2020 Health Physics Society Midyear Meeting & ExhibitionTPM-C
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| Chair(s): Jama VanHorne-Sealy, William Blakely |
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TPM-C.1 15:15 Army Reactor Program: Past, Present, and Future. VanHorne-Sealy Jama D* jama.d.vanhorne-sealy.mil@mail.mil
In 1954, the Army Reactor Program started with the Army Nuclear Power Program (ANPP), a joint effort between the Army Corps of Engineers and the Atomic Energy Commission. The Atomic Energy Act of 1954 authorized the Department of Defense use of nuclear material for military purposes including nuclear power reactors. Completion of the first successful test reactor occurred in 1957 with the Stationary Medium power-1 (SM-1) prototype at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The successful test sparked the expansion of the reactor program resulting in the development of seven additional power reactors. Although the ANPP ended in 1976, the Army Reactor Program continued as the regulatory manager of the nation’s only Fast Burst Reactor (FBR) at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. The FBR emits a radioactive energy spectrum similar to that of a nuclear weapon, allowing for nuclear survivability testing of military equipment. As the Army Reactor Program looks forward to the future, we are evaluating the potential integration of Generation IV reactors into military operations. The Army Reactor Program supports the ground force reactor needs drawing upon a legacy of more than 65 years. |
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TPM-C.2 15:30 Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute Reactor Console Licensing Status. Divis Jeffrey A*, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20889; Molgaard Joshua J, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20889 jeffrey.divis@usuhs.edu
Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute’s (AFRRI) Training, Research, Isotopes, General Atomics (TRIGA) Mark-F Nuclear Reactor is a vital one of a kind platform which gives DOD scientists access to perform experiments permitting simulation of exposures encountered during an Improvised Nuclear Device event to support medical countermeasure and bio dosimetry device discovery, development, and validation. The purpose of this presentation is to provide a joint Reactor (Radiation Science) and Health Physics (interim RSO) Department chairmen report on the status of licensing a major upgrade to the AFRRI TRIGA reactor console and controls system. A console upgrade began in 2016 at a time when other reactor facilities were upgrading their consoles to digital systems. After the console was installed, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) determined that the regulatory requirements for an upgrade of this magnitude were not adequately addressed. Due to a large-staff turnover, the new RSO and Reactor Department Head determined that a License Amendment consisting of a revision to the Safety Analysis Report was the best course of action. A new dialog with the NRC was established and a contractor was hired to assist in addressing the regulatory identified shortfalls of the AFRRI console upgrade process. Aspects of the RSO and reactor operators in dealing with regulators during a console upgrade are discussed. In summary, the critical need for addressing licensing issues associated with reactor upgrades from the beginning is identified. Under new leadership, the RSO and Reactor staff are committed to an open dialog with the NRC to assist in the submission of this License Amendment so the researchers can again utilize vital and unique national asset. |
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TPM-C.4 15:45 Dicentric Chromosome Aberration Assay Triage Scoring Performance Demonstration by the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute’s Cytogenetic Biodosimetry Laboratory — Annual Exercises. Kulkarni Rhea, AFRRI/USUHS; Subramanian Uma, AFRRI/USUHS; Romanyukha Lyudmila, AFRRI/USUHS; Wilkins Ruth C, Health Canada; Bolduc David L, AFRRI/USUHS; Blakely William F*, AFRRI/USUHS william.blakely@usuhs.edu
Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute’s (AFRRI) Cytogenetic Biodosimetry Laboratory (CBL) employs the dicentric chromosome aberration (DCA) assay using blood lymphocyte metaphase spreads to perform annual exercises to demonstrate laboratory proficiency. Data from 2015 and 2016 exercises were used to establish an x-ray calibration dose-response curve via triage scoring (50 spreads per sample; 10 samples per year) using both manual and automated DC scoring. Dicentric-yield distribution analysis was performed using suite of software tools (i.e., ShinyApp) to confirm Poisson distribution. Plots of the dicentric aberration frequency and summed frequencies were consistent with Poisson distribution. DCA aberration yields were fitted to a dose-response using linear-quadratic fits. 2018 exercise results were determined using the Canadian x-ray calibration curves. Actual doses fell within the 95% confidence intervals of the dose estimates using both manual (two scorers) and automated scoring. z-test results demonstrate a highly satisfactory set of results when comparing dose estimates with the actual dose. Automated scoring was determined to be faster and gives comparable dose estimates when compared to manual scoring. These efforts contribute to enhance the operational capabilities supporting biodosimetry for a DoD Multi-parametric Biodosimetry Center/Network to provide diagnostic and triage capabilities for military personnel. (The views expressed in this abstract are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of DoD, AFRRI, USUHS, NDC, nor the U.S. Government. Funding support provided by AFRRI RBB44313 andAFR-B4-4313.) |
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TPM-C.5 16:00 Health Physics considerations for testing of the Army Solid State Active Denial Technology. Marcy Brian S., U.S. Army; Mikulski H. Timothy *, U.S. Army; Frey CPT James J., U.S. Army; Alston MAJ Kimberly D., U.S. Army; Adams Craig L. , U.S. Army; Lamoreaux Richard W. , U.S. Army; Colville Francis T. , U.S. Army timothy.h.mikulski.civ@mail.mil
The Solid State Active Denial Technology system program goal is to transition from a developmental effort to a program of record. Provided will be a review of the health physics oversight implemented for developmental testing. Discussed will be the rules of engagement and standoff distances when engaging volunteer subjects on operational test ranges. |
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TPM-C.6 16:15 Medical Effects of Ionizing Radiation Training Update: 2019 Guam Experience. Senchak Lien*, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; Clasp Trocia, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; Tuoch Nathan, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; Barrera Carlos, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; Woodruff Charles, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; Wand Russel, Defense Threat Reduction Agency; Schauer David, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; Gilstad John, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; Skinner William, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences lien.t.senchak.mil@mail.mil
Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute's (AFRRI) Military Medical Operations (MMO) trains and educates military personnel on the Medical Effects of Ionizing Radiation (MEIR) course. The course historically is a classroom setting with didactic lectures composed of a mix of healthcare providers of various training. Real-world threats of potential radiological mass-casualties prompted a need to update the MEIR course. Our purpose is to report the implementation of a revised MEIR course with its changes and applications. A pilot course was initiated, prompted by a request to provide MEIR training in Guam in Sept 2019. Topics included global threats, health physics basics, risk communication and psychological issues, nuclear weapons effects and hasty triage/treatment. The course was divided into 3 sections targeting health-care provider skill levels and operational activities (i.e., First-responders, Operational Personnel/Command, and Radiation Subject Matter Experts) to better train personnel in the event of a nuclear radiological event. An advanced location-specific model was performed to show the radius of effects separated into radiation effects, thermal effects and blast injuries. Additionally, a model of the fallout was applied over a generic landscape based on historical weather data. The targeted goal is the integration of different skill level and response function to be better prepared and respond to a catastrophic event as well as to provide base and incident commanders an understanding of each individual's role and identify areas where most significant gaps to effective response exist. In conclusion, as the threat of a possible nuclear-radiological event increases in recent times, integrated scenario based learning must be utilized to clearly define our roles and increase our preparedness and be aware of our capabilities and resources.(The views expressed in this abstract are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of MMO, AFRRI, USUHS, DoD, nor the U.S. Government.) |