Enhancing communication on Radiological Protection throughout Brazil

Abstract

This paper focus on the potential value of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to enhance communication on Radiological Protection throughout Brazil. The servers processing power added to the technology of relational databases allow to integrate information from different sources, enabling complex queries with reduced response time. It is our objective to provide radioactive facilities a complete repository for research, consultation and information on radiological protection in an integrated and efficient way. This webbased project works informatization of Radiological Protection Programs according to the positive tree published by AIEA in its Safety Series No. 102, the most generic and complete tree for an appropriate and effective radiation protection program. Up to this moment, the website counts on concepts, definitions and theory about optimization and monitoring procedures, interrelating information, currently scattered in various publications, in order to meet both Brazilian and international recommendations. The project involves not only the collection and interrelationship of existing information in the several publications, but also new approaches from some recommendations, such as potential exposures. Only few publications develop expressively the issue and, even though they provide fundamental theory, there is still lack of knowledge of failure probabilities, which currently constitutes a broad research field in radiological protection. This research proposes the development of fault trees and the analysis of different scenarios, suggesting paths to quantify probabilistically the occurrence of potential exposures, as well as probabilities to reach a certain level of dose. It is our target to complete the system in a near future, including other relevant issues, such as safe transport of radioactive materials, emergency response, radioactive waste management and decommissioning, among others. We believe the use of information technology for the radiological protection programs shall contribute greatly to provide information to Brazilian radioactive facilities throughout the country, spreading information to as many people as possible, minimizing geographic distances and stimulating communication and development.