Guest article on radiological emergency preparedness

Many lessons have been learnt from the accident at Chernobyl’s Reactor 4 40 years ago, when radioactive caesium fallout affected large parts of Sweden. We have also come to realise, for example through the high-profile murder of Alexander Litvinenko in 2006 using polonium-210, that radioactive substances can be used for hostile purposes. The geopolitical tensions between nuclear-armed nations also bring to mind the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the consequences these had for hundreds of thousands of people. As ionising radiation can be hazardous to health if handled unsafely, society must simultaneously develop the capacity to limit the negative consequences that may arise in the event of any accidents.

The management of such events is regulated by law and relies on cooperation between several authorities and expert bodies. In these situations, the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) coordinates expert support, often under time pressure and in a situation where information is uncertain. Dose estimates are crucial: they form the basis for decisions on protective measures, incident management and communication, and are refined as the situation develops.

At an individual level, dose estimates can be decisive for medical prioritisation. Stockholm University is affiliated with RENEB, a European network for biological dosimetry that complements the physical methods used in crisis management.

Read more at the Knowledge Centre for Radiation Medicine in Disasters (KcRN) (in Swedish)