Problems of radiation safety during mass events: comparative analysis of domestic and foreign experience

Abstract

Ensuring radiation safety during international mass events is a complex state task that affects not only the health of participants, but also the reputation of the host country. An analysis of the literature confirms the continuing risks of radiation terrorism, the most likely scenario of which is the use of a dirty bomb. The purpose of the study is to systematize and classify the problems of radiation safety based on a comparative analysis of domestic and foreign experience. Materials and Methods: Official reports of the Olympic Games organizers (London, 2012; Sochi, 2014), the Pan American Games (2007), the Universiade (Kazan, 2013), the FIFA World Cup (2018), the IAEA guidelines and analytical publications. Results and Discussion: A classification of problems has been developed, including organizational and managerial (underestimation of requirements at the design stage), technical (false alarms of sensors) and interdepartmental (inconsistency of actions) categories. The positive dynamics of interagency cooperation in Russia has been revealed: from the scattered actions in Kazan to the multi-level security structures in Sochi and at the 2018 World Cup. It has been established that the main objects of operation of radiation monitoring systems are cargoes with natural radionuclides and patients after medical procedures, which requires different response algorithms. Conclusion:  The proposed classification serves as a scientific and methodological basis for creating universal requirements for radiation monitoring at mass events. The research prospects are related to the development of standard control schemes for different facilities.