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V. V. Vasylenko, M.S. Kuriata, V.V. Morozov, L.O. Lytvynets, M.S. Kramarenko,
L.P. Mishchenko, N.I. Iskra, A.B. Bilonik, Z.S. Man, S.I. Borovkov
State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine», 53 Yuriia Illienka Str., Kyiv, 04050, Ukraine
STATUS AND RESULTS OF RADIATION-HYGIENIC MONITORING OF SETTLEMENTS IN RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED AREAS OF UKRAINE AT THE CURRENT STAGE OF THE CHORNOBYL ACCIDENT
Objective: the aim of the study was to analyze the results of radiation-hygienic monitoring of settlements located
in radioactively contaminated territories (RCT) of Ukraine at the current stage of the Chornobyl accident, as well as
the dynamics of the main factors contributing to population exposure doses, based on our own experimental
research conducted in reference settlements during 2012–2024.
Materials and Methods. The study covered 23 settlements in RCT of Ukraine: 8 settlements of the Ivankiv and
Poliske amalgamated territorial communities (ATC) of Kyiv region, 4 settlements of the Starosilska ATC of Sarny district, Rivne region, and 11 settlements of the Narodychi settlement territorial community (STC) of Zhytomyr region.
In the post-accident years, these settlements recorded the highest exposure levels, and once every 3 years a comprehensive radiation-hygienic monitoring was performed, which included: field WBC-laboratory surveys to assess
internal exposure doses; collection of food samples with subsequent analysis for radionuclides 137Cs and 90Sr; measurement of the exposure dose rate (EDR) to study external exposure; and surveys of residents on food consumption
volumes, both from their own households and purchased in trade networks. Dosimetric, radiochemical, and mathematical methods were applied in the study.
Results. A general further decrease in the levels of internal exposure was recorded in all surveyed settlements of
Kyiv, Zhytomyr, and Rivne regions, against the background of unstable seasonal dynamics during the year. Annual
effective doses of population exposure in reference settlements at the current stage of the Chornobyl accident are
mainly formed by internal exposure doses, which did not exceed 0.50 mSv·y-1 in 2022 in Kyiv region, 0.67 mSv·y-1 in
2023 in Rivne region, and 1.04 mSv·y-1 in 2024 in Zhytomyr region, with the RCT criterion set at 1 mSv·y-1. The main
factor determining internal exposure dose is incorporated 137Cs, entering the human body primarily through food
products such as milk and forest products, especially mushrooms, which traditionally constitute a significant part of
the diet in the Polissia region.
Conclusions. The existing radiation-ecological situation in areas exposed to radioactive contamination as a result
of the Chornobyl catastrophe requires continued monitoring of the levels of radioactive contamination in food products, especially those collected in forests, as well as monitoring of population exposure doses.
Key words: radioactively contaminated territories, comprehensive radiation-hygienic monitoring, internal exposure dose, whole body counter (WBC), food products, 137Cs, 90Sr.
Problems of Radiation Medicine and Radiobiology.
2025;30:143-159. doi: 10.33145/2304-8336-2025-30-143-159
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