CHALLENGES IN DETERMINING THE ISOTOPIC MIXTURE FOR THE FUKUSHIMA DAIICHI NUCLEAR POWER PLANT ACCIDENT

This paper discusses the challenges and lessons learned associated with the analysis of field collected samples and gamma spectra in an attempt to determine the isotopic mixture present on the ground around the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. There were several interesting and surprising lessons to be learned from the sample analysis portion of the response. The paper discusses several elements of the response that were unique to the event occurring in Japan, as well as several elements that would have occurred even in a U. S. nuclear reactor event. In addition, there are specific sections discussing details of the specific analytical challenges faced during the efforts to analyze samples and try to understand the overall release source term. Health Phys. 102(5):527-534; 2012