Radiation safety at the present stage

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Objective: to determine the structures that ensure radiation safety, and methods of their operation.

Materials and methods: analysis of literature sources that reveal the problem of monitoring and ensuring radiation safety.

Objectives: Based on various sources of information, formulate recommendations for improving the work of global organizations in ensuring radiation safety.

Key words: radiation safety, ionizing radiation.

Relevance: ensuring radiation safety in the Russian Federation is a primary task of the entire national security system. Ionizing radioactive radiation can have extremely dangerous irreversible consequences for human health, so various modes of ensuring radiation safety of the population and personnel are being developed to protect citizens.

Introduction.

Radiation safety of the population is the state of protection of the present and future generations of people from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation on their health. [1]

The evolution of concepts and methodologies in the field of radiation safety is inextricably linked with the history of the development and use of atomic energy. At the beginning of development, in the second half of the 20th century, a key factor that determined the formation of this field was the emergence and rapid growth of the use of nuclear technologies, starting with the development of atomic weapons and ending with various peaceful applications, such as energy, radiation medicine (including radiotherapy and diagnostic methods) and industrial use (such as radiographic flaw detection and sterilization of products). The high importance of protecting human health and preserving the ecosystem from the negative effects of ionizing radiation has led to the development of unique scientific approaches and the formation of strict regulatory acts in this area. The Soviet Union, and later Russia, played a key role in this process, taking responsibility for the development and implementation of an extensive radiation safety system. A significant contribution was made to the development of theoretical foundations of radiation protection, the creation of dosimetric equipment, radiation monitoring methods, and, importantly, to the formation of a legal and regulatory framework governing all aspects of the handling of AI sources. Specific standards and regulations were developed for various applications of nuclear technologies, from designing nuclear power plants to transporting radioactive materials.

Results.

One of the international organizations in the field of radiation safety is the IAEA.

The IAEA is an intergovernmental organization in the UN system, established in 1957. Currently, 169 States are members of the Agency.

The activities of the IAEA are regulated by the Charter and are aimed at developing international cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of atomic energy, verifying compliance by States with their obligations to use nuclear materials and facilities exclusively for peaceful purposes, ensuring the safety of the use of atomic energy, and providing technical assistance, primarily to developing Member States. However, the document establishing the functions of the IAEA does not reflect the direct involvement of the Organization in the processes of nuclear disarmament, and this aspect does not stand out either among the main tasks or among the fundamental responsibilities of the IAEA. The document defining the Agency's structure and activities requires approval from each of its member States. [2]

 

Organizations on the territory of the Russian Federation that are actively involved in maintaining radiation safety can be divided into three main classes: : regulatory agencies and supporting institutions responsible for supervision and control; scientific institutions that conduct research in the field of radiation safety; and enterprises that have ionizing radiation sources and / or produce products for which radiation monitoring is critical. [3]

 

Currently, a critical role in maintaining radiation safety is played by the primary cluster of structures, among which the key position is occupied by Rospotrebnadzor. In addition to their direct duties, this group may also include institutions whose task is to protect the rule of law in the Russian Federation (Customs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Federal Security Service, prosecutor's offices, Rostechnadzor, Veterinary and Nuclear Supervision, and others) that encounter violations in the use of ionizing radiation sources and report these precedents to Rospotrebnadzor. [3]

 

The second group includes an extensive list of institutions and enterprises covering medical institutions (including those specializing in diagnostics and radiation therapy), laboratory units engaged in production activities, construction companies, as well as manufacturers of various products that either receive sanitary and epidemiological certificates for their products or import goods to the Russian market. the territory. The interaction of these organizations with radiation and radionuclides can be classified into two categories: organizations that directly use radiation sources (this mainly includes medical institutions), and organizations for which monitoring the level of radionuclides in the composition of environmental objects is critically important. [3]

 

Third-category organizations focus on developing norms, standards, and guidelines to enhance the competence of experts in the fields of radiation protection, radiology, and nuclear medicine. These include expert laboratories and centers that have received accreditation from the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor) to perform specialized examinations. [3]

 

Radiation safety of the population is achieved through the comprehensive work of state institutions and private companies aimed at ensuring compliance with sanitary standards and preventing the risk of radiation incidents in the Russian Federation. [3]

 

Conclusion.

After analyzing the current literature sources, we have proposed recommendations for improving the mechanisms for ensuring radiation safety:

1. Revision of design criteria. It is important to consider the complex of external factors affecting the nuclear power unit and develop strategies to guarantee nuclear safety in these conditions.
2. Optimization of the process of developing and updating safety standards for the use of atomic energy regulated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)is the introduction of mechanisms for their regular updating in the light of scientific and technological progress and operational experience of nuclear power plants.
3. Introducing provisions to the Convention on Early Warning of Nuclear Accidents that provide for immediate and Temporarily limited notification, which will reduce radiation risks for countries that have experienced or potentially experienced radiation exposure caused by an accident at a nuclear facility in another country.
4. Improving public awareness. This will help ease public concerns and increase confidence in the safety of nuclear power.

Conclusion.

Radiation safety of the population is achieved through the comprehensive work of state institutions and private companies aimed at ensuring compliance with sanitary standards and preventing the risk of radiation incidents in the Russian Federation. [3]

Over the past 30 years, there have been significant changes in the international practice of ensuring radiation safety. New methods of dosimetry are being developed, radiation background monitoring systems are being improved, and knowledge about the biological effects of various types of IRS is being deepened. New approaches to risk assessment for the population and the environment are being developed, taking into account the cumulative effect of AI exposure from various sources. This requires constant improvement of Russian legislation and regulatory and methodological framework, adapting them to modern scientific achievements and international requirements. The focus remains on the development of highly qualified personnel in the field of radiation protection, who have the skills to successfully solve multidimensional problems related to safety in the context of evolving nuclear technologies and increasing concentration on environmental protection.

About the authors

Egor Sergeevich Rychkov

Voronezh State Medical University named after N.N. Burdenko

Author for correspondence.
Email: egor_god2020@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0003-6040-535X
Russian Federation, 394036, Russia, Voronezh, str. Studencheskaya 10.

Victoria Denisovna Balashova

Voronezh State Medical University named after N.N. Burdenko

Email: egor_god2020@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0006-7142-6457
Russian Federation, 394036, Russia, Voronezh, str. Studencheskaya 10.

Lyudmila Evgenievna Mekhantyeva

Voronezh State Medical University named after N.N. Burdenko

Email: medkat@vrngmu.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-2439-3625

Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department - Disaster Medicine and Life Safety

Russian Federation, 394036, Russia, Voronezh, str. Studencheskaya 10.

Vladimir Pavlovich Ilyichev

Voronezh State Medical University named after N.N. Burdenko

Email: medkat@vrngmu.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-6683-257X

Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department - Disaster Medicine and Life Safety

Russian Federation, 394036, Russia, Voronezh, str. Studencheskaya 10.

References

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