Radiation Screening at the London 2012 Olympics. Mr Mark James

Transcription

1 Radiation Screening at the London 2012 Olympics Mr Mark James

2 Background 2010 UK Government decided to make arrangements to screen visitors to the London Olympic Games for radiation. Early 2011 scientists and radiological detection specialists at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) in Aldermaston were tasked by Home Office to provide technical and scientific assurance to the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) And later to provide technical/scientific support to London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) during games time. 2

3 Overview Risk based approach. The Olympics were seen as a high risk target. Built upon the UK s business-as-usual multi-agency CBRNE response capability. The aim was to prevent a threat radiation source from entering the Olympic park. Capability developed for the Olympic Park and Athletes Village. Screened for radioactive material during construction and prior to lock down - no threat material was identified during this screening. 3

4 Multiple Agencies CBRNe Response AWE Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) part of Home Office Metropolitan Police London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) G4S (Security) Office for Security and Counter Terrorism (OSCT) NUVIA Ltd (Radiation Protection Advisors) Health Protection Agency (HPA) Now Public Health England Ministry of Defence (MoD) 4

5 Detection Requirements Pre Games screening 100% of Vehicles and Pedestrians along with their baggage All alarms to be investigated and assessed Minimum disruption to traffic flows 5

6 Tender Process ODA invited equipment suppliers via their tender process. AWE along with ODA and CAST reviewed all tenders. James Fisher Nuclear (JFN) chosen as the equipment supplier, supported by Mirion Technologies as the manufacturers All detection equipment was Commercial, Off- The-Shelf (COTS). 6

7 Pre Games Screening Airborne Survey carried out by CAST RSI RS700 detectors 4 of (4 x4 x16 NAI) Data peer reviewed by AWE Spectral data analysed by CAST and AWE Purple micro Sv/hr light blue micro Sv/hr Green is micro Sv/hr 7

8 Vehicle Screening 8

9 Vehicle Search Area - Schematic 9

10 Vehicle Screening 10

11 Pedestrian Screening 11

12 Pedestrian Search Lanes - Schematic 12

13 Pedestrian Screening 13

14 Radiation Detection Instrumentation Personnel Screening Area SPIR-Ident isotopic detection portal. Fast Track Fibre (FTF) HDS under conveyor monitor PDS 100G HDS 101G + Laptop Vehicle Screening Area RTM 910 XL PDS 100G HDS 101G + Laptop 14

15 Specialist Support Data transferred to Park Operations Centre. Spir-Ident spectrum/id Gamma Rate FTF Gamma Rate HDS spectra/id Condition monitoring Equipment status Alarms 15

16 Actions on alarm Follow up initial alarm with secondary screening Liaise with security and military units Identify the radioisotope Put into context In Body or Bags Dose Rates Questionnaire Detain, release or refuse entry 16

17 Subject Matter experts A team of Scientific Liaison Officer (SLO) from AWE provided 24/7 coverage who were competent with and skilled in: Gamma spectroscopy Nuclear Radioisotopes Threat materials Medical Radioisotopes Working in a dynamic environment Decision making. 17

18 Outcomes Pedestrian 2.6 million pedestrians excluding staff and athletes Alarm rate of approximately 1:27,000 Total of 95 alarms Vehicle Estimated 100,000 vehicles screened No alarms confirmed above background level Initial set-up issues resulted in 144 alarms 18

19 Outcomes (Pedestrians) 3 isotopes gave 91% of alarms Distribution of Isotopes I % Tc-99m 35% Ti % 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% I-131 Tc-99m Ti-201 Ga-67 In-111 Lu

20 Outcomes (Vehicles) No alarms were above background levels. 59% of alarms were caused by 1 system. 63% of alarms in a single day before the opening ceremony. Isotopes identified were:- K-40, Ra-226, Th-232 and U

21 In Conclusion The solution successfully; Screened 2,600,000+ pedestrian movements. Screened a total of ~10,000 vehicles. No threat materials were detected. AWE Provided; Scientific advice which met all the ODA/LOCOG assurance standards. Fielded a team of Subject Matter Experts to resolve/mitigate all alarms the system generated. 21

22 Any Questions 22