Introduction of radiometric system in Belarus

However, it is the foodstuffs contamination that people can control and reduce by themselves. The project “Introduction of the Radiation Monitoring System” developed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation is a perfect acknowledgment of people’s ability to change the situation for the better by reconsidering nutrition patterns.

The project was implemented in the Bragin and Khoiniki districts of the Gomel region in 2004-2008 jointly with partners from France (CEPN, ACRO) and Belarus (Belrad Institute, Gomel Institute of Radiology, Brest branch of the Institute of Radiology, Bragin-based NGO Sprout of Life, and district administrations). The project aimed to alleviate the radiation burden on the population by means of introduction of radiation protection practices in the local communities.

With this end in view, centres of radiological culture were created (six in each district). The centres, which use facilities of local schools for the most part, received radiological and computer equipment, and their management underwent special training.

The partners (first Belrad Institute, and then Gomel Institute of Radiology) conducted medical examinations of school students twice a year to measure the content of cesium-137 in children’s bodies. Those with the most dangerous doses were singled out following the tests. The families of such children were addressed individually to consider the issue, and detect sources of caesium in the first place.

Most commonly, radionuclides came from wild-growing berries, mushrooms, game, and fish, which are still quite hazardous. Radioactivity of milk was also reported in many cases. After that the task was to convince the families to reconsider nutrition, namely to avoid unsafe foodstuffs, or to start cooking them properly.

The acquired knowledge let the people comprehend that the situation could be changed, and health of their families could be protected by themselves. As a result, over the project period, the number of children in the high-risk groups reduced almost ten-fold.

Since 2009, the project has been totally managed by the regional administrations and the local communities. The radiological culture system has proved to be sustainable; regional hospitals undertook to monitor closely cesium-137 content among school students on a regular basis; children study basics of safe residence in contaminated territories.

A similar project will be implemented in 2009-2010 in one of the districts of the Mogilev region. Upon its completion, the experience acquired in all three districts will be systematized and offered in the form of a methodical guide to be used by the local centers of radiological culture. The project findings and recommendations will be introduced in all regions of Belarus hit by the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

Program Officer: Dmitry Mikhniuk

dmitry.mikhniuk@sdc.net

Source:

http://www.sdc.by/en/Home/Humanitarian_Aid_Programme/Health_and_Social_Rehabilitation/Radiometric_Systems