The article provides the assessment of the quality of life of the population resident at the radioactively contaminated areas of the Yemilchyno, Malyn, Korosten, Narodychi, Olevsk, Luhyny and Ovruch raions of the Zhytomyr region. The basis for the study and assessment of the quality of life of the population of radioactively contaminated administrative raions of the Zhytomyr region were the statistical data of the Main Directorate of Statistics in Zhytomyr Region, the Health Directorate of Zhytomyr Region State Administration, as well as our own results of a sociological survey. It was established that for the period between 2002 and 2018, the population of radioactively contaminated areas decreased by 24.7% (maximum values are representative of Malyn and Korosten raions). Natural population decline rates in rural settlements exceeded the corresponding values for urban settlements from 1.4 (Malyn raion) to 13 times (Olevsk raion). There is also the aging of the population, the largest share of the elderly (65 years old and older) - 21.7% and 20.8% are resident in the Korosten and Narodychi raions. The values of birth rates (7.5 (Ovruch raion) - 13 (Olevsk raion) per 1,000 of present population) did not have a positive effect on the demographic situation as a whole because of the high mortality rate exceeding the birth rate by 1.1 (Olevsk raion) - 2.9 times (Malyn raion). The main causes of death are diseases of the circulatory system (75.4%), cancer (10%) and external factors (7.3%). It was noted that there is a deterioration of the health of the local population; they pointed out that diseases related to the ChNPP accident include cardiovascular diseases, diseases of the circulatory, nervous and endocrine systems, diseases of bones and joints, headaches. The living conditions of the population resident at the radioactively contaminated areas of Zhytomyr region are unsatisfactory, which is confirmed by both objective data and subjective assessments of the residents themselves. The housing stock is outdated and it needs renovation. In order to improve the quality of life of the population of radioactively contaminated territories in the Zhytomyr region, it is necessary to reform the state policy, to provide financial support for their revival and creation of normal living and reproduction conditions for the population.

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We performed an assessment of demographic parameters of occurrence of malignant tumours and mortality of the population which lives in the radioactive contaminated territory of Zhytomyr Oblast (Yemilchynskyi, Luhynskyi, Narodytskyi, Korostenskyi, Olevskyi, and Ovrutskyi districts) over a 32-year period (1985–2017). The source material for the study of the demographic situation and malignant tumours in the population of the radioactive contaminated administrative districts of Zhytomyr Oblast during 1985–2017 was the statistical data of the Management of Healthcare of Zhytomyr Oblast State Administration, Central Department of Statistics in Zhytomyr Oblasts, reports on occurrences of malignant tumours of the state institution Center of Medical Statistics of the Ministry of Healthcare of Ukraine, data of the Radiological Control Service in Zhytomyr Oblast. It was determined that over 1985–2017 in the radioactive contaminated territory of Zhytomyr Oblast, a natural decline of population was observed, maximum values of which occurred in 2005 (except Narodnytsky district – 2000). The highest levels of occurrence of tumours and mortality caused by them among the adult population were observed 14 years after the Chornobyl nuclear power plant disaster. The peak of the occurrence of malignant tumours among children in the radioactive contaminated territory of Zhytomyr Oblast was observed 9 years after the explosion. A relationship was determined between doses of irradiation of the population and the risk of occurrence of malignant tumours in the radioactive contaminated regions of Zhytomyr Oblast. Taking into account that the method of calculation of passport dose (average annual effective dose of irradiation) was developed 23 years ago, nowadays it can lead to errors. This is related to change in amounts of consumption of different products by the population, which needs to be considered when determining radiological risks. The obtained data indicate that analysis of demographic and onco-epidemiological consequences of the Chornobyl catastrophe remains a relevant issue nowadays and will remain so in the near future.

The research was conducted within the territories of rural settlements of Zhytomyr region. A total of 72 sources of non-centralized water supply were surveyed. Water quality was assessed by physical and chemical (pH, iron total, total water hardness) and toxicological (nitrites, nitrates, and ammonium) indicators, the content of which was compared with the norms given in the State Sanitary Regulations and Standards 2.2.4-171-10 “Hygienic Requirements for Drinking Water Intended for Human Consumption.” The assessment of drinking water quality was carried out in accordance with DSTU (National Standards of Ukraine) 4808:2007 and with the water quality index (WQI). It was found that the largest deviations from the norm among toxicological indicators were observed for nitrates – 63.9%. In terms of water quality classes according to DSTU 4808:2007, drinking water from sources of non-centralized water supply of villages showed the following distribution: 2.8% of the samples belonged to class 1 (excellent water quality), 72.2% to class 2, and 25% to class 3. According to WQI, 16.7% of the examined sources of non-centralized water supply had excellent water, 63.9% had good water, and 19.4% had poor water. Despite the fact that the water from the investigated sources of non-centralized water supply was of acceptable quality, it is impotable due to the excessive nitrate content. The results obtained show that there is a need for monitoring of drinking water quality from the sources of non-centralized water supply, especially in rural settlements that are not provided with centralized water supply.

Rural residential area is a complex and multifunctional system which is currently in crisis. Environmental problems of rural settlements are caused by the fact that agriculture has been intensive for a long time, which results in pollution of soil, food and drinking water by various chemical pollutants. In addition, the Chornobyl accident has made a significant contribution to the environmental situation in Ukrainian villages. The demographic situation is also catastrophic. According to the General Directorate of Statistics, in rural areas, the number of population and birth rate are decreasing compared to cities, while the mortality rate is rising.Water is an integral part of a safe and healthy life. It is known that the health status of the population and its morbidity depend on water quality. Mostly, rural settlements do not have centralized water supply, and therefore their population consumes water from sources of non-centralized water supply: wells, bores, underground sources, etc. Monitoring study of such sources indicates that the drinking water is not in compliance with organoleptic, sanitary, chemical and bacteriological quality indicators. Above-limit values of such indicators as nitrates, nitrites, total iron, sulphates, chlorides, etc. are particularly common.Currently, private farms are located in rural settlements or are adjacent to them; they often do not meet the requirements for the application of fertilizers and plant protection products, which leads to contamination of soil, vegetables and groundwater by toxic substances, in particular nitrates 1 . Furthermore, the owners and users of private plots do not know or neglect the rules of farm management, including the maintenance and location of wells and bores 2 .1 Ecological assessment of vegetable products grown in the city of Zhytomyr and its residential suburb / R. Valerko et al.