The radiological accident described in this report took place in Lilo, Georgia, when sealed radiation sources were abandoned by a previous owner at a site without following established regulatory safety procedures. As a consequence, 11 individuals at the site were exposed for a long period of time to high doses of radiation which resulted inter alia in severe radiation induced skin injuries. The present report, which is co-sponsored by the World Health Organization, provides information on the medical management of radiation induced skin injuries as well as a comprehensive report on the circumstances and details of the accident and the lessons to be learned.
Contents: Executive summary; 1. Introduction; 2. Background information; 3. Chronology of the accident; 4. Recovery of sources; 5. Co-operation between the WHO and the IAEA; 6. IAEA mission;7. Biological dosimetry; 8. Overview of the medical aspects; 9. Primary medical assessment of the patients by local physicians in Georgia; 10. Diagnosis and treatment in specialized hospitals in France and Germany; 11. Pathophysical considerations regarding the development of clinical signs and symptoms;12. Treatment of four patients with recurrent skin ulcers in a specialized hospital in the Russian Federation; 13. Conclusions drawn from the medical management of the patients; 14. Recommendations on the follow-up of the patients; 15. Conclusions and lessons to be learned; Annex I: Status of the Georgian patients in August 1999;Annex II: WHO collaborating centres and liaison institutions within REMPAN.
