Samples of vegetation (vascular plants) were collected at 14 grasslands on Kunashir, Iturup, Urup and Paramushir Islands in August–September 2012. All surveyed grasslands were virgin lands with respect to Fukushima fallout. Four plots were used as pastures for cattle in 2012. About 1 kg of green vegetation (mixed grass-forb crop) was taken from each of 13 plots. Seven samples of wormwood (Artemisia sp.) and three samples of Kuril dwarf bamboo (Sasa sp.) of the same mass were collected for comparison. A density of the above ground biomass was estimated at one of the plots. Activities of ¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁷Cs radionuclides were determined by direct γ-ray spectrometry method using HP-germanium detectors. Inventories of ¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁷Cs in the top 20 cm layer of soil were estimated by the authors earlier for each of these 14 plots based of the soil samples analysis. Caesium-134, a marker of Fukushima fallout, was determined in 18 of 24 vegetation samples. Caesium-137 activity was quantified in all of 24 samples. The activity concentration of the radionuclides in plants (wet weight) ranged from <0.05 Bq kg⁻¹ to 1.6 Bq kg^-1 for ¹³⁴Cs and from 0.06 Bq kg⁻¹ to 5.8 Bq kg^-1 for ¹³⁷Cs. About 2/5 (median = 41%, n = 18) of the total activity of ¹³⁷Cs in plants was associated with the Fukushima accident. The soil-to-plant aggregated transfer coefficient (T_ag) values in mixed grass-forb crop ranged from <0.2 × 10^–3 m² kg^-1 to 11 × 10^–3 m² kg^-1 for ¹³⁴Cs and from 0.08 × 10^–3 m² kg^-1 to 3.3 × 10^–3 m² kg^-1 for ¹³⁷Cs. The T_ag values for ¹³⁴Cs were statistically significantly higher compared to the Tag values for 137Cs. The median T_ag for ¹³⁴Cs in mixed grass-forb crop decreased in the 2011–2012 period by a factor of about two: from 12 × 10^–3 m² kg^-1 to 6.6 × 10^–3 m² kg^-1. The ecological half-time, Teco, of ¹³⁴Cs in the plants was approximately one year. In 2011–2012, the median T_ag for pre-Fukushima ¹³⁷Cs in mixed grass-forb crop was estimated as 0.12 × 10^–3 m² kg^-1. This value is lower by a factor of 100 and 50 compared to the median values of T_ag that were deduced for Fukushima-derived radiocaesium in 2011 and 2012, respectively. The radiocaesium T_ag values for Sasa sp. and Artemisia sp. agreed with those for mixed grass-forb crop. At grasslands with the aboveground biomass density of 1 kg m^–2 and the T_ag of 6 × 10^–3 m² kg-1 for ¹³⁴Cs, the contribution of the vegetation contamination to total inventory of the radionuclide did not exceed 1%. For ¹³⁷Cs, this contribution was less than 0.1%.

The aim of the study was to estimate the radiation characteristics of the mineral natural drinking table and medical-table water, consumed by the population of St-Petersburg and Leningrad region. This study was focused on the bottled natural mineral drinking water, available in St-Petersburg and Leningrad region market, as well as on the natural mineral drinking water sampled from the St-Petersburg groundwater supplies. Data on the levels of radionuclides specific activities in the sources under investigation was obtained using radiochemical analysis with the subsequent radiometric or spectrometric measurement of the counting samples. 107 samples of mineral natural drinking water were analyzed during the period from1999 till the December of 2017. Assessment included estimation in different combinations of the levels of gross alpha- and beta activities, specific activities of ²²6Ra, ²²⁴Ra, ²²⁸Ra, ²¹⁰Pb, ²¹⁰Po, ²³⁸U, ²³⁴U, ⁴⁰K and ²²²Rn, as well as the estimation of the index of conformance of the water to the requirements of the radiation safety. The mentioned index is the sum of the ratios of the specific activities of the individual radionuclides to the corresponding guidance levels. Exceedance of the index of conformance for the gross alpha-activity was detected for 87% of analyzed water samples; for the gross beta-activity – for 18% of the samples. Exceedance of the index of conformance of the water to the requirements of the radiation safety was detected for 40% of the analyzed samples. Exceeding of the guidance level of radionuclide in drinking water was found: in 24% water samples for ²²⁶Ra concentration, in 24% – for ²²⁸Ra concentration, in 3,5% – for ²²⁴Ra concentration. An exceedance of the guidance levels for ²¹⁰Pb, ²¹⁰Po, ²³⁸U, ²³⁴U, 40K and ²²²Rn in analyzed samples was not detected. The main contribution to the sum of the ratios of the specific activities of the natural radionuclides to the corresponding guidance levels and, correspondently to the exposure dose to the population of St-Petersburg and Leningrad region from the consumption of the mineral drinking water give ²²⁶Ra, ²²⁸Ra and ²²²Rn the total contribution of which to the mentioned value exceeds 90%.

Objective: To study the levels of radon accumulation in kindergartens in Sverdlovsk Region and to deter­mine the relationship between radon concentration, and building characteristics. To perform a detailed anal­ysis of radon entry and accumulation in the kindergarten, in which radon concentration exceeds the safety standards.

Materials and methods: Track detectors REI-4 on the base of LR-115 film were used. Detectors were installed in playrooms and bedrooms for day nap. In each kindergarten, at least 3 rooms were examined. The measurements were carried out twice a year, during the warm and cold seasons. The duration of exposure of the detectors was 2–3 months in each season. The AlphaGUARD radon monitor was installed in the kinder­garten with a high level of radon concentration.

Results: It is shown that the distribution of radon concentration in the kindergartens of the Sverdlovsk region can be described by a lognormal distribution with an average value of 60 Bq/m3, a geometric mean of 44 Bq/m³ and a standard geometric deviation of 2.23. A statistically significant differ­ence was found between the mean values of radon concentration in subgroups of buildings constructed at different periods. For the kindergartens constructed in 1950–1969, the average radon concentration was 85 Bq/m³, for buildings built in 1970–1989 – 54 Bq/m³. When comparing subgroups of rooms with different types of windows (all buildings, ground floors) it was found that in rooms with PVC windows, radon concentration is almost twice as high then in rooms with wooden windows. For the kindergarten, in which the annual radon concentration in the playroom was 620 Bq/m³, it was shown, that if the proper ventilation regime of this room is observed, the average radon concentration during the presence of children does not exceed 120 Bq/m³.

Conclusions. Factors affecting the indoor radon accumulation in the kindergartens are the type of building materials associated with different periods of building construction and the type of windows. When radon concentration measured in kindergartens reach sanitary standards, it is advisable to conduct an additional study of the daily radon variations, since during the active operation of the premises (working hours) radon levels may be significantly lower

High concentrations of radon in the premises leads to a risk of lung cancer for the population. In this regard, in the production of design and construction works, an assessment is made of the potential hazard of radon in the construction sites. At the present, the unified approach to methodology of assessment is not developed. Abroad, various categorical and numerical values, such as radon potential or radon index, are used as criteria for radon hazard. In different countries, these criteria are determined using various parameters: uranium / radium concentration, radon volumetric activity in soil air and premises, gas permeability of soils, geological structure of underlying rocks, dose rate of gamma radiation. Studies conducted abroad show that the parameters used, as a rule, do not correlate with the amount of radon entering buildings during its operation. In the Russian Federation, the radon flux density measured on the soil surface is used to estimate the potential radon hazard of a building site. Applied today method of potential radon hazard assessment has one general drawback. It is low reliability of results. Such a quality of assessments obtained by measuring the radon flux density is due to the variability in the values of this value and to the measurement of the surface of the soil. The paper discusses the results of measuring the radon flux density obtained by the methods of «accumulation chambers» and «carbon adsorbers» in the summer periods of 2014, 2016 and 2017. It was confirmed that the strongest influence on the values and variability of radon flux density is exerted by precipitation. The paper presents the results of radon flux density measurements on the soil surface, as well as on the surface of dense loams lying at depths of 0.5 m and 1.5 m. It is shown that the radon flux density measured on the soil surface is two to three times smaller than the values of this value measured on the surface of dense rocks. It is important to note that the lowest variability of the results (20%) was observed in 2014, when measurements were made on the surface of dense loams during dry, stable weather.

Institute of Radiation Hygiene carried out series of field studies because of possible dissemination of radioactive contamination in the territories of Far East regions of Russian Federation after the accident on “Fukushima-1” NPP. The aim of investigations was to clarify radiation situation in the territories of Sakhalin region. We carried out investigations during May-October of 2011 in the Sought-Eastern part of Sakhalin region including the territories of Korsakov district of Sakhalin Island and Kunashir and Shikotan Islands, which are located close to “Fukushima-1” NPP. In autumn of 2012, we carried additional investigation in the Islands Sakhalin, Iturup and Kunashir. In the frames of expedition investigations of 2011 – 2012, we carried out gamma-irradiation dose rate measurements, gamma-spectrometric investigations, sampling of soil, foodstuffs, environmental samples, and as well local population questionnaire survey with the aim of clarification of the food rations. We sampled 132 foodstuffs samples, which local population use to consume and implemented their gamma-spectrometric and radiochemical analysis. We carried out 99 questionnaire surveys of population to estimate the volume of consumption of different foodstuffs, clarification of food ration and its peculiarities. Carried survives revealed that practically all respondents consume milk, fish, mainly sea fish, seafood and/or edible algae. Local population consume freshly cooked, salt and pickled forest herbs: wild garlic, fern, and burdock. The consumption of cow milk, produced mainly in private farms, could reach 200 l/year, sea fish – 170 kg/year, seafood – 100 kg/year, edible algae – 50 kg/year. More than 50% of respondents rather actively consume forest mushrooms – up to 90 kg/year, 3% of respondents consume meat of game – up to 6 kg/year and feathered game – up to 15 kg/year. Carried survives revealed peculiarities of cattle ration: the cows gaze unorganized, feed meadow and forest grass and herbs, algae from a coast. Forestlands of the investigated region are located in the territories with prevailing of sandy, sandy loam and loamy soils. The values of caesium isotopes transfer factors from such soils to foodstuffs and environmental objects are much higher than the values of transfer factors from fertile black soils. Thus, the population of investigated territory actively consume the foodstuffs transfer of caesium isotopes to which is rather high.

An The article is devoted to the peculiarities of the internal exposure dose formation in the adult population of the internal dose forming of the adult population of Russian Federation due to consumption of different foodstuffs in the remote period after the accident on at the Chernobyl NPP. Estimation of the impact of different foodstuffs is carried out in the forming of the mentioned doses; the foodstuffs mainly contributing in the internal dose forming formation are revealed. Based on the Bryansk region data, the comparing was fulfilled of the current food rations of population with the previous rations – of during the initial and intermediate postaccidental periods. It is illustrated how the differences in food rations affect the levels of exposure of the local inhabitants, which is necessary for the appropriate assessment of the internal exposure doses for population living in the contaminated territories.

A survey of the population of the Leningrad and Murmansk regions was conducted in 2016–2017. The survey was devoted to the study of preferred sources of information on radiation safety. The sample size in the Leningrad region was 962 respondents, and in the Murmansk region – 802 respondents. It was found that less than 30% of respondents living in the Leningrad and Murmansk regions show interest in obtaining information on radiation safety. The respondents noted the greatest importance in obtaining information on three topics: «the effect of radiation on the body and the impact on health», «radiation protection measures available at the place of residence», and «dangerous and safe radiation levels». The possibility of obtaining accessible and regular information about the radiation situation in the place of residence is in demand among approximately 45% of respondents in the Leningrad region and 37% in the Murmansk region. Television, Internet and the SMS alerts were most often chosen by respondents as the most appropriate source of such information. With age, the proportion of users of traditional media, especially television, is increasing, among women slightly more than among men. The population revealed distrust of the media as sources of information about the radiation situation and safety, the confidence index for all types of media is negative. In the Murmansk region, the index of confidence in the media is lower than that in the Leningrad region. Among all types of mass media, TV has the greatest confidence in the population. On the Internet, the official websites of Rospotrebnadzor and Rosatom, as well as the official websites of local authorities in the Leningrad region, which have positive trust index, have the greatest confidence in the population. Search services, blogs, social networks, media sites, and official sites of local authorities in the Murmansk region have negative confidence index. More than a half of the population considers the inclusion of special training programs in the system of secondary and higher education to be the most effective method of improving environmental literacy. The following methods of educational work are also in demand: lectures and seminars with the participation of specialists and watching videos.

The purpose of the study was to estimate the doses to the Voronezh region population from natural sources of ionizing radiation and the technologically altered background in the territory of Voronezh Region. The data of forms of state statistical observation No. 4-DOZ “Information on the doses of population exposure due to natural and technologically altered background” for 20102017 and the radiation and hygienic passport of the territory of the Voronezh Region were used. The average annual per caput effective dose due to all types of ionizing radiation remains stable with a slight upward trend and lies in the range from 2.925 (2010) to 3.656 mSv (2017). Natural sources are the main dose-forming factors for the population. Their annual contribution to the annual effective dose ranges from 74.96 to 83.65%. The leading contribution to the total dose from natural sources is the exposure due to the inhalation of radon isotopes: it ranges from 37.6 to 51.1%. In second place,there is the share of external exposure from sources of terrigenous origin, which ranges from 21.2 to 28.9% of the total dose. The average annual effective dose of natural exposure to humans varies from 2,355 to 2,980 mSv / year, the exposure from radon – from 0,83 to 1,65 mSv / year. The dose from technogenic-altered radiation background, including global radioactive fallout due to atmospheric nuclear tests and due to past radiation accidents are insignificant (0,062 mSv / year). Its annual contribution to the total dose is less than 2%. Based on the results of the assessment of the indicators characterizing the level of exposure of sources of ionizing radiation to natural and technogenic-altered radiation background, no excess of radiation safety standards has been recorded. The situation associated with exposure to ionizing radiation sources in the Voronezh region has been described as safe for the last 8 years.

The article presents the results of alpha, gamma spectrometric analyzes of samples, dosimetry, radon monitoring of the estimated areas in the Istiklol city. It has been established that the specific activity of radionuclides for uranium and radium in the tailing materials are in the range: 1405 – 2140, 5935 – 9843 Bq / kg, respectively. Based on the results of the monitoring of gamma radiation and radon volume activity at Istiklol city sites, it has been established that gamma radiation ambient equivalent dose rate varies from 0.52 to 1.78 μSv / h, and radon volume activity in air ranges from 20 and 45 Bq / m3. It is shown that the radon concentration in the air above the surface of tailings is not high. However, the exhalation of radon from the soil surface of all the tailings dumps examined is above the standard (1 Bq / (m2·s). The results of measurements of radon volume activity in the air of residential buildings and facilities located on the territory of Istiklol city have shown that the value of radon volume activity is within the limits of 44 – 195 Bq / m3. A high value of radon volume activity is noted in the former dilapidated plant (1319 Bq / m3). Gamma and alpha spectrometric studies revealed that the average values   of the activity concentration of uranium and radium in the soils for tailings and the pit are for 234U – 65365 Bq / kg, for 238U – 50295 Bq / kg, and for 226Ra – 3800 Bq / kg. To estimate the doses of population irradiation via the water pathway were taken the average values   of the volumetric activity of 234U, 238U, 226Ra in the waters. Maximum values   of volumetric activity of radionuclides were observed in samples of drainage water, Bq / m3: 234U – 530000, 238U – 390000, 226Ra – 185. To calculate the contributions of various radiation factors to an additional annual dose of irradiation, the population was divided into four hypothetical groups. The time duration of stay of various hypothetical population groups in the areas of potential irradiation, radiation dose due to water use from contaminated water sources and additional factors in Istiklol were taken into account.The main contributor to the additional radiation dose received by hypothetical population groups is external irradiation during the stay on the territory of the FBR and tailing dumps, and internal irradiation due to the use of contaminated water.

This study is focused on the analysis of the results of the radiation-hygienic passportisation and the Joint state system of control and accounting of the individual doses of the public from natural sources of ionizing radiation in the Leningrad region. The results of the study include data on the number of measurements of the gamma-radiation dose rate in buildings and in open territories, number of measurements of volume activity and equivalent equilibrium volume activity of radon in the air in the public and residential buildings in the Leningrad region in 2007–2016 as well as the number of the assessments of the total volume alpha and beta activity and concentration of the natural occurring radionuclides in drinking water. The authors performed an assessment of the annual individual effective dose per resident of theLeningradregion. It was estimated as 3.09 mSv/year considering all the data in Regional dose databank. Natural sources of ionizing exposure contribute 92.6% to the annual effective dose to the public of the Leningrad region, that exceeds the average Russian values by 6%.

This study is focused on the main activities on provision of the radiation safety as a part of sanitary surveillance and radiation terrorism counteraction during the 2018 World Football Championship. The main activities at the preparatory stage are collection and analysis of information on the potentially dangerous sources of ionizing radiation in the regions of the Russian Federation hosting the 2018 World Football Championship; control of compliance to the sanitary rules of the projects of the allocation of X-ray screening units and their commissioning; radiation control as a part of the commissioning of the sport facilities after construction/reconstruction; sanitary control of the allocation of X-ray screening units on the sport and infrastructure facilities; organization-methodical activities. During the World Football Championship it is planned to carry out the radiation control in monitoring points and the control of the concentration of radionuclides in water and food stuff samples. In the framework of the radiation terrorism countermeasures, the main activities of the provision of the radiation safety are the radiation control on the infrastructure facilities, remote points of inspection and entry points to the sport facilities; full-time emergency preparedness. A brief evaluation of the equipment of the Rospotrebnadzor radiation control laboratories in the regions of the Russian Federation hosting the 2018 World Football Championship and their preparedness for the provision of the radiation safety is also presented in the paper.