TIME PATTERN OF RADIONUCLIDE EMISSIONS AND DISCHARGES INTO THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE PIVDENNOUKRAINSKA NPP SURVEILLANCE ZONE

OBJECTIVE

assessment of impact of operation of the Pivdennoukrainska Nuclear Power Plant (PUNPP) on the environment of surveillance zone (SZ) based on parameters of radiation monitoring within 2015-2021 period.

METHODS

socio-hygienic (analysis of the radiation monitoring parameters), analytical, statistical.

RESULTS

The environmental radiation impact associated with emissions and discharges of radioactive substances originated in the production cycle of the PUNPP in everyday conditions was found as insignificant. The gas-aerosol atmospheric emissions of inert radioactive gases, long-lived nuclides, and 131I did not exceed the established permissible levels (PL) and amounted to a hundredth of a percent of the emission limit (EL) for the inert radioactive gases and long-lived nuclides, and a thousandth of a percent for radioactive iodine. Total atmospheric emissions of the 51Cr, 54Mn, 59Fe, 58Co, 60Co, 90Sr, 95Zr, 95Nb, 134Cs, 137Cs, and 3Н radionuclides by the PUNPP power units (actual and % of EL) did not exceed the established PL. Maximum average values of atmospheric air concentration of 137Cs in SZ forthe 2015-2021 period ranged from 2.858 μBq/m3 (PUNPP industrial site) to 1.986 μBq/m3 (Riabokoneve village, 33.5 km distance), and maximum average values of the 90Sr air concentration were from 1.310 μBq/m3 to 0.566 μBq/m3, respectively. According to radionuclide monitoring no significant change of the quality of surface water occurred upon the PUNPP discharges to the Pivdennyi Bug River. Specific activity of the 137Сs in agricultural products in the PUNPP SZ was insignificant and not exceeding the PL of the content in food products. Content of 137Cs in the samples from the PUNPP SZ did not exceed 1.0 % of the total activity.

CONCLUSION

Average concentration of radionuclides in atmospheric air of the settlements in the PUNPP SZ was several orders of magnitude lower than that established by regulatory documents. The PUNPP discharges to the Pivdennyi Bug River, according to radionuclide parameters that are monitored, have not significantly changed the quality of surface water. The content of 90Sr and 137Cs was uniform in all observation radii of distance from the NPP, confirming the very low level of 90Sr and 137Cs environmental emission by the PUNPP. The content of 137Cs in agricultural products within the PUNPP SZ was significantly lower than PL.

PRE-WAR STATE OF INFORMATION PROVISION OF THE POPULATION OF SURVEILLANCE ZONES ON THE SAFETY OF NUCLEAR ENERGY FACILITIES

OBJECTIVE

to assess the state of information needs of the population and its provision by local governments on the safety of nuclear energy facilities and community preparedness for emergencies at nuclear power plants (NNP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To determine the information needs of the population, a survey of the working population of the surveillance zone (SZ) of the NPP was conducted using unique probability sampling, where the sample was 322 people and the sampling error was 5.4 % with a confidence interval of 95.0 %. The issues of population behavior in case of emergencies at NPPs were studied. The assessment of the quality of the information content of the official websites of the executive authorities and local governments of various levels on radiation safety issues was carried out.

RESULTS

The population of the SZ NPP considers the most effective information at the place of work, through neighbors, friends, from State Emergency Service specialists. Among information channels, the first place in terms of efficiency is occupied by Internet resources and social networks; the press and television occupy the second position, but remain convenient for the majority of the population. The most popular information related to NPP activities are: radiation status, environmental impact, benefits and subventions, such as compensation for the risk of living near NPPs, conditions of storage and disposal of radioactive waste. The preparedness of communities and the behavior of the population, in case of an emergency at the nuclear power plant, has been practiced in the satellite city and partially in the cities, but the rural population understands the sequence of actions much worse.

CONCLUSION

Information support in NPP satellite cities is significantly better compared to rural areas of SZ. Bodies of executive power and local selfgovernment of the NPP SZ do not perform their function of informing the population on radiation safety and community readiness for emergencies through their official websites. The problem of information support of territorial communities is one of the most important to prevent the consequences of emergencies.

HEALTH IN THE SYSTEM OF VALUES OF THE POPULATION OF THE SURVEILLANCE ZONES NUCLEAR POWER PLANTSS

OBJECTIVE

to determine the place of health in the system of values of the population of the surveillance zone (SZ)of nuclear power plants (NPPs) and its importance in the perception of emergency risks (ER).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To determine the place of health in the value system, a survey of the able-bodied popula-tion of satellite cities of Rivne (RNPP) and South Ukrainian (SUNPP) nuclear power plants was conducted using non-repetitive sampling, where the sampling error does not exceed 7,0 %. The motivational and behavioral componentthat determined health in the individual hierarchy of values of the subject according to the questionnaireBerezovskaya R. A. was studied. Statistical and mathematical methods were used in the research process.

RESULTS

The array of respondents was conditionally divided into 4 groups according to their attitude to humanhealth. And the group where a person's life position is focused exclusively on health is the most common - 77,0 %.Group IV, which wants to live without limiting itself, is 8,1 %. The component integrity of values-goals and values-means among the urban population of the SZ of both nuclear power plants is the same: the main goal in life is health,happy family life, and as a means - perseverance, diligence and health. Goal values in groups I and IV have somedifferences: in the first group of respondents the main goal in life is health, and in the fourth, where a person's lifeguidelines exclude any restrictions - a happy family life. Values for these populations have some differences, but inboth groups health appears to be the main means to an end. There is a close correlation between the core of termi-nal values and the average indicators of the state of concern about the risk of emergencies.

CONCLUSIONS

Identified hierarchy of values: a group of stable dominant values; average status values; group of leastsignificant values. The values of the highest status among the values-goals are - health, happy family life and inte-resting work. Most respondents plan to achieve them through values such as «health», «perseverance and hardwork». There is a close correlation between the core of terminal values and the average indicators of the state ofconcern about the risk of emergencies.

ECOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS IN THE FORMATION OF THE POPULATION'S ATTITUDE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF NUCLEAR ENERGY

OBJECTIVE

Evaluation of the key environmental determinants that shape the response of the social environment tothe activities of nuclear power plants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The poll was conducted in the observation zone (OZ) of the South-Ukrainian NPP (SUNPP).A repetition-free probabilistic selection was used in the population survey. The sample of respondents from the population of the SUNPP OZ was 322 people with the sampling error of 5.4 % and confidence interval of 95.0%. An ordinal 5-point measurement scale was used to assess the quality of life and anxiety, and nominal measurement scaleswere used for other issues. All the age groups of population from 20 to 65 years were taken into account. The sociohygienic, sociological, statistical and mathematical research methods were applied in the process of work (relativevalues, averages, reliability of paired differences according to Student's t test).

RESULTS

The level of perception of radiation risk by the population of the NPP OZ was the lowest among respondentsof satellite cities of Rivne NPP (RNPP) and SUNPP compared to the population of rural settlements and cities of theOZ. Storage and shipment of radioactive waste are the determinant among the factors that form an environmentalthreat to the population of OZ as a result of NPP activities. Social factors that determine the assessment of environmental safety of NPP activities are employment at the NPP, place of residence, gender, age, level of education of thepopulation, etc. The «Ch-image» of the ecological catastrophe formed in the population of Ukraine as a result of theChNPP accident , regardless of the place of residence on the territory of Ukraine, influences behavior, formation ofplans and assessments, especially in population living near the ionizing radiation sources.

CONCLUSION

The current legislation governing the relationship between functioning NPPs and the communities inwhich they are located needs to be improved, guided by the basic principle of environmental public health - socialjustice, i.e. the human right to a healthy environment. It means that the settlements of the OZ (communities)receive funds to compensate for risk living in compliance with certain safety rules to maintain health. Legal regulation and constant awareness of population are the main directions for the formation of adequate assessments.

IMPACT OF THE RIVNE NPP ACTIVITY ON NATURAL AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE CONTROL AREA

OBJECTIVE

To assess an impact of the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) activity on the control area (CA) environ- ment according to environmental and radiation monitoring data over time of 2011-2017 as a component of the radiation safety system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Review of geographical and natural features of the territory of the «Rivne NPP» manufac- turing facility was carried out to assess its CA environment. Assessment of environmental and radiation situation of the CA was carried out according to the data of RNPP monitoring systems and a number of state institutions of Rivne oblast over time of 2011-2017. Opinion of the CA population about the RNPP environmental impact was studied. The sampled population of respondents was calculated based on the total population living in CA. The sampling error no more that 7.0%. Data from sociological survey of population were calculated using the statistical programs.

RESULTS

The radiation impact of RNPP on environment is related to emissions and discharges of radioactive sub- stances generated in the production cycle. Over time the total index of radionuclide discharge to the Styr River since 2011 is of a marked downward trend from 2.11 % to 0.18 %. The maximum concentrations of 60Co and 137Cs radionuclides at the three sampling points along the Styr River over time of 2011-2016 were about one thousandth of a percent, and of 131I - one hundredth of a permissible value according to the Radiation Safety Standards of Ukraine (RSSU). Emissions of inert radioactive gases and long-lived nuclides into the atmosphere were less than 0.2 % and iodine emissions were 0.01 % to the emission limit. Average radionuclide concentrations in the natural air of the RNPP CA settlements did not exceed the admissible concentration limit (ACL). Concentrations of chem- ical pollutants in discharges of the RNPP to the Styr River over time of 2012-2017 did not exceed the ACL. Integral wastewaters of municipal enterprises of the CA and RNPP result in an increased index of biochemical oxygen uti- lization and ammonium salt content in the Styr River, exceeding the ACL in fishery reservoir water. No exceedance of ACL of repugnant substances in the open air of settlements was observed regarding the pollutants under study. According to population survey the radiation contamination of territories as a result of the ChNPP accident and RNPP activities, which cause anxiety, are the key factors determining an environmental situation at the place of residence. The correlation coefficients between anxiety index and public estimates of environmental situation are established.

CONCLUSIONS

Content of radionuclides in emissions and discharges generated in the RNPP production cycle under everyday conditions does not exceed the allowed RSSU-97 values. The combined discharges of collective enterpri- ses and RNPP are the main sources of chemical pollution of surface waters in CA. There is a higher correlation coef- ficient between the anxiety and somatization rates and environmental sphere parameter in rural population com- pared to urban one. The combined effect of environmental, radiation and psychological factors on the RNPP CA population makes the health studies necessary in the latter.

MORBIDITY RATES IN THE NPP SURVEILLANCE ZONE AND RADIOLOGICALLY CONTAMINATED AREAS

OBJECTIVE

Comparative review of integral variables of mortality rates in children aged 0-17 years and adult popu-lation of the surveillance zone (SZ) of the Rivne NPP (RNPP) with the morbidity level in respective populationgroups of the radiologically contaminated areas (RCA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Morbidity rates were studied in population of the RNPP SZ (Volodymyretskyi andManevytskyi regions, Varash city) and RCT (Bereznivskyi and Kamin-Kashirskyi regions) according to the official sta-tistical data for 2016. The data set included data on the morbidity rates (from all diseases) and by the classes of dis-eases in children and adults in conversion to the 1000 persons of respective population in Rivne and Volyn oblasts.Morbidity review in children and adults was also carried out according to the «percentile-profile» methodology, themethod taking into account the age-related factors of morbidity, and the method of the sum of places.Mathematical, statistical, and programmatic capabilities of Microsoft Office Excel 2007 software were used for cal-culations.

RESULTS

Morbidity review in children of the RNPP SZ in 2016 indicates the lowest incidence level in children of theVarash city. Incidence rates in children aged 0-17 years living in the RCA are higher compared with the incidencerates of children of the RNPP SZ. Comparative review of the morbidity rates in adult population of the RNPP SZ indi-cates lower incidence rates by the classes of diseases in adults in Manevytskyi region compared with theVolodymyretskyi region and the city of Varash. The adult morbidity indices are higher in RCT than in RNPP SZ.

CONCLUSIONS

According to the results of «percentile-profile» approach, the studied areas were selected into the twogroups by a level of overall morbidity below and above the average level. Morbidity levels in children and adults inthe place of residence were distributed in different ways. Method of using the age coefficients of morbidity alloweddetermining the proportions that are related to childhood and adult morbidity in the studied areas. Disease inci-dence in children in the Varash city comprised a lowest share (21.0%) in the RNPP SZ general morbidity. The high-est share was made by children in Volodymyretskyi region of the SZ (49.0%). The highest morbidity level (from alldiseases) in adult population was observed in the Kamin-Kashirskyi region (RCT), in children it was the highest onein Bereznovskyi region (RCT). The lowest general morbidity in adult population was observed in the Volodymyretskyiregion, and in children it was the lowest one in the city of Varash (RNPP SZ).