Radiation hygienic aspects of emergency response to major radiation accidents

The pace of development of nuclear technologies is inextricably linked to the need to improve and update approaches to the preparedness of effective and adequate response to emergencies. The introduction of new solutions, which over the last few decades have significantly reduced the risks of severe consequences of major radiation accidents, cannot guarantee their absolute absence. Improvement of the systems of deep echelon radiation protection, radiation monitoring and control, the level of training of staff of radiation facilities cannot go separately from the development of a set of emergency preparedness and emergency response measures. The aim of the work is to review the systems of response to major radiation accidents recommended by ICRP and IAEA, and Russian federal laws and regulations. The results of the work have shown that when updating and revising sanitary norms and rules in the field of radiation safety, it is recommended to consider the need to supplement the current system of classification of radiation facilities by potential radiation hazard, with system criteria for categorisation of activities by the degree of emergency preparedness. These criteria would cover not only the operation of stationary radiation facilities for which a sanitary protection zone is established, but also operations with sources of ionising radiation outside stationary conditions, including transport of radioactive substances, operation of ships with nuclear propulsion systems, as well as radiation hazardous facilities located outside the country. The introduction of such categorisation creates a basis for determining emergency response zones and distances, which will make it possible to determine an effective set of radiation protection measures for the population planned by the authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation together with the operating organisations and the authorities carrying out state regulation of safety in the field of the use of atomic energy.

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