Joint with Foreign Partners Research Projects and Programs of the Institute

Page Contents

Participation in the Global Laboratory Leadership Project (GLLP) (2022-2024) with the WHO Office in Ukraine
Participation in the project “Assessment of the Impact of Social Distancing During the Pandemic on Physical Activity and Well-being” (2020-2024)
Participation in the project “Conducting a joint study of the development and prevalence of eating disorders in children under the stress of the war in Ukraine” (2023)
Participation in developing the National Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare Action Plan as the next step after the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) with the support of the WHO (2022)
Participation in the Joint External Evaluation process, the self-assessment stage of Ukraine (WHO) (2021)
Participation in the project “Establishing patterns of air pollution by suspended dust particles with a diameter of up to 10 microns” (2017-2019)
Participation in the project “Strengthening Capacities for Sound Management of Biocides (Pesticides and Disinfectants) to Reduce Population Exposure in Ukraine” (2017-2018) with the support of UNEP and WHO
Participation in the project “Development of Subregional Institutional Cooperation in the Health Protection Sphere to Strengthen Capabilities and Exchange Information to Solve the Problems of Dangerous Chemicals that Influence Health in Belarus and Ukraine” (2017-2018)
Participation in the BELUGA project (2017-2018)
Participation in the IRINE project (2017-2018)
Participation in the Global Adolescent Tobacco Survey (GATS) (2017)
Participation in the project “Study of the Impact of Ukrainian Tobacco Control Legislation on Mortality and Cardiovascular Disease” (2017)
Participation in the project “Establishment of a Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Occupational and Environmental Medicine” (2012-2015)
Participation in the project on the Global Assessment and Analysis of Sanitation and Drinking Water in Ukraine for 2013-2014 (GLAAS)
Participation in the project “Hygienic evaluation of the use of the mineral and vitamin complex VITACOR JUNIOR by gymnasium students” (October 2012 – May 2013)
Participation in the project “School Environment and Respiratory Health of Children” (SEARCH II) (2010-2013)
Participation in the project “Assessment of Radiation Risk of Radon Hospital Employees and Substantiation of Ways to Reduce It” (2011-2013)
Participation in the project “Dosimetric support of studies of the bronchopulmonary system of persons exposed to radon-222 in residential air” (2012)
Participation in the international program “Tobacco-Free Europe” (2010-2012)
Participation in the project “Perception of Radiation Risks by the Population of Ukraine” (2009-2011)
Participation in the project “Substantiation of reduction of natural radionuclides intake into the human body and the environment at uranium facilities” (2007-2010)
Participation in the project “Scientific substantiation of the specific activity of disinfectants produced by Ecolab (USA-Germany)” (2009)
Participation in the development of “Methodological guidelines for determining the antimicrobial activity of disinfectants and antiseptics” (harmonization with EU standards)” (2008)

1. Participation in the Global Laboratory Leadership Project (GLLP) (2022-2024) with the WHO Office in Ukraine

The consortium consists of the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), and World Health Organization (WHO).

Participation in working meetings to prepare the implementation of the Global Laboratory Leadership Program in Ukraine. Issues related to selecting program participants, mentors, and instructors were discussed. The content of the curriculum was discussed in detail. During 2023, more than seven online meetings were held to discuss the Global Laboratory Leadership Program; the Institute participated in selecting participants from Ukraine, and the staff of the Institute acted as mentors for participants. Head of the Laboratory of Sanitary Microbiology and Disinfectology, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Olena Surmasheva, was selected as a mentor for the GLLP program.

Participation in the Program will facilitate the involvement of cross-sectoral partnership models in addressing the issues of the World Laboratory Leadership Program in the area of ONE HEALTH.

2. Participation in the project “Assessment of the Impact of Social Distancing During the Pandemic on Physical Activity and Well-being” (2020-2024)

Together with the University of Surrey, UK, an assessment of the population’s adaptation to prolonged social distancing during the pandemic was carried out.

Objectives:

Assessment of physical activity (type, intensity, and duration) of people in conditions of forced social distancing, as well as the ratio of physical activity and sedentary behavior.
Assessment of the level of reactive anxiety.
Determination of the peculiarities of the influence of physical activity on reactive anxiety and the relationship between stress and physical activity.
Development of measures to prevent the negative consequences of social isolation.

The study analyzed 1370 questionnaires from 45 countries, obtained by sharing the link to the survey on social media, and another 625 questionnaires from participants who applied to medical centers in the UK for genetic analysis. A total of 553 men and 1412 women over 18 (85.2% of European descent) participated in the study. It was found that 34.8% (n=704) of the study participants were in self-isolation at the time of the survey. Only 76.5% (n=1549) of the respondents complied with quarantine measures, and 23.5% (n=476) did not comply with quarantine conditions. It was found that the level of situational anxiety did not depend on quarantine compliance (p > 0.7) but increased with self-isolation (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the level of physical activity between participants who were/were not in self-isolation (p>0.8), as well as between those who complied with quarantine conditions and those who did not (p>0.5). Technical and scientific issues related to the project were regularly discussed at working group meetings and conferences organized by the University of Surrey coordinator on the ZOOM platform (https://surrey-ac.zoom.us). A total of 10 such discussions were held.

2023:

The results of the POSEIDON-PHACT study became the basis for planning recommendations for different population groups and executive authorities during the quarantine implementation. When planning future quarantine measures, it was proposed to pay attention to the introduction of psychological support for vulnerable groups and those in self-isolation, with the involvement of healthcare professionals in the process of developing and implementing measures, as well as to be adaptive in the implementation of quarantine measures with a mandatory focus on conducting information campaigns on the importance of physical activity to maintain good mental and physical health.

The findings were presented at a conference dedicated to World Health Day 2023 and the 75th anniversary of WHO, and a positive response from the medical community was received. The abstracts of the report were published in the journal Wiadomości lekarskie. The article is currently being finalized. During the year, five working meetings were held online.

3. Participation in the project “Conducting a joint study of the development and prevalence of eating disorders in children under the stress of the war in Ukraine” (2023)

together with the University of Helsinki (Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Helsinki), Finland. A standardized questionnaire for parents and guardians of children was developed following international requirements. It has been found that military stress has a significant impact on children’s eating behavior and changes in body composition and depends on their location in the context of military events. Body composition disorders are mainly associated with eating disorders, and only 24.20% of cases are related to insufficient food availability. It was found that most of the identified eating disorders (53.85%) are a short-term reaction to stress. Long-term disorders (43.15%) can lead to the formation of persistent unhealthy eating habits. The findings open up prospects for further research to identify specific health risks for children associated with eating disorders in the context of military stress. The experience gained can also be used in further research to develop nutritional correction measures and recommendations to reduce eating disorders in school-age children during war or other emergencies. Five meetings in Zoom format, two joint reports at conferences, and two publications on the topic were performed.

4. Participation in developing the National Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare Action Plan as the next step after the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) with the support of the WHO (2022)

Participation in working meetings to discuss the results of the JEE and the development of the National Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare Action Plan as the next step after the Joint External Evaluation (JEE).

5. Participation in the Joint External Evaluation process, the self-assessment stage of Ukraine (WHO) (2021)

With the support of the WHO, the staff of the State Institution “Marzieiev Institute for Public Health of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine” worked on the self-assessment stage of the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) process, which aims to assess the country’s capacity to detect, prevent and respond to all public health emergencies of any origin.

Participated in the Joint External Evaluation of the implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) in Ukraine under the following IHR sections:

Coordination, communication, and advocacy on IHR issues;
Antimicrobial resistance;
Food safety;
Biosafety and biosecurity;
National Laboratory Network;
Human resources;
Interaction between health and safety authorities;
Risk communication;
Chemical threats;
Crossing points;
Radiation threats.

Throughout the year, the materials were discussed at working group meetings (June 14-16, August 2-6, November 29-December 3, 2021), the JEE manual was completed, and active participation in other relevant activities was encouraged.

On-site meetings were scheduled during the international JEE experts’ stay in Ukraine. In particular, on December 2, 2021, the external experts visited the State Institution “Marzieiev Institute for Public Health of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine.”

The Institute’s staff received a Certificate of Appreciation from the World Health Organization (WHO) Office in Ukraine for participating in the Joint External Evaluation at the country’s self-assessment phase from March 30 to October 1, 2021.

6. Participation in the project “Establishing patterns of air pollution by suspended dust particles with a diameter of up to 10 microns” (2017-2019)

Jointly with the Joint Research Center of the EU (Ispra, Italy), implemented within the framework of the HORIZONT 2020 program, ERA-Planet. The study was carried out within the framework of the HORIZONT 2020 program, ERA-Planet (a scientific project of the targeted research program of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine “Aerospace Observation of the Environment” for sustainable development and security as a national segment of the assessment of air pollution by aerosol particulate matter (PM¹⁰ / PM^2,5) and ozone (O₃) in terms of determining the mass concentration of the corresponding substance at the stationary monitoring point of PM¹⁰ and PM^2,5 and O₃ using a mobile medical and ecological laboratory. It is proved that the measurement materials and results can be used to determine the relevant risks to human health and to create information warnings by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the Ministry of Ecology and Environmental Protection (regarding the danger of the existing level of pollution of environmental objects by industrial emissions and vehicles), the Kyiv City State Administration, and local governments.

7. Participation in the project “Strengthening Capacities for Sound Management of Biocides (Pesticides and Disinfectants) to Reduce Population Exposure in Ukraine” (2017-2018) with the support of UNEP and WHO

The main objective was to strengthen Ukraine’s national capacity to ensure the safe use and production of certain groups of biocides, particularly pesticides and disinfectants, throughout their life cycle. The work resulted in the publication of a situational profile on biocide management, “National Review of the Current Situation in the Biocides (Pesticides and Disinfectants) Management in Ukraine”; the draft National Action Plan for the Implementation of Safe Biocide Management was developed; a one-day workshop was held to discuss the National Action Plan; to harmonize the national legislation on biocides regulation with international agreements and in accordance with the best results of practical application, proposals were developed to revise the national legislation regulating the management of biocides (pesticides and disinfectants); for the first time in Ukraine, proposals were developed to improve the collection and exchange of information, including information on environmental and health hazards, classification and labeling (using on-line information sources).

8. Participation in the project “Development of Subregional Institutional Cooperation in the Health Protection Sphere to Strengthen Capabilities and Exchange Information to Solve the Problems of Dangerous Chemicals that Influence Health in Belarus and Ukraine” (2017-2018)

with the support of the United Nations (UNEP) and WHO. Based on the results, the National Review summarizes information on the distribution, peculiarities of endocrine disruptors effects on the body, the best international practices of endocrine disruptors regulation in the world, the spread of diseases that endocrine disruptors can potentially cause, the legal framework regulating the circulation of endocrine disruptors in Ukraine; proposals for further research on the problem of endocrine disruptors and their regulation in Ukraine are provided.

9. Participation in the BELUGA project (2017-2018)

together with the Karolinska Institute of Environmental Medicine (Stockholm, Sweden) to create an international scientific consortium of experts from Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus, and implement methods for assessing the impact of air pollution on public health. Online conferences were held to discuss health and environmental issues in Sweden, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Belarus, and Ukraine regarding the impact of air pollution on public health and research in environmental epidemiology and to find joint solutions to minimize the effect of air pollution from stationary and mobile sources and noise. The issues of developing research priorities and indicators were discussed.

10. Participation in the IRINE project (2017-2018)

with the support of the World Allergy Organization, within which a seminar was organized and held: “Harmonization of Pollen Identification” with the participation of the Immunology Research Institute Of New England.

11. Participation in the Global Adolescent Tobacco Survey (GATS) (2017)

in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (Atlanta, USA) – Linda Anton (Office of Tobacco Control and Health, CDC). Carried out surveys, collected data, and processed results.

12. Participation in the project “Study of the Impact of Ukrainian Tobacco Control Legislation on Mortality and Cardiovascular Disease” (2017)

supported by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, Denmark, Copenhagen, a study of the impact of Ukrainian legislation on the implementation of strategic management in the interests of health and well-being was carried out. Goal: To improve the database for public activities to prevent and control non-communicable diseases. Objectives: To assess the impact of the Ukrainian legislation on tobacco control on smoking prevalence in adults and cardiovascular disease and associated mortality incidence. Data on morbidity and mortality from major chronic non-communicable diseases were collected and processed.

13. Participation in the project “Establishment of a Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Occupational and Environmental Medicine” (2012-2015)

in cooperation with the National Institutes of Health, Fogarty International Center (USA), Center for World Health, University of Illinois at Chicago. The following steps were taken to implement the project objectives: participation in teleconferences, discussion of priority ecological safety issues in terms of health impact (methodological support for the activities of state SES in terms of health impact by areas, assessment of the effects of anthropogenically altered environment on public health). Analytical and summarized reports following the project objectives and critical project implementation data on the global environmental impact on public health and discussion of priority ecological safety issues related to health impact were prepared. A working meeting was held on May 29, 2013, on the establishment of the Interdisciplinary Center for Global Environmental and Occupational Health Impacts in Ukraine and an analytical report, “Environmental Health in Ukraine: Environmental Health Action Plan and Research Policy.” Within the framework of the VI International Forum “Integrated Laboratory Support,” on October 15-17, 2013, the round tables “National Action Plan on Environment and Children’s Health” and “Assessment of the Risk to Public Health from Air Pollution” were prepared and held. The participants discussed the development of the National Action Plan on Environment and Children’s Health and environmental issues at the current stage of society development.

During 2014, the Institution’s specialists participated in teleconferences and workshops, prepared reports and analytical materials on participation in the project, summarized materials following the project objectives and the primary project data on global environmental impact on public health, and discussed priority issues of ecological safety of health impacts at a roundtable, developed proposals for an action plan on the environment and children’s health. At a working meeting in February 2014, we discussed the Interdisciplinary Center for Global Environmental and Occupational Health Impacts activities in Ukraine.

On June 19, 2014, we participated in the working meeting “Energy Security and Human Health Protection” together with representatives of the University of Illinois (USA), Nofer Research Institute of Occupational Medicine (Lodz, Poland), the Institute of Occupational Health of Serbia, the National Cancer Center of Belarus. We prepared a report “Scientific approaches to the hygienic assessment of electric and thermal energy facilities (power and heat plants)” and “Consequences of energy poverty (e.g., insufficient heating or insufficient fuel for cooking; indoor air pollutants). Implications for maternal and child health”, “The relationship between children’s health and indoor air quality in schools.” On October 2, 2014, at the scientific and practical conference with international participation, “Health and Environment” held in Belarus, Minsk at the “Scientific and Practical Center of Hygiene” we presented the reports on the forms of implementation of the assessment of the risk to public health from air pollution in Ukraine, health protection of children and adolescents, organization of the educational process in secondary schools and hygienic aspects of educational facilities in schools. In October-November 2014, within the framework of the International Medical Forum (October 2014) and the Marzieiev Readings (October 2014), reports were prepared on the following topics: “Problems of preserving children’s health from the impact of environmental factors during education,” “Environment and children: problems of preserving schoolchildren’s health,” “Energy security and public health.” The discussion was held on developing the National Action Plan on Environment and Children’s Health and environmental issues at the current stage of society’s development. Throughout the year, the Institution’s specialists actively participated in Skype conferences and joint meetings to discuss and improve the planning of joint scientific developments on medical ecology, occupational medicine, etc.

A collection of scientific papers of the staff of the Institute is prepared for publication “Environment. Ecology. Health” (2014) with the support of the University of Illinois (USA). The prominent scientific publications on ecology and hygiene in Ukraine for publication in the journal “Environment & Health” are constantly prepared, in particular, those devoted to the problems of environmental protection and health, children’s health disorders due to environmental pollution, quantitative assessments of the risk to public health of air pollution caused by industrial emissions, etc. The articles analyze the scientific literature on energy security and health and identify the most relevant aspects to be addressed in Ukraine at the current stage of industrial development.

In 2015, the consortium (institutes of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine – Institute of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Hygiene and Medical Ecology, Institute of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology) completed the GEOHealth Hub project funded by the Fogarty International Foundation (National Institutes of Health (USA)), (2013-2015). The activities of this Center include participation in international meetings with EU representatives and discussion of future cooperation. Scientific papers have been developed and published. The prominent scientific publications on ecology and hygiene in Ukraine for publication in the journal “Environment & Health” are constantly prepared, in particular, those devoted to the problems of environmental protection and health, children’s health disorders due to environmental pollution, quantitative assessments of the risk to public health of air pollution caused by industrial emissions, etc.

The following documents were drafted:

The Draft Law of Ukraine “On Strategic Environmental Policy,” developed to implement Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of June 27, 2001, on the assessment of the effects of specific plans and programs on the environment;
“On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On the Basic Principles (Strategy) of the State Environmental Policy of Ukraine for the Period up to 2020”;
Draft Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine “On Approval of the Concept of Reforming the State Environmental Monitoring System”;
Draft Order of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine “On Approval of Technological Standards for Permissible Emissions of Pollutants from Equipment (Plant) for Lime Production in Rotary Kilns with Production Capacity exceeding 50 tons per day or in Other Kilns with Production Capacity exceeding 50 tons per day”;
Draft Order of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine “On Approval of Technological Standards for Permissible Emissions of Pollutants from Equipment (Plant) for the Production of Cast Iron, the Capacity of which exceeds 2.5 tons per hour”;
Draft Order of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine “On Approval of Technological Standards for Permissible Emissions of Pollutants from Equipment (Plant) for Steel Production (Primary and Secondary Smelting), Including Continuous Casting, with a Capacity of More Than 2.5 tons per hour (Gas-Oxygen Steel Refining Plants)”;
Draft Order of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine “On Approval of Technological Standards for Permissible Emissions of Pollutants from Equipment (Plant) for Steel Production (Primary and Secondary Smelting), including Continuous Casting, with a Capacity of More Than 2.5 tons per hour (Oxygen Converters)”;
Proposals for draft recommendations on environmental monitoring in fire-prone areas;
Appeal to Kyiv Mayor W. Klitschko on improving the monitoring of air pollution in Kyiv.

Participation in the preparation of the following international documents: “Clean Air” for the 2016 Environment for Europe Conference (UNECE); Communications and Public Health Messages for Ambient Air Pollution (WHO).

14. Participation in the project on the Global Assessment and Analysis of Sanitation and Drinking Water in Ukraine for 2013-2014 (GLAAS)

a UN initiative being implemented by WHO. The issue of drinking water safety and quality has been studied at the Institute for many years. The “Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking Water Supply (GLAAS) in Ukraine” results for 2013-2014 were presented for the first time among 86 countries. The materials are available on the website https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/139735/9789241508087_eng.pdf?sequence=1; External Support Agency Highlights: https://www.who.int/teams/environment-climate-change-and-health/water-sanitation-and-health/monitoring-and-evidence/wash-systems-monitoring/un-water-global-analysis-and-assessment-of-sanitation-and-drinking-water/2013-2014-cycle/external-support-agency-highlights. The High-Level Meeting discussed sanitation and drinking water (Oslo, Norway, May 6-7, 2015). The materials of the High-Level Meeting are presented in the Protocol on Water and Health publication. Practical approaches to drinking-water quality surveillance (meeting report) // WHO Regional Office for Europe: WHO Publications. – Copenhagen, 2015. – P. 28) and on the official WHO website: https://www.who.int/.

15. Participation in the project “Hygienic evaluation of the use of the mineral and vitamin complex VITACOR JUNIOR by gymnasium students” (October 2012 – May 2013)

in cooperation with the Dr. Rath Education Services B.V. (USA, California). According to the results of the study among 69 school-age children – gymnasium students who took the Vitacor Junior mineral and vitamin complex for seven months, the following positive changes were found: a decrease in acute morbidity, an increase in the functional state of the cardiorespiratory system according to the Skibinsky index; a reduction in diastolic blood pressure and heart rate at rest; an increase in the functional state of the muscular system according to the hand muscle strength (p<0.05-0.001). There are positive tendencies to increase adaptation and reserve capacities and well-being. Among 34 children of the control group during the study period, a decrease in the functional state of the respiratory system by the index of the vital index was established (p<0.05). There are trends toward reducing the adaptation and reserve capabilities of the body, well-being, and an increase in acute morbidity. In both groups, reliable indicators of improvement in the average score of children’s academic performance were obtained. However, among children of the leading observation group, the increase in score concerns a more significant number of academic disciplines (7) compared to the control group (4). The above allows us to recommend the Vitacor Junior mineral and vitamin complex for children’s nutrition. The article was prepared: “Hygienic evaluation of vitamin and mineral complex Vitacor Junior.”

16. Participation in the project “School Environment and Respiratory Health of Children” (SEARCH II) (2010-2013)

The schools were selected for the survey by specialists from Hungary and the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe. Questionnaires were translated. Approaches to carry out the survey in the selected schools were investigated. Methods of carrying out monitoring studies were mastered. At the end of 2011, the second phase of the international project “School Environment and Respiratory Health of Children” (SEARCH II) was launched, involving 10 European countries, including Ukraine. The project aims to identify the relationship between the respiratory health of primary school pupils and the air quality in classrooms.

Ten schools in different districts of Kyiv were selected to implement the project. In each school, four primary school classes were selected: two third and two fourth grades (pupils aged 8-11 years, number: 100 pupils per school).

The study consisted of the following main parts:

Assessment of primary school pupils’ exposure to pollutants in classrooms.
- Monitoring the state of air pollution inside classrooms.
- Research of the school building features and its location. Energy and electricity consumption of schools.
- Characterization of pupils’ home environment.
Assessment of children’s respiratory health.
Analyzing and identifying connections.

During the heating season of 2012 (February – April), field studies were conducted in ten schools. A passive sampling method was used to monitor air pollution in classrooms during the educational process with the determination of the concentrations of formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene), and nitrogen dioxide, as well as an active sampling method to determine fine dust of 10 microns (PM¹⁰ ), CO, CO₂ and microclimate parameters (temperature and humidity). Additionally, we surveyed pupils and parents and collected information on school and classroom decoration, electricity, and school energy consumption. The received and collected data were processed and sent to Hungary to generalize and identify connections between the schools of the ten participating countries. As a result, an Expert Workshop on Comfort Assessment and Energy Audit was held in Szentendre, Hungary, on October 14-15, 2012, to discuss the results of the ten participating countries and recommendations for improving the comfort of schoolchildren and energy and electricity consumption in schools.

At the final stage of the project (2012-2013), the survey data was analyzed, and a summary of the chemical pollution of school premises, schoolchildren’s health, and energy consumption was made. Over all the years of implementation, 40 classrooms in ten schools in Kyiv were monitored for air pollution and comfort assessment; spirometry studies were conducted for 673 primary school pupils; 687 questionnaires were filled out by parents of the pupils involved in the project. For each of the ten schools, energy consumption was determined, and data on building and classroom parameters were collected and analyzed; the results were summarized, and recommendations for the project report in Ukraine were formed; the main goals, objectives and preliminary results of the project were presented to school management; the final meeting of the SEARCH II project countries was held at the 13th annual Green Week conference, June 05-07, 2013 (Brussels, Belgium); drafts of the final report and e-newsletter were received from the developers for review and submission of recommendations, comments, and suggestions by the Ukrainian side. The findings will be used to develop recommendations for Ukrainian schools to assess pupils’ comfort in classrooms, finish work inside school buildings, and improve classroom temperature control.

17. Participation in the project “Assessment of Radiation Risk of Radon Hospital Employees and Substantiation of Ways to Reduce It” (2011-2013)

Together with the Swedish Radiation Protection Agency (SSI), regional pilot courses on Radon and anti-radon measures for practical services of the SES were tested (three seminars were held with specialists of local services on the organization of public education, as well as practical classes on measuring Radon in the air at the Odesa Regional Sanitary and Epidemiological Station). Three seminars were held in Odesa and Kirovohrad: Presentation of radon risk maps of the Savransky district of Odesa region; Courses “Mapping of Radon Risks” and “Anti-Radon Measures” in Kirovohrad; Joint expedition for field measurements on Radon risk mapping in Kirovograd district; Work plan for 2013 was developed (discussed at the working meeting in Sweden). A book on Radon was translated and published, similar to the Swedish book. Five training courses (TC) on Radon and anti-radon measures for healthcare workers and local authorities were developed, carried out, and tested in pilot regions of Odesa and Kirovohrad, namely:

TC-1 “Radon-basic”;
TC-2 “Radon Measurements”;
TC-3 “Radon Risk Mapping”;
TC-4 “Radon in water”;
TC-5 “Anti-radon measures.”

Radon risk maps were created for the pilot region of the Savransky district in the Odesa oblast. The maps were handed over to the Savransky District Sanitary and Epidemiological Service and the local administration. The data contained:

data collection for the radon risk map (geological, epidemiological, demographic data), 2010;
long-term radon measurements, winter 2010-2011;
radon measurements in soils, summer 2010 and 2012;
data analysis and creation of a radon risk map in 2012;
presentation of results and publication of materials, 2012-2013.

18. Participation in the project “Dosimetric support of studies of the bronchopulmonary system of persons exposed to radon-222 in residential air” (2012)

Jointly with the Swedish Radiation Protection Authority (SSI). An assessment of the bronchopulmonary system under the influence of radon was carried out.

19. Participation in the international program “Tobacco-Free Europe” (2010-2012)

implemented under the auspices of the World Health Organization in all European countries, three times at intervals of 5-6 years in Ukraine the Global Youth Tobacco Survey was carried out by scientists of our Institute and Anton, Linda A. (USA). 1. The survey results of pupils in grades 7 – 9 of 49 schools in Ukraine (carried out in 2011), provided after statistical processing by specialists of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC – Atlanta, USA), were analyzed. 2. Negative trends in the prevalence of tobacco use among adolescents were identified. 3. Certain positive aspects have been identified, namely: high awareness of adolescents about the harmful effects of tobacco on the body (82.6%); most of them are aware of the need to ban smoking in public places (86.6%); adolescent smokers’ attempts to get rid of this bad habit (79.9%). 4. The generalized analysis in the form of a report was submitted to the WHO Regional Office for Europe for approval.

20. Participation in the project “Perception of Radiation Risks by the Population of Ukraine” (2009-2011)

Together with Japan, the Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, and Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the questionnaire design was developed, data was distributed and collected in 4 regions of Ukraine and the city of Slavutych, and information was analyzed by forming a database.

21. Participation in the project “Substantiation of reduction of natural radionuclides intake into the human body and the environment at uranium facilities” (2007-2010)

Together with experts from Japan, Poland, Sweden, Belgium, Germany, and Ukraine, the Ukrainian Research Hydrometeorological Institute and the Center for Radioecological Monitoring.

The goal is to assess the radiation impact of former uranium production facilities in Ukraine and to justify ways to reduce the intake of natural radionuclides into the human body and the environment, considering areas of possible remediation activities.

The project work included identifying radiation monitoring objects and the most critical radionuclides, assessing, developing, and updating the instrumentation and methodological arsenal, and developing a quality assurance system. The most critical radionuclides of interest were the natural radionuclides uranium-238, 234, thorium-230, radium-226, radon-222, lead-210, and polonium-210 in water, air, soil, and vegetation. Numerous methods have been used to accurately determine radon in the air: track integral method, carbon method, and carbon method with its calibration by emanation chambers. During the project implementation, the laboratories of the participating organizations mastered and improved a wide range of methods for determining the natural radionuclides concentration by alpha spectrometry, low-background gamma spectrometry, and liquid scintillation spectrometry. The arsenal of methods has been well tested, and participation in IAEA benchmarking tests for gamma emitters in water and soil samples and polonium-210 in water samples confirmed the proper quality of measurements. In the first and second stages of the project, the project analyzed regulatory documents related to the regulation and impact assessment of uranium facilities. This allowed us to develop a draft State Targeted Environmental Program, “Bringing the Uranium Facilities of the Former Prydniprovsky Chemical Plant to a Safe Condition,” as part of the implementation of the “Priority Action Plan for the Period of Improvement of the Environmental Condition of Dniprodzerzhynsk for 2009”. This project was supported by the Ministry of Fuel and Energy of Ukraine and was implemented in 2009. Dosimetric support of some planned activities on the territory of the former Prydniprovsky Chemical Plant (PCP) allowed the development of modern electronic maps of the spatial distribution of equivalent dose rate in the tailing pits. Particular attention was paid to the works before and after the completion of the restored works on creating a new cover at the Pivdenne Vostochne tailing pile, which confirmed the quality and validity of the work performed. The application of the methods for determining the natural radionuclides made it possible to obtain data on their content in water, air, soil, vegetation, and food in the territory of radiation-hazardous facilities (RHF) and in the neighbor areas of study, the results of which are summarized in the reports for the first, second, and third stages. The obtained results further allowed us to estimate the dose load levels for the personnel of enterprises under different scenarios of their behavior and for the population living in settlements located near RHF. Separate consideration was given to the application of the methodology for reconstructing atmospheric and water fluxes of natural radionuclides over the past 40-50 years (and, accordingly, risks to human health) based on the accumulation of radionuclides in undisturbed layers of bottom sediments of closed reservoirs around the Prydniprovsky Chemical Plant using the method of isotopic markers. The content of natural radionuclides was analyzed in 5 columns of bottom sediments, in the column of undisturbed layers of Lake Somivka, and it was possible to date it by the content of lead-210 in different layers. The first estimates of radionuclide root transport by woody vegetation on the territory of the Central Yar tailing pile were made, which allowed preliminary estimates of the stocks of natural radionuclides in wood on the territory of this tailing pile and to determine the possibilities of further wood management during re-cultivation.

22. Participation in the project “Scientific substantiation of the specific activity of disinfectants produced by Ecolab (USA-Germany)” (2009)

The specific activity of modern disinfectants was studied.

23. Participation in the development of “Methodological guidelines for determining the antimicrobial activity of disinfectants and antiseptics” (harmonization with EU standards)” (2008)

Jointly with Germany, International Organization CEN TC 216, German Group for Research on Chemical Disinfectants and Antiseptics. Based on the experience investigating disinfectants, methodological approaches to determining their antimicrobial activity have been developed.