Radiation conditions along the perimeter and near the Russian Science Center Kurchatov Institute

Abstract

The results of measurements of the dose rate from γ radiation along the perimeter, at operating gates, and near the grounds of the Russian Science Center Kurchatov Institute are presented. The computed dose isolines for actual radionuclide emissions from the exhaust stacks of the Institute's objects are presented. The results show that the observed levels are identical to the analogous levels on average over Moscow. This shows that living next to Kurchatov Institute is no more dangerous than in any other region of Moscow.A large nuclear-type research object -the Russian Science Center Kurchatov Institute -has been operating within the Moscow city limits since 1943. The Institute is located in Moscow's northwest administrative district near the metro station Oktyabrskoe Pole. In addition to the main site (about 100 ha), the Institute possesses an auxiliary site (about 4 ha) between the Oktyabr stadium part (Zhivopisnaya St.) and the mouth of the Sobolevskii brook, which flows into the Moscow river. The object located on this site is called the Gazovyi Zavod.Research nuclear reactors with thermal power from several to tens of thousands of kW(t) operated at the Institute for many years. Some of them (F-1, OR, IR-8, and others) are still operating. Together with reactors, stands of nuclear critical assemblies, cyclotrons and other charged-particle accelerators, experimental laboratories, and facilities using sources ionizing radiation were built at the Institute.The operation of such facilities inevitably raises questions of protection from their direct radiation, gas-aerosol and liquid discharge emissions, and collection and removal of solid radioactive wastes. It is important to provide radiological protection to the staff working at the facilities as well as to people living in the surrounding region.Screens (concrete, metal, water jackets) were used as protection from direct radiation; high-level facilities were placed in deep, hermetic, foundation pits below ground level. Liquid radioactive wastes were directed through a special drainage system to a special water purification plant located near the mouth of Sobolevskii brook. The gas-aerosol emissions were decontaminated by multistep systems of rough-and fine-purification filters using Petryanov cloth (Fig. 1).Since the question of liquid wastes was solved, we shall dwell in greater detail on the removal of solid radioactive wastes, gas-aerosol emission, and the equivalent dose rate of γ radiation around the Institute.Prior to the beginning of the 1970s, radioactive wastes were collected in hermetic underground repositories on an organized temporary storage site. In 1974, the wastes started to be removed to a site of the Moscow Scientific and Industrial