Radiation hygiene and safety of nuclear industry

This article covers basic issues of the radiation protection in nuclear industry. It contains an overview of history of the national nuclear industry including the creation of industry-specific facilities (research centers, medical units etc.). Main stages of the creating the regulatory system for radiation protection, starting from the beginning of the industrial radiation protection, stages of introducing exposure limits and implementation of the radiation protection system in international documents are described. In 1996, for the first time, radiation protection requirements in Russia were documented in the form of the Federal Law 3-FZ of 09.01.1996 “Radiation Protection of the Public". A new stage of updating the global methodological foundation of radiation protection began in 2007. IRCP recommendations of 2007 moved from the legacy practice and intervention approach focused on the process to the approach based on characteristics of exposure situation. The evolvement of new technologies (specifically, in the field of reactor engineering and used nuclear fuel) in recent years requires a special focus on the safety of the personnel and the public. This stipulates the necessity of the appropriate radiation protection support of activities for the safe implementation of modern technologies. Handling of spent nuclear fuel and generated radioactive wastes, safe decommissioning of radiation hazardous facilities, radiation protection during operation of radiation facilities in nonstandard conditions are all the issues requiring specific examination. Regulatory and procedural documents on radiation protection of the personnel and the public during development and implementation of new technologies have been developed and approved as a result of long-term work of scientists and other professionals.