Public Awareness of Radiation Sources in Kyiv: Knowledge and Response in Case of Detection
Public Awareness of Radiation Sources in Kyiv: Knowledge and Response in Case of Detection
Public Awareness of Radiation Sources in Kyiv: Knowledge and Response in Case of Detection
Periodically, the Uatom.org Editorial Board conducts a survey among Kyiv residents on safe management of radiation sources.
This topic is extremely relevant and requires continuous attention, because not all radiation sources that once were beyond regulatory control have been detected, collected and disposed of. It should not be forgotten that the hostilities have increased the radiation hazard – today, anyone can find a radioactive item.
In October 2023, the Uatom.org Editorial Board communicated with Kyiv residents about the threats associated with radiation sources and conducted an information campaign explaining the algorithm of actions in case of detection of radiation sources and distributing the necessary materials for familiarization.
Alyona
Alyona
aged 32, sales assistant
Do you know what radiation sources (RS) are?
— No, I have never heard of them before.
Do you think household items can be radioactive?
— If things have been in a place with high radiation levels, of course they can.
Do you know the signs that can be used to recognize RS?
— No, I do not know.
Do you know about the risks and health hazards that RSs can pose?
— It all depends on the exposure degree of radioactive materials. The higher it is, the greater is the hazard to human health.
Has the RS-related hazard increased due to russia’s full-scale invasion?
— Of course, it has increased. Rashists use various weapons, including shells, but we do not know what they are made of.
What should you do if you find a radiation source?
— First of all, avoid touching it, move to a safe distance and call 101.
Andriy
aged 36, IT specialist
Do you know what radiation sources (RS) are?
— Unfortunately, no.
Do you think household items can be radioactive?
— I think, no.
Do you know the signs that can be used to recognize RS?
— No, I have no idea.
Do you know about the risks and health hazards that RSs can pose?
— I am aware of the risks: there can be problems with the skin, respiration, digestive system, etc.
Has the RS-related hazard increased due to russia’s full-scale invasion?
— Absolutely. The occupiers can strike at Zaporizhzhia NPP and other NPPs in Ukraine any moment.
What should you do if you find a radiation source?
— Call 102.
Maria
aged 59, housewife
Do you know what radiation sources (RS) are?
— Uranium, radium. Frankly speaking, I’m not very good at it.
Do you think household items can be radioactive?
— I hope not.
Do you know the signs that can be used to recognize RS?
— No, I don’t.
Do you know about the risks and health hazards that RSs can pose?
— This I know. There may be burns of varying severity, hair loss, and eventually a person may suffer from cancer.
Has the RS-related hazard increased due to russia’s full-scale invasion?
— I suppose, yes, it has increased. They (the rashists — ed.) stayed in the Chornobyl exclusion zone for a long time, and it’s hard to say what they have taken out of there.
What should you do if you find a radiation source?
— It is necessary to call the police.
Valeriy
aged 54, engaged in a construction field
Do you know what radiation sources (RS) are?
— Radiation sources are materials emitting radiation.
Where can radiation sources be used?
— For instance, for manufacturing fuel elements at domestic NPPs.
Do you think household items can be radioactive?
— They can. For example, old equipment with phosphorus coating.
Signs used to recognize RS?
— By the radiation hazard labeling — a yellow-black triangle with a three-leaf clover in the middle.
Risks and health hazards?
— I know in general, but I have not explored this issue in detail.
Has the RS-related hazard increased due to russia’s full-scale invasion?
— Definitely, it has increased. Primarily, this concerns Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which is not controlled by Ukraine. Secondly, their (rashists’ — ed.) presence in the Exclusion Zone. Thirdly, the constant threats to use nuclear weapons from russia.
What should you do if you find a radiation source?
— If there is no labeling, it is very difficult to determine that it is a radiation source. I would hardly have guessed, special equipment is needed here.
Tetiana
aged 48, works in the education sector
Do you know what radiation sources (RS) are?
— Frankly speaking, no.
Do you think household items can be radioactive?
— I am not sure about household items, but I have heard that mushrooms can accumulate radionuclides.
Do you know the signs that can be used to recognize RS?
— No, I don’t know.
Do you know about the risks and health hazards that RSs can pose?
— Contact with radioactive materials can lead to certain diseases, such as cancer.
Has the RS-related hazard increased due to russia’s full-scale invasion?
— I think it has increased. Various materials, including radioactive ones, were taken out of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. In addition, radiation particles were taken out on the shoes of the rashists, the wheels of their cars, tank tracks, etc. Nevertheless, I am concerned about the situation at the ZNPP, because the plant is managed by terrorists and ignorant people.
What should you do if you find a radiation source?
— Immediately call the State Emergency Service. Touching or moving radiation sources is strictly prohibited.
Denis
aged 26, student
Do you know what radiation sources (RS) are?
— Hard to say. Probably, it is the equipment for domestic NPPs.
Do you think household items can be radioactive?
— They can. For example, those taken from the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone.
Do you know the signs that can be used to recognize RS?
— To be honest, no.
Do you know about the risks and health hazards that RSs can pose?
— I know. It’s about oncological diseases and various pathologies, etc.
Has the RS-related hazard increased due to russia’s full-scale invasion?
— I believe so. The Zaporizhzhia NPP, which is not controlled by Ukraine, the possibility of attacks on the sites of other nuclear power plants, permanent threatening with nuclear weapons — all this is frustrating, pressuring people’s consciousness.
What should you do if you find a radiation source?
— I doubt that I would have been able to identify a radiation source. However, let’s imagine that I did recognize it. In this case, I would start actively googling: what to do, what services to call, etc.
Oleg
aged 50, IT specialist
Do you know what radiation sources (RS) are?
— Radiation sources are materials that contain a radioactive element.
Where can radiation sources be used?
— At domestic NPPs, in physical laboratories, medicine, etc.
Do you think household items can be radioactive?
— Household items that have been in contact with radioactive material may be radioactive.
Signs used to recognize RS?
— By radiation hazard labeling.
Risks and health hazards?
— Of course I do. First of all, we are talking about radiation disease. If the radiation exposure is severe, a person dies.
Has the RS-related hazard increased due to russia’s full-scale invasion?
— Certainly, it has increased. The rashists can do anything. First they looted the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, and took away a lot of stuff. Now they are terrorizing Zaporizhzhia NPP and threatening with nuclear weapons almost every week.
What should you do if you find a radiation source?
— It is necessary to call the State Emergency Service or the police so that they take the necessary measures.
Igor
aged 34, banking specialist
Do you know what radiation sources (RS) are?
— Radiation sources are materials emitting gamma rays.
Where can radiation sources be used?
— In nuclear industry and medicine.
Do you think household items can be radioactive?
— Any items that have been in contact with radiation sources may be radioactive.
Signs used to recognize RS?
— According to the radiation hazard labeling — yellow-black triangle.
Risks and health hazards?
— I know. In case of severe exposure, a person can die.
Has the RS-related hazard increased due to russia’s full-scale invasion?
— Of course it has. In the first days of the war, they (the rashists — ed.) seized the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone and did all kinds of damage there. Now they are terrorizing the ZNPP. In addition, there is a war in the country, any place can be attacked, including on the sites of other nuclear power plants.
What should you do if you find a radiation source?
— Run away from it (just kidding — ed.), but to be serious, you have to call the police.
Natalia
aged 43, economist
Do you know what radiation sources (RS) are?
— No, I don’t.
Do you think household items can be radioactive?
— I think they can. For example, metal utensils, kitchen appliances.
Do you know the signs that can be used to recognize RS?
— No.
Do you know about the risks and health hazards that RSs can pose?
— Radiation disease, formation of malignant tumors, etc.
Has the RS-related hazard increased due to russia’s full-scale invasion?
— Of course, it has increased. Today, anything can be shelled: a nuclear power plant site and other critical infrastructure facilities related to radioactive waste.
What should you do if you find a radiation source?
— Call the State Emergency Service as soon as possible.
Khrystyna
aged 40, pharmacist
Do you know what radiation sources (RS) are?
— Radiation sources are special items or devices that emit radiation under certain conditions.
Where can radiation sources be used?
— In industry, nuclear energy, medicine.
Do you think household items can be radioactive?
— Never thought about it. I can’t answer this question.
Signs used to recognize RS?
— I believe that only nuclear industry experts using professional equipment can identify radiation sources. Ordinary people are unlikely to recognize them.
Risks and health hazards?
— Excessive exposure is dangerous, there is a risk of cancer.
Has the RS-related hazard increased due to russia’s full-scale invasion?
— Sure. Every missile flying from the territory of the russian federation is dangerous. After all, it can hit anywhere: a nuclear power plant site, a radioactive waste storage facility, other nuclear industry facilities.
What should you do if you find a radiation source?
