Evaluating Radiation Protection Measures Using Socio-Cognitive Models. P. T. Allen, University of Surrey, Guildford
Radiation protection countermeasures taken in the long term post-emergency phase of a major nuclear accident, such as that at Chernobyl, become yet further elements of an already complex situation. Social and psychological factors have been found as both causes and effects in the contaminated territories and constitute part of the response to the countermeasures themselves. Consequently, evaluating the impact of countermeasures requires a developed understanding of the interactions between those measures, the psychological factors and the radiological outcomes. Socio-cognitive models, which relate behaviors to psychological factors, can be used to examine the nature and psychological impact of countermeasures, as well as the influence of behavior on dose. Data from surveys recently conducted in the regions affected by the Chernobyl accident have been used to demonstrate how the various factors can interact to affect the success of countermeasures, both in the sense of dose reduction and, with respect to their apparent potential for causing psychological distress.
Work supported by EU under Contract F14C-CT96-0010.
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