The topic of abandoned sources of ionizing radiation needs constant attention. After all, not all IRSs, which once fell outside regulatory control, were found, collected and disposed. Nearly everyone can find a radioactive object, so it would not be superfluous to know what its signs are, who to turn to when such an object is found, and who collects spent IRSs. Because these simple rules save health and life.
Radiation has no color or smell, it could be indicated only by dosimeters-radiometers, and a corresponding sign warns about radioactivity. It is absolutely forbidden to do anything with an object that is suspected to be radioactive ny yourself. You should call either directly to the State Emergency Service or the police, who will transfer the signal to rescuers. They know how to manage such materials and can safely remove them.
Then the IRS are transported to the State Specialized Enterprise “Radon”, which temporarily stores them until they are transferred to safe disposal. By the way, if a person has kept and IRS in his pantry or garage, he/she can safely get rid of such deadly property — the voluntary surrender of the source is not punishable by law.
The Uatom.org team checked how much Kyivites know about safe management of orphaned IRS and reminded these simple rules one more time.
Oleksandr, 55 years old, pensioner
Oleksandr
55 years, pensioner
Please tell, what signs of radioactivity of an item do you know?
— I cannot tell you anything on this matter.
What are you going to do, what services to turn to if you reveal an item with a radioactivity mark?
— Firstly, it is necessary to turn to the police to fence that place and warn people not to approach that object. Because, for all that, it is radiation.
What enterprise provides collection, storage, and preparing for disposal of the ionizing radiation sources in Ukraine?
— No, I don’t know such an organization.
Interviewer:
— This is State Enterprise “Radon”.
— I heard of it. Heard its name, but hadn’t known that they do this.
Nikita
17, 11th grade pupil
Please tell, what signs of radioactivity of an item do you know?
— An icon that shows radioactivity.
Maybe, any other?
— To try it yourself?
The human doesn’t feel little doses of radiation. What are you going to do, what services to turn to if you reveal an item with a radioactivity mark?
— Well, I know that a lead glove is necessary to grab some radioactive element for less radiation to hit your skin. But what service to call?
What is the most trivial service to call on any matters?
— The police?
Interviewer:
— …or the State Emergency Service.
What enterprise provides collection, storage, and preparing for disposal of the ionizing radiation sources in Ukraine?
— I don’t know.
Interviewer:
— State Specialized Enterprise “Radon”.
— I heard something of that.
Yuriy
26, teacher
Please tell, what signs of radioactivity of an item do you know?
— It should affect the well-being of a person, it should emit light or radiate certain heat.
Are there any visual attributes?
— It should glow, or have some expressive color — radiation, I would say.
What are you going to do, what services to turn to if you reveal an item with a radioactivity mark?
— If I came across this, I would most likely call the rescue service “101”.
What enterprise provides collection, storage, and preparing for disposal of the ionizing radiation sources in Ukraine?
— No, I don’t know.
Anastasiya
20, journalist
Please tell, what signs of radioactivity of an item do you know?
— Even the phone can emit radiation, cannot it?
Yes, but not that kind. Any visual signs?
— There are trucks that transport hazardous substances, maybe it can be related to that. I do not know.
What are you going to do, what services to turn to if you reveal an item with a radioactivity mark?
— Depends on where I am. In the metro — the police or station employees. In a forest — the nearest forestry post or people who can help. In a village — a communal institution where they can help.
What enterprise provides collection, storage, and preparing for disposal of the ionizing radiation sources in Ukraine?
— I don’t know.
Oleksandra
50, businesswoman
Please tell, what signs of radioactivity of an item do you know?
— To be honest, I don’t even know how they are marked.
What are you going to do, what services to turn to if you reveal an item with a radioactivity mark?
— Frankly speaking, I don’t know much either. I think there should be some public services. Never thought or encountered. The police probably have to be called.
What enterprise provides collection, storage, and preparing for disposal of the ionizing radiation sources in Ukraine?
— I don’t know indeed and don’t have any information.
Sergiy
48, businessman
Please tell, what signs of radioactivity of an item do you know?
— There are no signs at all; you can learn and understand only with a dosimeter or counter of radioactivity. It is impossible in any other way.
What are you going to do, what services to turn to if you reveal an item with a radioactivity mark?
— To address the State Emergency Service first. I think it is their business and they will call a service that deals with the elimination of such items. The military have special units; I think there is a civil service too, but I don’t know which one.
What enterprise provides collection, storage, and preparing for disposal of the ionizing radiation sources in Ukraine?
— I don’t know the name of the organization. There should be such an organization, but there isn’t much information about it compared to the State Emergency Service, police or firefighters.
Polina
20, student
Please tell, what signs of radioactivity of an item do you know?
— Maybe if a special device is held near it… maybe a glow, a click? “Radioactive contamination” mark… That’s all.
What are you going to do, what services to turn to if you reveal an item with a radioactivity mark?
— To call some service. I don’t know which one. I would probably call the police and let them decide.
What enterprise provides collection, storage, and preparing for disposal of the ionizing radiation sources in Ukraine?
— No, I don’t know. I have never wondered.
Daryna
Student
Please tell, what signs of radioactivity of an item do you know?
— I will not be able to learn about radioactivity without a device, so none.
What are you going to do, what services to turn to if you reveal an item with a radioactivity mark?
— I have no idea. I would google first, ask friends. I know that there used to be mines of some radioactive substances in my hometown of Kropyvnytskyi. In principle, somewhere it remained there, but I do not even know where and how it affects.
What enterprise provides collection, storage, and preparing for disposal of the ionizing radiation sources in Ukraine?
— I haven’t even heard of it.
Kostiantyn
62, retired
Please tell, what signs of radioactivity of an item do you know?
— If this object is marked with a chemical hazard or a radiation hazard sign. These signs are very easy to identify, they are clear to everyone.
What are you going to do, what services to turn to if you reveal an item with a radioactivity mark?
— First, it must be treated as dangerous. People nearby should be warned, a fence should be built, like in case of explosive objects. I can call either firefighters or the police. The State Emergency Service is most likely to be engaged in this.
What enterprise provides collection, storage, and preparing for disposal of the ionizing radiation sources in Ukraine?
— I don’t know. I understand it may be connected with Chornobyl organizations or the ministry that manages our NPPs. This is my opinion.
