Radiological Emergency: Exposure Assessment of Livestock Carcass Management
Citation:
Chattopadhyay, S. Radiological Emergency: Exposure Assessment of Livestock Carcass Management . U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-18/243, 2019.
Impact/Purpose:
A radiological emergency affecting livestock could be unintentional or intentional. Exposure estimates were performed in this report to rank the various livestock carcass management options relative to one another for a hypothetical site and mortality scenario from a potential radiological attack or radiological contamination emergencies. A tiered approach was effective to rank possible releases and exposures to radionuclides under a set of standardized environmental conditions, scale of mortality, and carcass management practices. Sensitivity analysis revealed the most important exposure considerations that could help decision makers setting priorities for mitigation in the event of mass livestock mortalities. The results from this research effort could form the basis of a tool to use site-specific considerations to evaluate the appropriateness of different disposal options. The evaluation provides information to public health and environmental agencies, animal farmers, veterinarians and other diverse group of professionals that they can use in site-specific decision-making to improve the health and well-being of animals, humans, and the environment.
Description:
The potential exposures and exposure pathways were compared for various options to support decision-making in the event of a radiological emergency to provide an in-depth evaluation based on understanding of ionizing radiation and radiation exposure, conceptual models of potential radionuclide releases and exposure pathways, equations and other quantitative resources, and available mitigation options.