Humanity uses atomic energy for various purposes. In some cases, it can be released and spread in space. In this case, vast territories far from the epicenter are infected by radiation. Irradiation affects not only the terrain, but also people, animals. Such a catastrophe has a number of negative consequences.
Today, there are certain sources and zones of radioactive contamination. There are several types of radiation. They differ in characteristics as well as consequences.
Explosion location
Radioactive contamination zones arise as a result of a nuclear or thermonuclear explosion. This can be a weapon, a scientific installation, a reactor of a power plant, etc. In this case, an accident or explosion can occur both on the surface of the earth and under it. It is also possible to release nuclear energy in the air.
Depending on the height at which the explosion occurred, various targets are hit. If nuclear energy is released at an altitude of more than 35 km, communication devices and power lines will fail at large distances. This is due to an electromagnetic pulse.
If an accident occurs on the surface of the earth, soil and other objects are drawn into the cloud from radiation. All substances that get here also become radioactive. After that, they fall on the ground. At the same time, everything in the district is infected with radiation.
Underground explosions provoke seismic waves. If there are structures or mines in the zone of their defeat, such structures are destroyed.
Sources
Areas of radioactive contamination of the area appear due to the explosion. Sources of radiation that infects the environment are parts of a nuclear charge that have not reacted and entered into interaction with other substances. Also, another substance that may be contaminated by a nuclear explosion may be another factor. Another source may be neutrons. They form in the area of the explosion.
In the explosion of a uranium-hydrogen or atomic bomb, a charge appears, which is provided by the fission of heavy nuclei. In this case, all three sources will be present.
If during the explosion the fission of nuclei is based on their synthesis from light to heavy (for example, in the process of releasing the energy of a hydrogen bomb), there will be no radioactive fission products. Such a source of infection can occur only in the case of the activity of detonation elements.
Radiation
In the explosion process, certain zones of radioactive contamination appear during accidents at nuclear power plants, in scientific laboratories and at other facilities. The result is radiation. This is the radiation of charged particles (photons, neutrons, electrons, etc.). Depending on which of the elements is released into space, the type of radiation is determined.
Ionization is the formation of charged ions, as well as free electrons. It is of several types. Ionizing (radiation) radiation can differ in energy impact. It depends on the type of elements that are released during the explosion.
These particles can penetrate through the substance. As a result, they have a different effect on matter. If the radiation consists of various particles of atoms, it can be called neutron, alpha or beta. If energy is emitted, x-ray and gamma radiation occur.
Infection zones
In the area of radioactive contamination, a person must know how to behave correctly. It can save a life. With the spread of radiation, the population receives a special warning. Data on the radiation and its location in space are mapped.
As a result, 4 zones of contamination of the area are distinguished. They are denoted by the letters of the Russian alphabet. In zone A, moderate infection is detected. This area is indicated on the map using blue.
In zone B, severe infection is determined. This space is also mapped. It is indicated in green. Dangerous infection is determined in zone B. It is isolated in brown. Extremely dangerous infection is detected in zone G. This space is indicated in black. Each of these zones determines the behavior of people in the disaster zone.
Zone Characterization
In zone A, a person receives radiation, which can be 40-400 R. This indicator is determined by the time spent by people in this area. The indicated figure characterizes the total amount of radiation that affects the body during the period of complete decay of substances deposited here. An hour after the explosion at the external boundary of zone A, the radiation level does not exceed 7 R / h.
In the zone of severe infection, a person receives radiation of 400-1200 R. At the same time, at the border between zones B and A, the radiation in an hour after the explosion will be 80 R / h.
In the zone of dangerous radioactive contamination, the radiation level becomes very high. A person who is on this site receives a radiation dose of 1200-4000 R. In zone D, the level of infection of a person with radiation can reach 10 thousand R.
Disaster area behavior
After an accident or explosion, a study of the radiation situation is organized. Based on certain indicators, radiation cloud propagation forecasts are made.
Reconnaissance activities are also underway, during which the actual propagation of radiation in space is determined. In accordance with the data obtained, maps emerge indicating the zones of infection. Appropriate action is being taken.
Actions in the affected areas
There are certain rules for the behavior of people in areas of radioactive contamination. In some cases, civilian and military personnel remain in shelters for a certain time. However, actions during radiation contamination involve removing people from areas of severe radiation damage to safer areas.
All personnel are withdrawn from zones G and B. Here the stay of people is unacceptable. 50% of the military personnel are withdrawn from zone D. Civilians are leaving this territory. They are quickly transported from areas of high contamination to less dangerous areas. Zone A military does not leave.
It is very important to behave correctly in the event of an emergency. People are evacuated from the zone of dangerous and extremely dangerous infection because of the impossibility of their long stay in shelter. This causes physical and psychological inconvenience.
Evacuation
Everyone should know the rules of conduct in the area of radioactive contamination. It can save the lives of thousands of people. Evacuation can be carried out from zones G and B three days after the accident. During this time, the level of radiation in the area will decrease significantly.
If you start the evacuation earlier, people can get a lethal dose of radiation when boarding a vehicle, moving through contaminated areas. People in the disaster area are notified of the start of the evacuation. They must prepare for the start of the move. For these purposes, transport is prepared in advance. Until the evacuation team sounds, people should remain in cover.
Landing in transport is fast. This reduces the likelihood of severe exposure. The rules of conduct in such a territory should be strictly observed. You need to move quickly, but not run. Try to raise as little dust as possible into the air. Go carefully.
Rules of behavior
Actions in zones of radioactive contamination are regulated by the headquarters of civil defense. The established mode is strictly observed. It is forbidden to drink, eat or smoke in the infected area. It is not permitted to remove protective equipment. Also, do not touch any objects. You can not move on dense grass or terrain that is overgrown with shrubs. If you have to go into the room from the street, you need to clean your clothes. There is radioactive dust on it. In open water, water also becomes infected. You can’t drink it.
Products that were in open form at the time of the accident are forbidden to eat. Radiation is detected in open products, even in deep layers. In grain, this indicator is at the level of 3 cm, in flour - 1 cm, in salt - 0.5 cm. Radioactive particles adhere to the surface of all products.
You can cook food only from those components that were stored in the refrigerator, cellar, closed cabinets, etc. at the time of the explosion. You can also eat foods that were stored in hermetically sealed glass, enameled dishes. Water can only be taken from protected, closed wells. If the accident occurred in the winter, when the surface was completely covered with ice, the water is suitable for drinking.
