STATUS OF THE CURRENT DOMESTIC REGULATORY BASE FOR ENSURING RADIATION SAFETY AND ANTI-RADIATION PROTECTION OF...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Military Medicine
• Radiation Safety

Background:

• Full-scale invasion necessitates a focus on radiation safety and anti-radiation protection for the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).
• Occupation of nuclear facilities and potential use of tactical nuclear weapons by the aggressor country heighten radiation risks for servicemen.
• Existing regulatory frameworks may not adequately address the unique radiation challenges faced by military personnel during martial law.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the current national regulatory framework for radiation safety and anti-radiation protection of military personnel under martial law.
• To identify gaps in existing regulations concerning military personnel's exposure during combat or special tasks.
• To propose solutions for enhancing radiation safety protocols for the AFU.

Main Methods:

• Bibliographic analysis
• Analytical review
• Historical research
• Systematic approach

Main Results:

• Current primary documents like State Hygienic Standards «Radiation Safety Standards of Ukraine (NRBU-97)» and NRBU-2021-P do not specifically address military personnel's exposure during combat.
• Analysis of radiation situation monitoring systems and medical support guidelines (2019, 2020) revealed limitations in addressing wartime radiation threats.
• Proposed modules for radiation safety principles within the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Conclusions:

• The lack of normalized radiation protection for military personnel during man-made and socio-political emergencies poses significant risks.
• Urgent development of regulatory documents is required for responding to nuclear and radiation threats during martial law.
• Improved planning, communication, and coordination across all management levels are crucial for effective anti-radiation protection.