Monte Carlo Simulations to Determine Doses to Healthcare Providers After a Radiological Dispersal Device Event

After a radiological dispersal device event, there may be internally and/or externally contaminated victims. Those with life-threatening injuries may require immediate medical assistance prior to decontamination. The dose rates to which a healthcare provider is exposed due to the internal and external contamination of the victim were computed using Monte Carlo simulations and five anthropomorphic phantoms. For the external contamination modeling, the contamination is assumed to be uniformly distributed over the entire exterior of the victim's body. For the internal contamination modeling, the contamination was distributed in the appropriate organs according to biokinetic modeling. The specific isotopes considered were ⁶⁰Co, ¹³⁷Cs, ¹³¹I, ¹⁹²Ir, and ²⁴¹Am. The calculated dose rates demonstrate that life-saving care to stabilize critical patients can be provided without exceeding dose guidelines for first responders.