Abstract
Background: The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident gave us a lesson on the importance of effective and timely implementation of public protective actions. National protection strategies, including decision-making process of public protective actions, should be developed at the preparedness stage of nuclear accidents. In particular, dose criteria for the decision-making of public protective actions should be predetermined.Materials and Methods: The dose criteria adopted in 24 countries and those provided by international standards were investigated for urgent protective actions (sheltering, evacuation, and iodine thyroid blocking [ITB]) and early protective actions (temporary relocation and restriction on food consumption). Other important factors such as exposure duration, dose quantities, and dose concept were also reviewed in this study.Results and Discussion: Most countries have applied different dose criteria ranging from 10 mSv to 100 mSv and exposure duration for dose estimation. An effective dose has been used for decision- making of all protective actions except for ITB, whereas thyroid dose (equivalent dose or absorbed dose) has been applied for ITB. Projected dose as the concept of radiation dose was found to be more appropriate than avertable dose due to conservative and practical reasons. The general range of dose criteria, which is in accordance with reference levels of 20–100 mSv, and exposure duration were obtained from the statistical data analysis.Conclusion: The dose criteria as a single value suggested in this study will be utilized for updating the dose criteria for decision-making of public protective actions in Republic of Korea. The revised dose criteria will be reflected in the emergency response plans of government authorities and nuclear licensees in the future.