Basic principles and criteria for population protection against nuclear accidents

The decision making criteria for population protection adopted in Bulgaria are compared with the ones of leading international organizations. The criteria elaborated are based on international recommendations, with lowered uppermost limit of the range of indications for evacuation, and introduction of detailed dose indicators for the groups at risk, children and pregnant women. Also discussed are the major issues relating to emergency counter-measures undertaking - sheltering, protection of airways and respiratory organs, iodine prophylaxis and evacuation. Special attention is called to providing the population with timely information on the situation. 11 refs. (orig.)