Level of knowledge among the population of radiation safety basic issues

The goal of research was to determine the level of knowledge among the population on issues like sources of ionising radiation, methods of ionising radiation measurement, measures of self-protection in case of threating or actual radioactive pollution in the district, and to study self-estimation by the population of their knowledge of radiation safety issues.

 Research was carried out using the method of questioning of population groups in three regions close to the places of previous peaceful nuclear explosions (Arkhangelsk, Murmansk and Tyumen regions), and in five Far East regions of the Russian Federation (Kamchatka, Khabarovsk, Primorsky, Magadan and South-Sakhalin regions) after radiation accident in Japan at "Fukushima-1" NPP. This research included processing of 243 questionnaires from the regions close to places of previous peaceful nuclear explosions and 216 questionnaires from the Far East regions.

The analysis of obtained questioning results enabled to make the following conclusions: the level of knowledge among the population about the basic concepts of radiation safety appeared to be generally low among respondents of all eight territories. Considerable number of respondents in seven groups correctly mentioned the x-ray device as a source of ionising radiation (from 71 to 88 % of answers). In Murmansk region – only 52 % of the answers. Respondents of the same seven groups often correctly answered the question on how to detect ionising radiation (only with devices) – from 68 to 98 % in different groups. The smallest number of correct answers to this question (42 %) is also noted among respondents from the Murmansk region.

Level of knowledge on self-protection measures at threating or actual radioactive pollution of the places of residence appeared a little higher among the Far East region population, who had actual concerns regarding the threat of radioactive pollution at the present time. However, in all eight investigated groups many respondents did not know the right answers on self-protection measures, even the simplest ones – like “to close the windows”, “to search for additional information”, etc.

 Obtained data analysis enables to recommend organizations responsible for population protection against excessive radiation impact to use all methods of passive and active population informing on their optimum behavior in case of threating or actual radioactive pollution of the district, and to improve their knowledge of radiation safety basic issues.

1. Arhangel'skaja G.V., Zykova I.A., Zelencova S.A. Trudnosti informirovanija naselenija po voprosam radiacionnoj bezopasnosti [Challenges at Population Informing on Radiation Safety Issues]. Radiacionnaja gigiena – Radiation Hygiene,2014, Vol.7, No 2, pp. 11-18.

2. Arhangel'skaja G.V., Vajnberg A.L., Gubernatorova V.V. [et al.] Sub'ektivnye ocenki radiacionnogo riska na territorijah, prilegajushhih k mestam provedenija mirnyh jadernyh vzryvov [Subjective Assessments of Radiation Risk in the Territories Adjacent to Peaceful Nuclear Explosions Venues]. Radiacionnaja gigiena – Radiation Hygiene, 2009,Vol.2, No2, pp. 34-39.

3. Зеленцова С.А., Архангельская Г.В., Зыкова И.А. Obshhestvennoe mnenie o mirnyh jadernyh vzryvah v Permskom krae [Public Opinion about Peaceful Nuclear Explosions in the Perm Region]. Radiacionnaja gigiena – Radiation Hygiene, 2010, Vol.3, No 1, pp. 5-9.

4. Arhangel'skaja G.V., Vasil'eva T.A., Zelencova S.A. [et al.] Mnenie mestnyh zhitelej o posledstvijah mirnyh jadernyh vzryvov, provedennyh na territorii respubliki Saha (Jakutija) [Local Residents Opinion about Consequences of the Peaceful Nuclear Explosions on the Territory of Sakha Republic (Yakutia)]. Radiacionnaja gigiena – Radiation Hygiene, 2010,Vol.3, No 4, pp. 15-21.

5. Arhangel'skaja G.V., Zelencova S.A., Zykova I.A. [et al.] Problemy informirovanija naselenija o posledstvijah mirnyh jadernyh vzryvov [Issues of Population Informing on Peaceful Nuclear Explosions Consequences].Radiacionnaja gigiena – Radiation Hygiene, 2011, Vol.4, No 1, pp. 20-26.

6. Zykova I.A., Garbuz Ju.A., Zelencova S.A. [et al.] Analiz publikacij ob avarii na AJeS «Fukusima» v sredstvah massovoj informacii [Analysis of Mass Media Publications about "Fukushima" NPP Accident].Radiacionnaja gigiena – Radiation Hygiene, 2011, Vol.4, No 3, pp. 43-49.

7. Arhangel'skaja G.V., Zelencova S.A., Zykova I.A. Mirnye jadernye vzryvy v Arhangel'skoj oblasti i otnoshenie naselenija k ih posledstvijam [Peaceful Nuclear Explosions in the Arkhangelsk Region and the Population Attitude to their Consequences].Radiacionnaja gigiena – Radiation Hygiene, 2012 – V.5, No 2. – pp. 14-19.

8. Arhangel'skaja G.V., Zelencova S.A., Zykova I.A. [et al.] Otnoshenie naselenija Tjumenskoj oblasti k posledstvijam provedenija mirnogo jadernogo vzryva «Tavda» [Attitude of the Tyumen Region Population to Consequences of Peaceful Nuclear Explosion "Tavda"].Radiacionnaja gigiena – Radiation Hygiene, 2013 , Vol. 6, No 2,pp. 5-10.

9. Arhangel'skaja G.V., Zelencova S.A., Zykova I.A. Informacionnye potrebnosti naselenija v razlichnyh radiacionno-gigienicheskih situacijah [Population Information Needs in Different Radiation Hygiene Situations].Radiacionnaja gigiena – Radiation Hygiene, 2013, Vol. 6, No 4, pp. 11-18.

10. Zykova I.A., Arhangel'skaja G.V. Radiotrevozhnost' naselenija zagrjaznennyh territorij i mery po ee snizheniju [Polluted Territories Population Concern about Radiation and Measures for its Decrease]. Posobie dlja specialistov sluzhb Rospotrebnadzora – Guidelines for experts of Rospotrebnadzor services, FBIS SRIRH after Professor P.V. Ramzaev, 2007, 24 p.

11. Zykova I.A., Arhangel'skaja G.V., Hramcov E.V. Social'nopsihologicheskie posledstvija krupnyh radiacionnyh avarij [Social and Psychological Consequences of Big Radiation Accidents]. Posobie dlja vrachej – Guidelines for doctors,SI SPb SRIRH, 2002, 32 p.

12. Arhangel'skaja G.V., Zelencova S.A., Zykova I.A. Metodicheskie podhody k informacionnoj zashhite naselenija na osnove predstavlenij o social'noj priemlemosti radiacionnogo riska [Methodical Approaches to Population Information Protection on the Basis of Ideas on Social Acceptability of Radiation Risk]. Radiacionnaja gigiena – Radiation Hygiene, 2010, Vol. 3, No 1, pp 60-64.

13. Arhangel'skaja G.V., Zykova I.A. Sanitarno-prosvetitel'skaja rabota sredi naselenija, prozhivajushhego na radioaktivnozagrjaznennyh territorijah, po preodoleniju posledstvij radiacionnogo vozdejstvija na sovremennom jetape [Sanitary and Educational Activities among Population Living in Radiation Polluted Territories, for Overcoming of Radiation Impact Consequences at the Present Time Period]. Metodicheskie rekomendacii – Methodical recommendations,2005, 30 pp.

14. Arhangel'skaja G.V., Zykova I.A., Teodorovich O.A. [et al.] [Hygienic Education on Radiation Safety Issues for People from Risk Groups Subject to Raised Levels of Radiation Impact]. Metodicheskie rekomendacii – Methodical recommendations, 2006, 20 pp.

15. Arhangel'skaja G.V., Zykova I.A. [Information Assistance to Population for Prevention and Mitigation of Social and Psychological Consequences of Impact on the Population of Adverse Radiation-caused Factors]. Posobie dlja vrachej – Guidelines for doctors,SI SPb SRIRH, 2003, 28 pp.