Simulated transport time and distance from nuclear power plant to nearest university hospital in Korea

Authors

  • Hyo Joong Kim Department of Anesthesiology and pain medicine, Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University, Busan
  • Yong Han Kim Department of Anesthesiology and pain medicine, Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University, Busan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20173866

Keywords:

Nuclear power plant, Transport time, Korea

Abstract

Background: Nuclear accident has a possibility of many injured people and requires urgent transfer to hospital. We investigated simulated transport time and distance from nuclear power plant to nearest university hospital by motor vehicle in Korea.

Methods: This study was based on scenario design. Transport time and distance was measured on internet mapping service. We decided less than one hour is optimal on estimated arrival by motor vehicle.

Results: Four nuclear power plants and twenty four nuclear reactors are operating in Korea. Each estimated arrival time to nearest university hospital is 37 min, 47 min, 1 hour 32 min and 2 hours 37 min, respectively (Gori, Wolsung, Yeonggwang and Uljin). Measured distance is 25, 27, 69 and 157 kilometers, respectively.

Conclusions: Gori and Wolsung nuclear power plants require other hospital in close location or more rapid transport system. 

Author Biography

Yong Han Kim, Department of Anesthesiology and pain medicine, Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University, Busan

Associate professor

References

Available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sellafield #Calder_Hall_nuclear_power_station. Accessed 8 October 2015.

Kim YH. Nuclear power: is it blessing or disaster in East Asia? Iranian J Publ health. 2012;41(6):105.

Available at http:/ http://map.naver.com/. Accessed 20 October 2015 (Korean).

Dallas CE. Medical lessons learned from Chernobyl relative to nuclear detonations and failed nuclear reactors. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2012;6(4):330-4.

Sugimoto T, Shinozaki T, Naruse T, Miyatoto Y. Who was concerned about radiation, food safety, and natural disasters after the great East Japan earthquake and Fukushima catastrophe? A nationwide cross-sectional survey in 2012. PLoS One. 2014;9(9):e106377.

Parr MJA, Grande CM. Mechanisms of trauma. In: Grande CM, ed. Textbook of Trauma Anesthesia. Chapter 36. St. Louis: Mosby; 1994: 325-341.

Schultz CH, Koenig KL, Noji EK. A medical disaster response to reduce immediate mortality after an earthquake. N Engl J Med. 1996;334(7):438-44.

Coupland RM, Parker PJ, Gray RC. Triage of war wounded: the experience of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Injury. 1992;23(8):507-10.

Ono K. Fukushima nuclear power station: what happened? Why all health care professionals need radiation training. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2012;36(2):231-3.

Grace MB, Moyer BR, Prasher J, Cliffer KD, Ramakrishnan N, Kaminski J, et al. Rapid radiation dose assessment for radiological public health emergencies: roles of NIAID and BARDA. Health Phys. 2010;98(2):172-8.

Rea ME, Gougelet RM, Nicolalde RJ, Geiling JA, Swartz HM. Proposed triage categories for large-scale radiation incidents using high-accuracy biodosimetry methods. Health Phys. 2010;98(2):136-44.

Swartz HM, Flood AB, Gougelet RM, Rea ME, Nicolalde RJ, Williams BB. A critical assessment of biodosimetry methods for large-scale incidents. Health Phys. 2010;98(2):95-108.

Cho KR, Kim YH, Joo HC, Jeon SY, Jung JW, Lee KH, et al. Capacity of operating room in the occurrence of tsunami on Haeundae Beach. Rawal Medical Journal. 2014;39(3):277-80.

Downloads

Published

2017-08-23

How to Cite

Kim, H. J., & Kim, Y. H. (2017). Simulated transport time and distance from nuclear power plant to nearest university hospital in Korea. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 4(9), 3485–3487. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20173866