Survey in Obolon

Representatives of the SNRIU, SSTC NRS and Youth Energy Community conducted survey in the Obolon district of Kyiv to check awareness of the public on nuclear and radiation safety issues. We want to thank all who agreed to answer our questions.

Left – Petro, 70 years old, retired; right – Kateryna Stavnichuk, editor of Uatom.org website.

1. What do you know about radiation sources?

«Radiation sources include first and foremost Wi-Fi. Besides, this is diverse equipment emitting radiation. For example, X-ray equipment, fluorescent lamps».

2. What would you do, if you find a suspicious item with radiation warning sign?

«I will call the police».

3. Until recently, there was a criminal liability in Ukraine for illegal possession of radiation sources. On 4 October 2016, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a law that exempts from criminal liability for voluntary surrender of radioactive materials. Do you think this will contribute to a voluntary surrender and registration of radiation sources in Ukraine?

«Given the Ukrainian mentality, I think not. Unscrupulous citizens who earlier possessed radioactive materials will hardly bring them anywhere».

The publication preserves the style of the interviewee.

Left – Danylo, 21 years old, student; right – Yevheniia Nikitchuk, expert of the State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety (SSTC NRS)

1. What do you know about radiation sources?

«Any radiation material can be the source of ionizing radiation. Such sources are hazardous to health. The level of danger depends primarily on the exposure dose. Some organs of human body are more sensitive to radiation exposure and some are less sensitive. For example, if ionizing radiation hits the retina, vision reduces to fast. In future, this may lead to malignant tumors and cancer. The thyroid gland is also very sensitive organ».

2. What would you do, if you find a suspicious item with radiation warning sign?

«I will call the police».

3. Until recently, there was a criminal liability in Ukraine for illegal possession of radiation sources. On 4 October 2016, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a law that exempts from criminal liability for voluntary surrender of radioactive materials. Do you think this will contribute to a voluntary surrender and registration of radiation sources in Ukraine?

«I think the owners will choose the path of less resistance. Probably, a significant number of documents shall be filled in to surrender the source. It would be much easier to throw the radiation source on roadside. This is the question of human dignity. Can I do so? I believe that the answer is no».

The publication preserves the style of the interviewee.

Right – Olena, 69 years old, biologist; left – Oleksandr Haran, press secretary of the Youth Energy Community.

1. What do you know about radiation sources?

«Frankly speaking, I know nothing about radiation sources. However, as every Ukrainian, I am well aware of Chornobyl. I work in a medical clinic and we almost do not have patients with a healthy thyroid gland».

2. What would you do, if you find a suspicious item with radiation warning sign?

«I would likely call the State Emergency Service».

3. Until recently, there was a criminal liability in Ukraine for illegal possession of radiation sources. On 4 October 2016, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a law that exempts from criminal liability for voluntary surrender of radioactive materials. Do you think this will contribute to a voluntary surrender and registration of radiation sources in Ukraine?

«I would give a philosophical answer to this question. Evil will never create good on this planet. Everybody shall form a healthy society from kindergarten and from school».

The publication preserves the style of the interviewee.

Right – Yuliia, 43 years old, salesperson; left – Kateryna Stavnichuk, editor of Uatom.org website.

1. What do you know about radiation sources?

I know that contaminated items are dangerous for health and sometimes for life. My father in law worked as a truck driver in Chornobyl. When the accident happened, he, like many others, has received a significant exposure dose, from which he died. Therefore, my family is well aware of detrimental radiation consequences.

2. What would you do, if you find a suspicious item with radiation warning sign?

«I will call the police. I think they know whom to contact further».

3. Until recently, there was a criminal liability in Ukraine for illegal possession of radiation sources. On 4 October 2016, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a law that exempts from criminal liability for voluntary surrender of radioactive materials. Do you think this will contribute to a voluntary surrender and registration of radiation sources in Ukraine?

«Frankly speaking, I do not know.».

The publication preserves the style of the interviewee.

Left – Tetiana, 32 years old, translator; Yevheniia Nikitchuk, expert of the State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety (SSTC NRS)

1. What do you know about radiation sources?

«Any item that surrounds us can be the source of radiation. For a certain period, people may not feel the effect of radiation, though in future it could lead to death».

2. What would you do, if you find a suspicious item with radiation warning sign?

«I will call “102”».

3. Until recently, there was a criminal liability in Ukraine for illegal possession of radiation sources. On 4 October 2016, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a law that exempts from criminal liability for voluntary surrender of radioactive materials. Do you think this will contribute to a voluntary surrender and registration of radiation sources in Ukraine?

«People do not want to take out the trash in our country. They throw it everywhere: in fields, near water bodies, in forests. Therefore, I am not sure that after the enactment of the Law, irresponsible owners of radiation sources will be responsible at once».

The publication preserves the style of the interviewee.

Right – Yevdokiia, 78 years old, retired; left – Oleksandr Haran, press secretary of the Youth Energy Community.

1. What do you know about radiation sources?

«I was born in Ivankiv district of the Kyiv Oblast. Therefore, I know a lot about Chornobyl. However, I am less familiar with the professional terminology. Unfortunately, I cannot give a decent definition of “radiation sources”».

2. What would you do, if you find a suspicious item with radiation warning sign?

«I will call the police».

3. Until recently, there was a criminal liability in Ukraine for illegal possession of radiation sources. On 4 October 2016, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a law that exempts from criminal liability for voluntary surrender of radioactive materials. Do you think this will contribute to a voluntary surrender and registration of radiation sources in Ukraine?

«I believe that the adoption of the Law, indeed, will contribute to voluntary surrender and registration of radiation sources in Ukraine. The only thing is to conduct more awareness campaigns».

The publication preserves the style of the interviewee.

Right – Volodymyr, 70 years old, retired; left – Kateryna Stavnichuk, editor of Uatom.org website.

1. What do you know about radiation sources?

«Any item subject to radiation impact can be the source of radiation. These items shall be handled very carefully, because the consequences can be fatal».

2. What would you do, if you find a suspicious item with radiation warning sign?

«First of all, I would withdrew to a safe distance. Then, I would inform other people about the danger and after this, I would call the appropriate service, “102” to be more specific».

3. Until recently, there was a criminal liability in Ukraine for illegal possession of radiation sources. On 4 October 2016, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a law that exempts from criminal liability for voluntary surrender of radioactive materials. Do you think this will contribute to a voluntary surrender and registration of radiation sources in Ukraine?

«I believe not».

The publication preserves the style of the interviewee.

Left – Mykhailo, 75 years old, instructor of fire prevention service; right – Yevheniia Nikitchuk, expert of the State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety (SSTC NRS).

1. What do you know about radiation sources?

«Radiation sources can be natural and man-made. We receive natural radiation mainly from the sun. Man-made radiation sources include Chornobyl NPP, Fukushima NPP and other items that are the results of human activities».

2. What would you do, if you find a suspicious item with radiation warning sign?

«I will call the police».

3. Until recently, there was a criminal liability in Ukraine for illegal possession of radiation sources. On 4 October 2016, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a law that exempts from criminal liability for voluntary surrender of radioactive materials. Do you think this will contribute to a voluntary surrender and registration of radiation sources in Ukraine?

«I think more awareness campaigns shall be conducted in this area. Therefore, the owners of radiation sources will know how and where to bring radiation sources».

The publication preserves the style of the interviewee.

Photo – Raisa, 29 years old, designer

1. What do you know about radiation sources?

«Radiation sources are various items that emit radiation. I would name modern gadgets, computers, mobile phones and pads the radiation sources».

2. What would you do, if you find a suspicious item with radiation warning sign?

«I will call the police».

3. Until recently, there was a criminal liability in Ukraine for illegal possession of radiation sources. On 4 October 2016, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a law that exempts from criminal liability for voluntary surrender of radioactive materials. Do you think this will contribute to a voluntary surrender and registration of radiation sources in Ukraine?

«I think that the adoption of the Law will not contribute to voluntary surrender of radiation sources».

The publication preserves the style of the interviewee.

Photo – Viktor, 62 years old, retired

1. What do you know about radiation sources?

«Radiation sources are items with radiation substances that are harmful to human health».

2. What would you do, if you find a suspicious item with radiation warning sign?

«I will call the police or the Ministry of Emergencies of Ukraine».

3. Until recently, there was a criminal liability in Ukraine for illegal possession of radiation sources. On 4 October 2016, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a law that exempts from criminal liability for voluntary surrender of radioactive materials. Do you think this will contribute to a voluntary surrender and registration of radiation sources in Ukraine?

«I think it would be better to take back the criminal liability and not to cancel it».

The publication preserves the style of the interviewee.