zone G. Civilians are leaving the area. They are quickly moved from high infestation areas to less dangerous areas. The military does not leave Zone A.

It is very important to behave correctly in the event of an emergency. People are evacuated from the zone of dangerous and extremely dangerous infection due to the impossibility of a long stay in the shelter. This causes physical and psychological discomfort.

Evacuate

Everyone should know the rules of conduct in the zone of radioactive contamination. This could save the lives of thousands of people. Evacuation can be carried out from zones G and C three days after the accident. During this time, the level of radiation in the area will decrease significantly.

If the evacuation is started earlier, people can get a lethal dose of radiation when getting into a vehicle, moving through the contaminated area. People in the disaster areaannounce the beginning of the evacuation. They must prepare for the move. For these purposes, transport is prepared in advance. Until the evacuation order is given, people must remain in cover.

Boarding in transport is done quickly. This reduces the chance of receiving strong exposure. The rules of conduct in such a territory must be strictly observed. You need to move quickly, but do not run. It is necessary to try to raise as little dust as possible into the air. Step carefully.

Rules of conduct

Actions in radioactive contamination zones are regulated by the civil defense headquarters. The established regime is strictly observed. It is forbidden to drink, eat or smoke in the contaminated area. It is not allowed to remove protective equipment. Also, do not touch any objects. You can not move through thick grass or terrain that is overgrown with shrubs. If you have to enter the premises from the street, you need to clean your clothes. It has radioactive dust on it. In open reservoirs, water also becomes contaminated. You can't drink it.

Products that were open at the time of the accident should not be eaten. Radiation is determined in open products, even in deep layers. In grain, this indicator is at the level of 3 cm, in flour - 1 cm, in s alt - 0.5 cm. Radioactive particles stick to the surface of all products.

You can cook food only from those components that were stored in the refrigerator, cellar, closed cupboards, etc. at the time of the explosion. You can also eat food that was stored in airtightclosed glass, enameled dishes. Water can only be taken from protected, covered wells. If the accident occurred in winter, when the surface was completely covered with ice, the water is drinkable.

Assessing the situation

Zones of radioactive contamination are estimated according to intelligence data. To do this, a series of data is collected. Determine the power and time of the explosion, the cause of its occurrence. Further, measurements are made an hour after the accident in certain areas of the area. After that, the civil defense headquarters evaluates in which zones people are located, what dose of radiation they could receive.

After the first stage of the study, the subsequent state of the situation in the disaster area is assessed. Information is collected on the level of radiation in the area. Infection zones and their configuration are lined up. The number of people injured or killed in the explosion is calculated.

According to the results of research, the permissible duration of stay of people in the disaster zone is determined. This is necessary for drawing up an evacuation plan. The level of contamination of material objects in the radiation zone is also estimated. During the study, special tables, dosimetric rulers and templates are used.

Having considered what are the zones of radioactive contamination, the peculiarities of people's behavior in them, one can understand the rules of behavior in such a situation. This can save lives in the event of a radiation explosion or accident.