From the position of a 25-years’ experience to overcome the health effects of Chernobyl the dynamics of the radiation environment, the first summarizing at the international level (1988), the results of completed research and practical monitoring are analyzed. Cohort of acute radiation syndrome (ARS) survivors under medical observation at the S.I. "Research Center for Radiation Medicine of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine" is the largest. Within the 25 years the functional state of the major organs and body systems, and metabolic homeostasis for this category of persons were studied, a comprehensive assessment of their health, mental and physical performance were given, and risk factors and peculiarities of stochastic and non-stochastic pathology courses were identified, as well as a system of rehabilitation patients after ARS was developed. ARS survivors are suffering from chronic diseases of internal organs and systems (from 5-7 to 10-12 diagnoses at the same time). A correlation between acute radiation effects and specific HLA phenotypes were revealed. The dynamics of the immune system recovery after irradiation was studied. The role and prognostic value of telomere length and programmed cell death of lymphocytes in the formation of the cellular effects of ionizing radiation were determined for the first time. Differences between spontaneous and radiation-induced acute myeloid leukemias were found. Dose-dependent neuropsychiatric, neurophysiological, neuropsychological and neuroimaging deviations were identified after irradiation at doses above 0.3 Sv. It was shown that the lymphocytes of Chernobyl clean-up workers with doses 350 – 690 mGy can induce "the bystander effect" in the non-irradiated cells even after 19 years after exposure. The rates of cancer incidence and mortality of victims, the lessons and key problems to be solved in the third decade after the Chernobyl accident are considered.

255 plant (herbals and economically valuable plants) and 24 soil samples were taken from 4 investigated sites of Chechersk district for radiological analysis. The plants are presented by 33 species of 31 genera and 26 families. The rest 23 families included 1 species (3,0%) each. There were 6 (18,2%) tree species, 5 (15,1%) shrubs and 1 (3,0%) species of sub shrubs, 21 (63,6% ) species of grasses. Exceeding of ¹³⁷Cs permissible concentration was found out for 21 (48,8%) of 51 taken plant samples. Strontium accumulation changed from 343 Bk/kg to 14 Bk/kg. The research has shown that most part of radionuclides remain in the surface soil layers, which constitutes certain danger. Moreover 90Sr migration in soil takes place much quicker than ¹³⁷Cs. All these facts show that the use of herbals and other economically valuable plants from the studied sites is possible only under compulsory radiological control.

The article deals with the accumulation of radon in indoor air in the Jewish Autonomous Region. It is shown that the highest levels are detected in Obluchensky, Birobidzhan regions and in the capital of autonomy – Birobidzhan (mean for 2005–2010 values were 68 Bq/m3, 41,7 Bq/m3, 39,5 Bq/m3 correspondently). The maximum level was fixed in 2010 in Obluchensky region, it exceeded the permissible level by 1,7 times.

The article is devoted to an estimation of the level of radioanxiety of graduates of medical higher educational institutions and degree of their knowledge of negative influence of ionizing irradiation on the personnel and patients is considered. As their future trade directly or indirect – through patients, is connected with ionizing irradiation sources.

In the paper, we use the data on the content of caesium radionuclides in foodstuffs and in Bryansk region adult inhabitant’s body, on their food ration and its changes during the first years after the Chernobyl accident, and on the measures to protect the population from internal exposure. We calculate dynamics of ¹³⁷Cs intake in the body and its contents therein, while maintaining a traditional diet and while replacing food products for radiationfree ones. The results show that the actual ¹³⁷Cs content in the body is usually below the one calculated on the basis of the food ration. It was found out that individual ¹³⁷Cs contents in the body correlate with the rate of meat, dairy and natural food products consumption and with factors of protection from internal exposure. The efficiency of the protective measures to reduce the intake and the content of caesium radionuclides in the body of inhabitants, as well as the average effective dose in the first years after the accident has been quantitatively assessed.

We present the experience of the state sanitary-epidemiological service of the Moscow region on the ensuring and implementation of preparedness for radiation emergency response. We discuss the differentiation of radiation emergency responses, depending on the character of situation development and modifying circumstances.

The article gives an overview of operation results of databanks on the level and structure of the Russian Federation population exposure from natural radiation sources for the period of 2001-2010. We consider the ways to improve the system of collecting and recording of the data on the doses from natural exposure to the population based on the experience and the modern regulatory system for radiation protection.

The paper presents a brief analysis of methodology of assessing the risks from residential exposure to radon used worldwide and in Russia. Special attention is paid to the sources of information on residential exposure to radon and smoking prevalence data that could be used to assess risks for the population of Russia.

PROTECT INEXPERIENCED READER! Book review: A. V. Yablokov, V. B. Nesterenko, and A. V. Nesterenko, “Chernobyl: Consequences of the catastrophe for man and nature”.

Book review: V. P. Kryuchkov, O. A. Kochetkov, and A. G. Tsovyanov “Radiation dosimetry aspects of the Chernobyl accident consequences remediation”

“On holding the All-Russian meeting of radiation hygiene experts in the sphere of providing supervision of radiation safety in medicine”.

“On holding seminars on ensuring radiation safety for population”

NORMATIVE AND METHODOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION

JOURNAL OF RADIATION HYGIENE –INSTRUCTIONS FOR AUTHORS