The Main Directions of Improving the Current Standards and Rules to Provide Radiation Safety. Part 1. Scale of the Problem and Ways to Solve It

Abstract

Purpose: To justify the necessity to update the radiation safety standards in our country and to propose the main directions for revising the Russian regulatory framework in the field of radiation safety. Material and methods: This paper considers the phases of development of the radiation safety regulation system in Russia. It is noted that for the first time a full-fledged three-level system of radiation safety regulation was created in Russia in the early 2000s. A generalized analysis of new international documents in the field of radiation safety system, which are worth using in the Russian regulatory framework, is presented. Results: The main directions of the revision of the Russian regulatory framework in the field of radiation safety are: introduction of new concepts and current terminology; introduction of “soft” standards, which are reference levels and the so-called “dose constraints” (it is desirable to give this term a different Russian name); updating the principles and standards of emergency response; updating the dose coefficients taking into account new biokinetic models, extension of the list of radionuclides and pathways; introduction of special approaches in the field of internal dosimetry and regulation of radiation protection of workers under management of radionuclides with a long effective half-life of clearance from the human body (isotopes of plutonium and 90Sr); use of principles and standards according to the concept of exclusion, exemption, and clearance to justify the criteria for classifying various media as radioactive waste and waste with a high content of radionuclides; development of standards and rules for maintaining the radiation safety of workers and the public during the decommissioning of radiation facilities and the rehabilitation of contaminated areas. Conclusion: For the successful implementation of the work to be done, it is important to combine the efforts of the Russian scientists and practitioners who have accumulated extensive experience in the field of radiation safety. The high potential of the Russian specialists makes it possible to carry out this work in a short time. A necessary condition for the implementation of these works is the introduction of amendments to the Federal Law of 09.01.1996 No. 3-FL «On Radiation Safety of the Public».