Identifying optimal agricultural countermeasure strategies for a hypothetical contamination scenario using the strategy model

Abstract

A spatially implemented model designed to assist the identification of optimal countermeasure strategies for radioactively contaminated regions is described. Collective and individual ingestion doses for people within the affected area are estimated together with collective exported ingestion dose. A range of countermeasures are incorporated within the ~ilodela, iid environmental restrictions have been included as appropriate. The model evaluates the electiveness of a given combination of countermeasures through a cost function which balances the benefit obtained through the reduction in dose with the cost of implementation. The optimal countermeasure strategy is the combination of individual countermeasures (and wheii and where they are implemented) which gives the lowest value of the cost function. The model outputs should not be considered as definitive solutions, rather as interactive inputs to the decision making process. As a demonstration the model has been applied to a hypothetical scenario in Cuiiibria (UK). This scenario considered a published nuclear power plant accident scenario with a total deposition of 1.7 X loi4, 1.2 X loi3, 2.8 X 10" and 5.3 X lo9 Bq for Cs-137, Sr-90, Pu-2391240 and Am-241, respectively. The model predicts that if no remediation measures were implemented the resulting collective dose would be approximately 36000 persons (predominantly from 1 3 7 ~ so)v er a 10-year period post-deposition. The optimal countermeasure strategy is predicted to avert approximately 33 000 person-Sv at ¿i cost of approximately £160 million. The optimal strategy comprises a mixture of ploughing, AFCF (ammonium-ferric hexacyano-ferrate) administration, potassium fertiliser application, clean feeding of livestock and food restrictions. The model recommends specific areas within the contaminated area and time periods where these measures should be implemented.