Results of functioning of the Federal databank of radiation doses to the population of the Russian Federation due to natural sources of ionizing radiation in 2022–2024

The paper presents results of analysis of data accumulated during 2022–2024 in the Federal databank of radiation doses to the public from exposure to natural and technologically enhanced background radiation, which functions within the framework of the Unified State System for Monitoring and Accounting for Individual Doses of Radiation to the Citizens. The results of 598,604 measurements of ambient gamma dose rate in dwellings and public buildings and outdoors in various regions of the country, 155,249 measurements of indoor radon isotopes equilibrium equivalent concentration, 58,804 measurements of activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in drinking water were analyzed. Based on these data, a hygienic assessment of the radiation safety of the population of the Russian Federation due to exposure to natural sources of ionizing radiation in the period 2021–2023 was performed. The analysis of data on indoor radon isotopes equilibrium equivalent concentration showed that in a number of regions of Russia (the Altai Republic, the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), the Republic of Tyva, Zabaykalsky Krai, Irkutsk Oblast, etc.), in the study period, hygienic norms (action levels) for dwellings and public buildings were exceeded. The analysis of data on activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in drinking water revealed significant (more than an order of magnitude) exceedances of the intervention level for radon in drinking water of certain sources of drinking water supply in Chelyabinsk Oblast and Zabaikalsky Krai. The assessment of public doses due to natural sources of ionizing radiation showed that in several regions of Russia (the Altai Republic, the Republic of Bashkortostan, the Republic of Tyva, Irkutsk Oblast, Stavropol Krai, etc.) public exposure to natural sources can be classified as “increased” (average annual effective dose is in the range 5–10 mSv), and in Zabaikalsky Krai public exposure can be classified as “high” (average annual effective dose exceeds 10 mSv/year) in 2021 and 2023.