Postaccident cleanup analysis for transportation of radioactive materials

Approximately 5 to 10 million packages of radioactive material and wastes are shipped annually in the US. Most of these shipments consist of small quantities of medical and research isotopes. However, larger quantities of radioactive wastes are shipped by the US Department of Energy (DOE) via commercial truck or rail service. The number of shipments of radioactive waste is expected to increase over the next several years as efforts to dispose of waste stored and generated at DOE sites progress. The potential for a severe accident involving these anticipated waste shipments is small, but not insignificant. The probability of a severe accident resulting in the largest credible release of material has been estimated to range from approximately 0.01 to 0.1 over the 20-year time period considered for permanent disposal of each of the low-level, transuranic, and high-level radioactive waste types (LLW, TRUW, and HLW). The potential radiological consequences of the most severe credible accident involving each of these waste types could adversely affect the community in which it occurred. These consequences are considered here. Accidents involving spent nuclear fuel (SNF) shipments are of concern to the public and are also considered. In this paper, a pathway analysis code, the RISKIND computer program, has been used as a screening tool to help develop an example action plan for both the early and intermediate phases of an accident involving the release of radioactive materials. RISKIND was developed for the analysis of radiological consequences and health risks to individuals and the collective population from exposures associated with the transport of SNF or other radioactive materials. RISKIND was developed by Argonne National Laboratory under the support of the DOE Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management