Risk Analysis for Overexposure Measurements Due to Radiological Accidents Using Computer Code and the Lessons Learned “Meet Halfa as a Case Study, Egypt"

Abstract

Large number of accidents that have occurred in three major practices, namely: industrial radiography, gamma irradiators, and radiotherapy. A radiological accident involves a sealed or unsealed radiation source leads to an uncontrolled release of ionizing radiation or radioactive materials into the environment, which may result in significant human exposure and/or material damage. A major accident occurred in greater Cairo Area during 2000 due to bad practice and human error. A radiological source (Ir-192 capsule with activity 31.5 Ci) was lost at the examination site near the pipe. Members of the public were plucked up. At least seven persons have exposed to overdoses, two of them died due to overexposure dose. In this study, the absorbed radiation doses and the associated hazards due to uncontrolled radioactive sources Ir-192 and Cs-137 are calculating using RESRAD‑Building computer code. An overview of the consequences and the obtained results are registered in lessons learned study would clarify the necessary that the regulatory authority to introduce measures capable to avoid the recurrence of similar accidents.