Fallout Exposure rate Prediction Tables

At a glance..

Tables have been developed for predicting future exposure rates from actual exposure rate measurements obtained soon after fallout arrival. These tables would provide a reasonable estimate of future rates even if the fallout originated from multiple, non-simultaneous detonations or if the time of detonation were unknown.

The details..

'Fallout Exposure Rate Prediction Tables' is a technical report by Clayton S. French, providing an essential tool for predicting future exposures to fallout radiation from exposure rate measurements taken soon after the cessation of fallout. The book offers tables and computer programs that enable users to estimate or predict radiation exposures without knowing whether the fallout was derived from one or more detonations, the date and time when they occurred, or if they happened at different times.

The book's preface explains how this work product came about as part of contract number EMW-C-0957 with FEMA. It also describes techniques used in 'Techniques for Predicting Fallout Radiation Exposures from Exposure and Exposure Rate Measurements', TR-89 - another FEMA technical report which uses similar methods to estimate future accumulated exposures.

The main focus here is on developing tables for predicting instantaneous exposure rates (as opposed to integral/accumulated) at some point in the future using actual exposure rate measurements obtained immediately following deposition completion. These predictions are less accurate than those made regarding accumulated exposures due to short-term fluctuations in fall-out-exposure-rates; however, these estimates can be useful when assessing risks associated with activities planned within a particular location affected by radioactive material.

Overall, 'Fallout Exposure Rate Prediction Tables' is an important reference guide for anyone interested in survival preparedness during nuclear disasters.