Complex program of scientific support of works in the Exclusion Zone for the period till 2010

Complex program of scientific support of works in the Exclusion for the period till 2010 have been approved by Minister, Ministry of Ukraine of Emergencies and Affairs of Population Protection from the Consequences of Chernobyl Catastrophe G.V.Reva, Vice President, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine A.K.Shidlovsky, Vice Minister, Ministry of Ukraine for Fuel and Energy M.O.Shteinberg, Head Department - Administration of the Exclusion Zone M.O.Shteinberg, Head Department - Administration of the Exclusion Zone V.I.Kholosha.

Legal basis for the program

The program is developed in concordance with the Laws of Ukraine “On Legal Regime of a Territory Affected by Radioactive Contamination as a Result of the Chernobyl Catastrophe”, “On Status and Social Protection of Citizens Suffered as a Result of the Chernobyl Catastrophe”, Standards of Radiation Safety in Ukraine, other valid legal acts and based on principal priorities of the draft of “On National Program of Minimization of Consequences of the Chernobyl Catastrophe for 2001-2005 and for Period till 2010”.

Radioecological condition of the Exclusion Zone

The Exclusion Zone has a special role among territories affected by the accident. It is characterized by:

• The highest radionuclides contamination on the land surface,
• Presence of localized radioactive sources (the “Shelter” Object, Radioactive Waste Disposal sites and Radioactive Waste Temporary Localization Sites),
• Formation of part of out-flow of the Dnieper river within the limits of its territory,
• Landscape conditions of Polissya region promoting migration of radionuclides,
• Halting of traditional economic activities.

By assessments of the recent years more than 720·1015 Bq (more than 20 million Ci) of total radionuclides activity from the Chernobyl reactor accident are presented in the Exclusion Zone. In natural systems their quantity reaches 8·1015 Bq; there is almost 13 ·1015 Bq in Radioactive Waste Disposal sites and Radioactive Waste Temporary Localization Sites and there is 700·1015 Bq in the “Shelter” object. Despite of such high stock of radionuclides in the technological and natural complex of the Exclusion Zone their annual transfer out of the borders of the Zone is enough limited. During recent years it is about (0,5 - 3)·10-3 % of stock of natural complex and (1 - 7)·10-7 % of stock of natural and technological complex of the Exclusion Zone (including the “Shelter” object).

So, barrier peculiarities of natural and technological complex of the Exclusion Zone are enough efficient. The level of the safety of the inhabited areas depends directly from their reliability.

All that are defined the special role of the Exclusion Zone in the system of measures on minimization of the consequences of the Chernobyl NPP accident and in concentration of scientific studies with the purpose of optimization of scientific support of that activity.

In this connection the basic tasks of the program are:

• Support of the radiation safety barriers of the Exclusion Zone with the purpose of limitation and gradual diminishing of radionuclides transfer into inhabited areas;
• Reinforcement of safety barriers of the “Shelter” object, sites of the localization of the radioactive waste, water protection constructions, contaminated forests etc., radiation protection of the personnel of the Exclusion Zone;
• Improvement of the legal basis of the activity in the Exclusion Zone.

Medical and hygienic support of the operation in the Exclusion Zone

Workers of the Exclusion Zone, including the “Shelter” object, are the contingent of enhanced risk of loss of health. This risk is conditioned by probability of impact of the ionizing radiation, impact of environmental ecological factors, heavy metals in particular, and psychological stress.

Results of the clinical studies of health condition of workers of the “Shelter” object obtained by the Ukrainian Research Centre of Radiation Medicine, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, testify about enhanced incidence of diseases of nervous, cardiovascular systems, respiratory organs, gastrointestinal tract, osteomuscular and other systems among the personnel.

Unfortunately, scientific clinical and epidemiological studies on assessment and prognosis of health condition of workers of the Exclusion Zone were not completed.

A scientifically substantiated base for accomplishment of medical follow-up, sanitation, rehabilitation of workers of the 30-km Zone around the Chernobyl NPP is not available.

Taking into account everything mentioned above, it is suggested to outline the following points as basic directions of medical and hygienic support of the works in the Exclusion Zone and the Zone of Unconditional (Obligatory) Resettlement:

• clinical and epidemiological studies of health condition and risk factors of diseases among workers of the Exclusion Zone;
• scientific substantiation and development of methodological base for accomplishment of medical follow-up of workers;
• development of an information and analytical system for monitoring of doses and health condition of workers of the Exclusion Zone.

Basic measures for the support of the safety barriers of the Exclusion Zone in concordance with the National Program of Minimization of Consequences of the Chernobyl Catastrophe for 2003-2005 and for the period till 2010

Bulk of radioactive materials from the destroyed reactor and radioactive waste formed during elimination of consequences of the Chernobyl catastrophe remained on the territory of the Exclusion Zone after the Chernobyl NPP accident.

In this connection it is necessary:

• To limit and gradually diminish radionuclides transfer from the territory of the Exclusion Zone by the means of: the reinforcement of the safety barriers of the “Shelter” object, sites of the radioactive waste localization; reinforcement of radiation safety of contaminated forests; support of functioning of the water protection constructions, etc.;
• To strengthen radiation protection of the personnel in the Exclusion Zone;
• To improve legal basis of support of barrier function of the Exclusion Zone.

On the first stage of implementation of the Program the accomplishment of measures is planned as for:

• stabilization of radioecological condition and rehabilitation of the territory of the Exclusion Zone;
• implementation of the ecological-forestry and hydromeliorative measures with the purpose of stabilization of the ecological system of the Exclusion Zone and the Zone of Unconditional (Obligatory) Resettlement;
• subsequent complex study of trend and intensity of processes of migration and redistribution of radionuclides which provide reliability of barrier peculiarities of the Exclusion Zone;
• upgrading of the monitoring system of barrier functions of environmental elements and critical passways of the radionuclides migration out of the limits of the Exclusion Zone;
• minimization of the negative impact of the Exclusion Zone and the Zone of Unconditional (Obligatory) Resettlement on the inhabited territories;
• the improvement of the system of control of the Exclusion Zone functioning using the modern information and computer technologies, support in constant alert condition for a regional component of the single state system of prevention and response on emergencies of technological and natural character;
• development of a necessary legal basis as for condition and principal aspects of functioning of objects of the Exclusion Zone taking into account peculiarities of the legal regime of the Zone.

To improve the system of radioactive waste management in the Exclusion Zone it's necessary to increase barrier peculiarities of the sites of radioactive waste localization:

• to develop a system of extraction, sorting, preparation, containment, temporary stocking and burial of radioactive waste based on the “Vector” complex;
• to classify objects of localization of radioactive waste by a level of danger and development of a system of their protection against external factors impact;
• to create a complete cadastre of radioactive waste;
• to improve and introduce a system of monitoring as to radioactive waste management.

With the purpose of conversion of the “Shelter” object into an ecologically safe system it's necessary:

• to diminish probability of destruction of the “Shelter” object by the way of stabilization of its constructions;
• to diminish consequences of the accident during destruction of the “Shelter”;
• to increase nuclear safety of the “Shelter”;
• to provide medical and hygienic protection of the personnel;
• to undertake long-time measures as for conversion of the “Shelter” object into an ecologically safe system.

Analysis of efficiency and control of their quality will accompany accomplishment of works and studies in the Exclusion Zone, including radioactive waste management. This direction requires working out appropriate methodological documents.

A component of the Program is fulfilment of the Plan of accomplishment of measures on the “Shelter” object about which an agreement is reached among the Great Seven Countries and Ukraine. It is funded in concordance with the Framework Agreement between Ukraine and the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development as for activities of the “Shelter” Chernobyl Foundation in Ukraine ratified by the Law of Ukraine from 04.02.98 No. 80/98-ÂÐ.

Stage-by stage fulfilment of works connected with the decommissioning of the Chernobyl NPP should be agreed with appropriate sections of the National Program and their scientific support - with this Complex Program.

The main priorities of the scientific research in the Exclusion Zone.

No.	Description of a task	Expected final results	Term of development, years
1	Improvement of a system of complex monitoring of the Exclusion Zone and scientific support of monitoring of the Exclusion Zone, Polygon research	Methods, procedures and regulation of monitoring, presentation of analytical reports on the constant basis as for radiation condition of the Exclusion Zone for decisions making.	2004-2010
2	Development of modern models of the radionuclides migration in different media - ecosystems, soil-plant systems, soils, geological environment, surface water systems.	Modern models of migration of radionuclides in different media for assessment and prognosis of condition of the ecosystem of the Exclusion Zone.	2004-2008
3	Study of the migration (passways, flows) and redistribution of radionuclides in basic landscapes of the Exclusion Zone, study of critical ways of migration of radionuclides in the Exclusion Zone and out of its borders.	The Single State Registry of data bases for assessment of migration of the radionuclides	2004-2010
4	Scientific support of works on stabilization and reinforcement of barrier peculiarities of the natural and natural-technological systems.	Prognosis of flows of the radionuclides out of the borders of the Exclusion Zone. A system of measures on reinforcement of barrier functions of the Exclusion Zone as for radiological, sanitary-epidemiological and ecological safety.	2004-2010
5	Comprehensive mapping of the Exclusion Zone landscapes.	Polyscale maps of the Exclusion Zone	2004-2010
6	Studies as for resolution of the problem of elimination of the cooling pond of the Chernobyl NPP.	Plan of measures as for elimination of the cooling pond.	2004-2006
7	Assessment of radiological impact to the Environment of the complex distributed long-life technological source of the radionuclides formed as result of the decommissioning of the Chernobyl NPP.	Assessment and the long-time radioecological prognosis of impact of the abovementioned source on the radioecological situation inside the Zone and at the adjacent territories.	2004-2010
8	Scientific support of the radioactive waste management.	Diminishing of risks of impact of the radioactive waste in the Exclusion Zone and the Zone of Unconditional (Obligatory) Resettlement on the environment.	2004-2010
9	Studies with the purpose of improvement of project decisions and scientific and technological support of establishment and exploitation of the "Vector" complex.	Development of a system of extraction, sorting, preparation, containment, temporary preservation of the radioactive waste on the basis of the "Vector" complex.	2004-2010
10	Studies on substantiation of establishment of a central repository of geological type for isolation of a high level radioactive waste.	Complex study of directions and intensity of processes of migration, redistribution of the radionuclides on spot of a repository.	2004-2010
11	Scientific support of works on complex rehabilitation of the radiation dangerous territories, development of measures as for establishment of a single system of objects of natural reserves fund.	Plan of measures as for stabilization of radioecological condition and rehabilitation of the territory of the Exclusion Zone.	2004-2010
12	Analysis of potential sources of risk and prognosis of emergencies in the Exclusion Zone and their consequences, scientific support of measures as for risk prevention and elimination of emergencies in the Exclusion Zone.	Development of a regional component of the single state system of prevention and response on emergencies of technological and natural character.	2004-2010
13	Study of effects of long-time impact of low radiation doses on genetic changes of flora and fauna in the Exclusion Zone.	Development of measures as for minimization of delayed effects of impact of negative factors of the Chernobyl catastrophe.	2004-2010
14	Scientific support of decisions making system in the Exclusion Zone taking into account ecological and economic situation.	Improvement of the decision support system in the Exclusion Zone.	2004-2006
15	Scientific support of monitoring of doses of external and internal irradiation of the personnel of the Exclusion Zone and medical and sanitarian provision of health protection.	Methodological basis for medical follow-up. Improvement of medical and sanitarian protection of personnel.	2004-2010
16	Scientific support of works as for improvement of information and analytical systems of the Exclusion Zone, establishment and introduction of new standards into the practice.	Establishment of information and analytical subsystems in the Exclusion Zone at a new legislation base.	2004-2010