The X-ray machine workload (W) is defined as the integral of the anode current of the tube for a certain period of time. Information about the workload of an X-ray machine is needed in calculations of
the structural shielding in the X-ray rooms and in comparing the results of radiation monitoring, conducted in the X-ray rooms, with the permissible levels of doses to different categories of exposed persons. In the Russian Federation, the calculations of the structural shielding in the X-ray rooms are currently based on the conservative approach developed in the 1970s. This approach assumes that a very high value of workload, Wsum = 1000 mA×min×week-1, is used in the calculatons. Additionally to this conservative assumption, the maximum value of 100kV for the anode voltage is used. The aim of this study was to collect and analyze the information concerning real workload values of the X-ray machines placed in the routine rooms. The total values of the weekly workload and its distribution as a function of the tube voltage were registered. The average and maximum values of workload among surveyed X-ray units were about 2–4 times lower than the value of 1000 mA×min×week-1 specified in the National sanitary norms SanPin2.6.1.1192-03. Demo calculations show that if one uses the actual distribution of medical procedures depending on the tube voltage instead of the single value of 100kV specified in the SanPiN2.6.1.1192-03, then the required thickness of the shielding construction in the X-ray rooms can be reduced with a factor of two.

In the recent years, products that are produced using natural minerals with a high content of natural radionuclides have become widely used by households. The natural background radiation level can vary by tens and hundred times even for similar products, while areas of their application can differ from jewelry to medicine. However, normative documents (guidelines) on the content of natural radionuclides in such products have not been yet created. To ensure radiation safety in the use of these products, the dose limit is set: the effective annual dose due to direct use of these products must not exceed 0.1 mSv. This article discusses issues related to the application of the dedicated sections of the documents OSPORB-99/2010 and SanPiN 2.6.1.2800-10 during sanitary-epidemiological assessment of the products, for which regulations on the content of natural radionuclide’s are not created. Possible scenarios of human
exposure when using these products with the primary purpose are considered. Based on the limit of 0.1 mSv annual effective dose, the criteria for a rapid compliance assessment of the radiological characteristics of the individual groups of these products are proposed.

An experimental study of the possibility of eliminating the raster digital radiography. On stationary digital x-ray machine produced 117 x-ray images of the test object and x-rays of the chest cavity with the grid
and without him several patients-volunteers. Proven ability to eliminate grid digital radiography by digital processing of images, made without the grid that reduces dose radiation exposure of the patient more than in 3 times. «Virtual» grids enough improve the diagnostic quality of the photo to eliminate the pathology.

This paper presents data on the organization and results of the provision of the radiation safety in the period of preparation for the Winter Olympic and Paralympic games in Sochi, 2014. The following topics are overviewed in the paper: allocation of land plots for construction of the Olympic facilities; organization of the sanitary surveillance of the imported equipment, construction materials and designs for the construction of the Olympic facilities; putting the Olympic venues into operation. Dose rate of gamma radiation at all land plots, which were allocated for the construction of the Olympic facilities, conformed to the requirements of sanitary regulations. The average dose rate of gamma radiation was 0.11 μSv h-1 in the Coastal cluster and 0.14 μSv h-1 in the Mountain cluster. The radon fluence rate from the ground surface exceeded the prescribed limit of 80 mBq m-2 s-1 only at the land plot allocated for construction of the «House of receiving official delegations «Achipse» and the «House of receiving official delegations «Psekhako» in the Mountain cluster. The maximal value of 188 mBq m-2 s -1 was registered here. The buildings projects for this area included using radon protection measures, which were implemented during the construction.

The Chernobyl accident in 1986 is one of the most large-scale radiation accidents in the world. It led to radioactive contamination of large areas in the European part of the Russian Federation and at the neighboring countries. Now, there are more than 4000 settlements with the total population of 1.5 million in the radioactively contaminated areas of the Russian Federation. The Bryansk region is the most intensely contaminated region. For example, the Krasnogorskiy district still has settlements with the level of soil contamination by cesium-137 exceeding 40 Cu/km2. The regions of Tula, Kaluga and Orel are also significantly affected. In addition to these four regions, there are 10 more regions with the radioactively contaminated settlements. After the Chernobyl accident, the affected areas were divided into zones of radioactive contamination. The attribution of the settlements to a particular zone is determined by the level of soil contamination with 137Cs and by a value of the average annual effective dose that could be formed in the absence of: 1) active measures for radiation protection, and 2) self-limitation in consumption of the local food products. The main regulatory document on this issue is the Federal law № 1244-1 (dated May, 15,1991) «On the social protection of the citizens who have been exposed to radiation as a result of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant». The law extends to the territories, where, since 1991: – The average annual effective dose for the population exceeds 1 mSv (the value of effective dose that could be formed in the absence of active radiation protection measures and self-limitation in consumption of the local food products); – Soil surface contamination with cesium-137 exceeds 1 Cu/km2. The paper presents results of calculations of the average effective doses in 2014. The purpose was to use the dose values (SGED90) in zonation of contaminated territories. Therefore, the calculations have been done under the assumption that the doses were formed in the absence of active radiation protection measures and self-limitation in consumption of the local food products. The dose to population, rather than the density of radioactive contamination of soil by 137Cs, is the most objective characteristic of the actual radiation exposure to the residents of the contaminated areas.

The article is devoted to the modern problems of radioecology. The study reveals the problems of radioecological situation in some regions of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The main attention of the authors is paid to the ecologically hazardous objects in the uranium mining industry. The characteristics of wastes from uranium mining and stages of development of the mining industry are described. The historical background of the accumulation of the wastes in dumps, the ore-bearing rocks, and other off-balance ores is given. The practical experience and directions radio-ecological safety are generalized, achieving improvements of the environmental quality in areas with high risk. In conclusion, the authors recommend carrying out some measures to reduce an impact of the radiation factor on human health and to stabilize the radioecological situation at the studied regions.

This article deals with the issues of management of the uranium industry wastes at the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The characteristics of the main uranium deposits and mining methods are given. The environmental problems associated with presence of large areas occupied by the uranium industry wastes and with the influence of natural processes on the integrity of such storage places are discussed. The author gives a generalized description of the measures on improving radiation situation in the ecosystems at contaminated territories and facilities of the country. The efforts of the State in relation to the remediation of contaminated land on dangerous facilities are described. The main directions of responsibility and control of radiation safety at the territories containing the uranium industry wastes are indicated. Based on the analysis, the author highlights promising areas of the state policy to improve the system of protective actions to reduce existing or unregulated radiation risks. The main tasks in the field of protection of public health and the environment are defined in the paper.