The Chernobyl accident, which occurred on 26 April 1986, presented major challenges to the European Community with respect to the practical and regulatory aspects of radiation protection, public information, trade, particularly in food, and international politics. The Chernobyl accident was also a major challenge to the international scientific community which had to evaluate rapidly the radiological consequences of the accident and advise on the introduction of any countermeasures. Prior to the accident at Chernobyl, countermeasures to reduce the consequences of radioactive contamination had been conceived largely in the context of relatively small accidental releases and for application over relatively small areas. Less consideration had been given to the practical implications of applying such measures in case of a large source term and a spread over a very large area. The Radiation Protection Research and Training Programme was influential in a number of important initiatives taken within the Community the further improvement of off-site accident management. Several existing contracts were reoriented and new contracts were placed; however, the financial means then available within the Programme were insufficient to fund the additional research identified as necessary. A proposal for a revision of the Programme was, therefore, elaborated in 1986. It comprised 10 specific "post-Chernobyl" research actions. This revision, with an additional budget of 10 MEcu for a period of two years, was adopted by the Council of Ministers on 21 December 1987. With the help of the Management and Coordination Advisory Committee (CGC) "Radiation Protection" a number of institutes was identified to carry out the research in a co-operative manner, and the research began in the spring of 1988. These post-Chernobyl activities have now been completed. Detailed reports on each of these studies and an additional volume containing the executive summaries of all reports are now available.immediately after the accident. Information was collected by Community scientists and, from it, an assessment made within days of the possible consequences. This showed that the health impact on the population of the European Community was not expected to be significant. About four weeks after the accident, the Programme, together with the US Department of Energy, organised a meeting in Brussels during which the data on dispersion of radioactive material were discussed and evaluated. Several other meetings followed soon after on the transfer of radionuclides in the food chain and possible health effects. These meetings were carried out in close co-operation with the DG XI (Directorate General, Environment, Consumer Protection and Nuclear Safety) within the CEC, and, externally, with international organisations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). In addition, the Commission convoked a Committee of high-level independent scientists to assess the scientific evidence from current research in view of recent nuclear incidences, to consider the possible implications for the Basic Standards and emergency reference levels and to advise the Commission on future action in radiological protection including research. (EUR 11449 EN). Soon after the accident, additional research requirements were identified by the Programme; these were mainly better methods to assess accident consequences and the further improvement of off-site accident management. Several existing contracts were reoriented and new contracts were placed; however, the financial means then available within the Programme were insufficient to fund the additional research identified as necessary. A proposal for a revision of the Programme was, therefore, elaborated in 1986. It comprised 10 specific "post-Chernobyl" research actions. This revision, with an additional budget of 10 MEcu for a period of two years, was adopted by the Council of Ministers on 21 December 1987. With the help of the Management and Coordination Advisory Committee (CGC) "Radiation Protection" a number of institutes was identified to carry out the research in a co-operative manner, and the research began in the spring of 1988. These post-Chernobyl activities have now been completed. Detailed reports on each of these studies and an additional volume containing the executive summaries of all reports are now available. In the event of a nuclear accident, there is a need for a rapid assessment of the resulting levels of environmental contamination in order to facilitate decisions on possible countermeasures. Volume I of this report covers the development of numerical models, in the form of software packages, to simulate atmospheric transport and deposition over various distances, and techniques for estimation of the resulting doses. Volume II describes the RADE-AID project to develop a computer system which can be used to support the formulation of decisions on countermeasures following an accidental release of radionuclides. The system is intended as an aid following an actual accident and a tool for assistance in planning and training.
