This article covers basic issues of the radiation protection in nuclear industry. It contains an overview of history of the national nuclear industry including the creation of industry-specific facilities (research centers, medical units etc.). Main stages of the creating the regulatory system for radiation protection, starting from the beginning of the industrial radiation protection, stages of introducing exposure limits and implementation of the radiation protection system in international documents are described. In 1996, for the first time, radiation protection requirements in Russia were documented in the form of the Federal Law 3-FZ of 09.01.1996 “Radiation Protection of the Public". A new stage of updating the global methodological foundation of radiation protection began in 2007. IRCP recommendations of 2007 moved from the legacy practice and intervention approach focused on the process to the approach based on characteristics of exposure situation. The evolvement of new technologies (specifically, in the field of reactor engineering and used nuclear fuel) in recent years requires a special focus on the safety of the personnel and the public. This stipulates the necessity of the appropriate radiation protection support of activities for the safe implementation of modern technologies. Handling of spent nuclear fuel and generated radioactive wastes, safe decommissioning of radiation hazardous facilities, radiation protection during operation of radiation facilities in nonstandard conditions are all the issues requiring specific examination. Regulatory and procedural documents on radiation protection of the personnel and the public during development and implementation of new technologies have been developed and approved as a result of long-term work of scientists and other professionals.

At present about 90% of the personnel of the State Corporation Rosatom monitored for individual radiation exposure have reports on radiation risks assessed with the computed system ARMIR. For several years average value of the risk in the Russian nuclear industry does not exceed 0.00008. As of today radiation dose received by the nuclear workers corresponds to a permissible levels of health risks. The percentage of the workers in the high risk group (risk value is above 0.001) is 1.25% of the total number of the personnel registered in the ARMIR system. The most part of the high risk group are old stagers.

Risks of diseases induced by internal radiation for different scenarios of annual exposure to radiation were assessed. In the scenario it is assumed that absorbed doses to organs and tissues are formed mainly due to inhalation of radionuclides. Results of study demonstrate that if internal radiation is due to inhaled radionuclides, organ dose is located in respiratory organs primarily, operational state of NPP is normal, lifetime attributable risk for nuclear workers can be assessed. Effective dose can be considered as approximate estimate of possible harm to health of those exposed to radiation at the age younger than 25 years.

At present more than 91 % of the State Corporation “Rosatom” workers under permanent personal dosimetry monitoring have estimates of personal risks. Compared to the previous year, the Corporation average risk was 7´10 -5 (10 % lower); the highest risk was 6.74´10 -3 (about twofold lower) in the reported period. As it was in 2011, the absolute majority of the personnel, both men and women (89.84 % and 93.69 % respectively), worked under trivial risk conditions. In 2012 the percentage of the workers presented in the group of higher risk was 1.14% of the personnel involved in the ARMIR system.

Computed system ARMIR was developed with the support of the Administration of the Nuclear Weapons Complex. It allows evaluating radiation risks from occupational exposure in more than 85 % of the Corporation Rosatom staff working under individual dosimetry monitoring. Summary data on occupational risks are given in the paper. Characteristics of a group at high risk were defined. Majority of workers (88.6 % of males and 93.08 % of females) are at trivial occupational risk. The ARMIR system is based on mathematical models of radiation risk recommended by ICRP. The use of the models for evaluating radiation risks in Russian nuclear workers is justified.

New dose matrix approach used for optimization of radiation protection of a personnel is examined. Values of radiation risks calculated for different occupational radiation exposure scenarios are given. Potential enhanced risk group among workers of the Industrial Association Mayak, who are under permanent dosimetry monitoring, is formed on the basis of dosimetric information and existing standards of radiation protection.

Internationally, the upper limit of acceptable individual risk from occupational exposure for nuclear industry workers is determined by the death probability 10-3 year-1. The same risk value of 10-3 year-1 is established by the Radiation Safety Standards currently in force in Russia. The United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation has proposed the formulae for estimating individual risk of developing cancer with allowance for radiation dose, age at exposure, attained age and sex. This methodology is first applied to estimate individual radiation risk for nuclear industry workers (49900 persons) who were monitored for radiation exposure through the use of personal dosimeters. The estimates show that in 2006 the threshold of 10-3 year-1 for individual risk is exceeded for 755 persons, which is 1.6 % of all workers covered by personal dose monitoring. The excess absolute risk (EAR) and attributive risk (AR) were estimated for all cancers, solid cancers and leukemias. The principles for forming potential risk groups are discussed.

The draft new recommendations of the ICRP emphasize the need for transition from the collective dose to the dose matrix concept with optimization of the radiation protection system. In fact, this means assessment of the attributive (radiation-induced) risk at individual level with allowance for the dynamics of dose accumulation during the whole length of professional experience. The work provides assessments for high potential risk group from the "Mayak" personnel based on the dose matrix and using the UNSCEAR technique for assessing the attributive risk. It was found that about 2% of "Mayak" personnel subject to individual dosimetric monitoring in 2005 can be attributed to this group.

The purpose of the research: to develop the optimal model of the creation of a medicodosimetric register, to carry out research on the dynamics of morbidity and mortality rate indices in personnel of the Siberian Group of Chemical Enterprises (SGCE) and to evaluate the long term effects of low doses of ionising radiation (IR). Materials and methods: the database of the Regional Medicodosimetric Register (RMDR) of SGCE personnel includes information about personnel, dosimetric and the medical character of the disease. We have completed forming the cohorts of reactor production (RP) and radiochemical production (RCP) workers. The cited data testify that most RP and RCP workers received registered cumulative doses of external radiation lower than 500 mSv ('low doses'), so further analysis will help us to understand the IR effects on the health of workers under study.

Exposure to ionizing radiation increases the risk of cancer in humans. Russian nuclear workers receive low and middle level accumulated dose for the entire period of their occupational activities. The methodology of UNSCEAR model and estimates of attributable risk was implemented for generating potential risk group among the Mayak plant personnel. There are 5,858 workers covered by individual dosimetry monitoring, who have received radiation doses since 1949. It was stated that 2% of the Mayak plant personnel covered by individual dosimetry monitoring should be included in the group of potential risk for radiation-induced cancer. UNSCEAR recommendations for estimating individual radiation risks can be used for generating groups of potential risks among Russian nuclear workers.

The paper discusses the provision of targeted health care to nuclear workers in Russia based on radiation- epidemiological estimates of cancer risks. Cancer incidence rates are analysed for the workers of the Institute of Physical Power Engineering ( the first nuclear installation in the world) who were subjected to individual dosimetric monitoring from 1950 to 2002. The value of excess relative risk for solid cancers was found to be ERR Gy(-1) = 0.24 ( 95% CI: - 4.22; 7.96). It has been shown that 81.8% of the persons covered by individual dosimetric monitoring have potential attributive risk up to 5%, and the risk is more than 10% for 3.7% of the workers. Among the detected cancer cases, 73.5% of the individuals show an attributive risk up to 5% and the risk is in excess of 10% for 3.9% of the workers. Principles for the provision of targeted health care, given voluntary health insurance, are outlined.