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Protective ActionsDepending upon the circumstances in an unlikely event of a nuclear power plant radiological
emergency, the public may be advised to take protective actions, which may include evacuation
and sheltering in place:
Under most conditions, evacuation is preferred. However, under some conditions, sheltering in place provides protection that is equal to or greater than evacuation, considering weather, competing events, fast-breaking or short-term release, or traffic conditions. Depending on the type of building used, sheltering in place can result in a reduction of radiation dose of up to 80% compared to a dose received outdoors and unsheltered. NUREG-0654/FEMA-REP-1 Potassium Iodide as Supplement. In January 2001, the Commission published a rule change to the NRC emergency planning regulations to include the consideration of the use of potassium iodide. As necessary, KI is to be used to supplement evacuation or sheltering in place, not to take the place of these actions. If taken properly, potassium iodine (KI) will help reduce the dose of radiation to the thyroid gland from radioactive iodide, and reduce the risk of thyroid cancer. For more information, see Use of Potassium Iodide. Evacuation Studies. The NRC published a study in January 2005 that examined the efficiency and effectiveness of public evacuations of 1,000 or more people in response to natural disasters, technological hazards, and malevolent acts, occurring in the U.S. between January 1, 1990 and January 30, 2003. This study, NUREG/CR-6864, "Identification and Analysis of Factors Affecting Emergency Evacuations," (Volume 1 & Volume 2) identified a universe of 230 evacuation incidents, and a subset of 50 incidents were selected for case study analysis. This study revealed that large-scale evacuations in the U.S., whether pre-planned or ad-hoc, are very effective, successfully save lives, and reduce the potential number of injuries associated with the hazards. Following the devastating hurricane season of 2005, the nation recognized a need to review emergency response planning. The NRC sponsored a study to assess Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, as well as other large scale evacuations from which lessons learned may further enhance the emergency preparedness program for radiological emergencies at nuclear power plants. Evacuations related to these 11 incidents have brought to light issues that have not been previously encountered during large scale evacuations. The results of this study were published in October 2008 as NUREG/CR-6981, " Assessment of Emergency Response Planning and Implementation for Large Scale Evacuations."
The NRC updated guidance on how to develop evacuation time estimates in January 2005. NUREG/CR-6863, "Development of Evacuation Time Estimate Studies for Nuclear Power Plants," integrates new technologies in traffic management, computer modeling, and communications systems to identify additional tools useful in the development of new, or updating the existing, evacuation time estimates.
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