Level of knowledge among the population of radiation safety basic issues

• Main Authors: S. A. Zelencova, G. V. Arhangel'skaja, N. M. Vishnjakova, I. A. Zykova, V. S. Repin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Saint-Petersburg Research Institute of Radiation Hygiene after Professor P.V. Ramzaev 2016-01-01
• Series: Radiacionnaâ Gigiena
• Subjects: questioning; peaceful nuclear explosions; regions of far eastern federal district of the russian federation; ionizing radiation; radiation safety; level of knowledge; informing; self-protection measures
• Online Access: https://www.radhyg.ru/jour/article/view/257

The goal of research was to determine the level of knowledge among the population on issues like sources of ionising radiation, methods of ionising radiation measurement, measures of self-protection in case of threating or actual radioactive pollution in the district, and to study self-estimation by the population of their knowledge of radiation safety issues. Research was carried out using the method of questioning of population groups in three regions close to the places of previous peaceful nuclear explosions (Arkhangelsk, Murmansk and Tyumen regions), and in five Far East regions of the Russian Federation (Kamchatka, Khabarovsk, Primorsky, Magadan and South-Sakhalin regions) after radiation accident in Japan at "Fukushima-1" NPP. This research included processing of 243 questionnaires from the regions close to places of previous peaceful nuclear explosions and 216 questionnaires from the Far East regions.The analysis of obtained questioning results enabled to make the following conclusions: the level of knowledge among the population about the basic concepts of radiation safety appeared to be generally low among respondents of all eight territories. Considerable number of respondents in seven groups correctly mentioned the x-ray device as a source of ionising radiation (from 71 to 88 % of answers). In Murmansk region – only 52 % of the answers. Respondents of the same seven groups often correctly answered the question on how to detect ionising radiation (only with devices) – from 68 to 98 % in different groups. The smallest number of correct answers to this question (42 %) is also noted among respondents from the Murmansk region.Level of knowledge on self-protection measures at threating or actual radioactive pollution of the places of residence appeared a little higher among the Far East region population, who had actual concerns regarding the threat of radioactive pollution at the present time. However, in all eight investigated groups many respondents did not know the right answers on self-protection measures, even the simplest ones – like “to close the windows”, “to search for additional information”, etc. Obtained data analysis enables to recommend organizations responsible for population protection against excessive radiation impact to use all methods of passive and active population informing on their optimum behavior in case of threating or actual radioactive pollution of the district, and to improve their knowledge of radiation safety basic issues.