Introduction. Due to the tense situation in the world, which may lead to deliberate emergencies at radiation-hazardous facilities as a result of terrorist or sabotage actions, the availability of methods for operational control of radioactive aerosols in the atmospheric air, as well as knowledge of background levels of α- and β-activity of aerosols in the locations of nuclear power facilities, mining and processing facilities The aim of the study was to assess the radioactivity of aerosols in the atmospheric air according to the indices of α- and β-activity (using the example of the cities of Voronezh, Novovoronezh, Pavlovsk, Lipetsk, Stary Oskol). Materials and methods. Atmospheric air sampling was carried out using a flow meter-sampler of PU-5 aerosol mixtures. The α- and β-activity of the surface of the AFA-RSP-20 filters was measured with the MKS-AT1117M dosimeter-radiometer with interchangeable detection units BDPA-01 and BDPB-01. Results. The results of measurements of aerosols α- and β-activity in the atmospheric air in all control points in the territories of populated places established the α-activity of the aerosols to vary from 1.10 • 10–3 to 6.75 • 10–3 Bq/m3, total (total) β-activity – from 3. 49 • 10–3 to 2.12 • 10–2 Bq/m3. The maximum indices values took place at control points near the open-pit mining of the Shkurlatovsky granite deposit (near Pavlovsk, Voronezh region). Limitations. The limitations of the study are related to possible errors of the proposed and tested methodology, single (one-time) measurements, variable meteorological conditions affecting a specific result. Conclusion. The maximum values of aerosols α- and β-activity in the atmospheric air of populated areas are determined by the results of one-time measurements (6.75 • 10–3 Bq/m3 and 2.12 • 10–2 Bq/m3) do not cause concerns for the health of the living population.

The accumulation of 137Cs and its stratification in Cladonia lichens growing in the area of Kola nuclear power plant have been studied. For this purpose, samples of reindeer lichens were selected at 12 test sites in the sanitary protection zone of the station, in the observation zone, and in the background area. The specific activities of 137Cs in the samples were determined using a scintillation gamma spectrometer. The weighted average specific activities of 137Cs in Cladonia lichens were 22.3–104.8 Bq/kg, while most of the radiocaesium was concentrated in the upper layers of the lichen. Statistical data processing using a single-sample t-test, Spearman’s coefficient, and cluster analysis indicated the dominant role of global fallout in the 137Cs input into the lichens, while the possible impact of the Kola nuclear power plant on this process is limited to the sanitary protection zone.

Introduction. The Northern Sea Route (NSR) is the main Arctic shipping route in the Russian Federation. As part of the development of Arctic infrastructure, the state and private investors have launched large-scale work on the development of Arctic ports. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the current monitoring system for the state of atmospheric air, soil, and drinking water in the territory of settlements (ports) in the Northern Sea Route. Materials and methods. Official data from environmental pollution monitoring by (Russian Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring (Roshydromet) and social and hygienic monitoring by Federal Service for Supervision in Protection of the Rights of Consumer and Man Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) in twelve settlements and ports in the Northern Sea Route were used. An electronic database has been created. The analysis was carried out using MS Office Excel, visualization of the location of monitoring points – ESRI ArcGIS 9.3 Results. The conducted research has shown heterogeneity in the management of monitoring of environmental factors of the population living in settlements (ports) of the NSR. The largest monitoring coverage is typical for settlements in the North-West – primarily the cities of Murmansk and Arkhangelsk, where the largest number of posts are located and all environments are monitored – atmospheric air, soil of populated areas and drinking water. There is practically no monitoring of the habitat in the village of Sabetta, Dudinka. In the village. Dixon habitat monitoring is not carried out. Atmospheric air, the quality of which is especially important for territories with developed port infrastructure, is controlled only in 5 out of 12 settlements (ports) of the NSR. Limitations. The research had no limitations. Conclusion. The need to optimize the monitoring system was noted. As measures, it is recommended to manage monitoring of atmospheric air, drinking water, and soil in the village. Dixon; atmospheric air and soil in the village. Sabetta and Dudinka; atmospheric air in Beringovsky village, Igarka, Providence village; soil in Tiksi village. It is necessary to expand the list of controlled indices in atmospheric air, drinking water and soil, as well as increase the frequency of sampling.

Introduction: Non-compliance with the requirements of sanitary and environmental protection regulations when accumulating and disposing of municipal solid waste has an adverse effect on the environment and human health. Objective: To assess the adverse environmental and human health impact of illegal municipal solid waste dumping sites. Materials and methods: We have analyzed data on 14 illegal landfills surveyed in the Voronezh Region within implementation of the regional component of the Federal “General Cleaning” Project in 2022–2023. The study was carried out in compliance with Guidelines 2.1.10.0273–22, Assessment of the impact of objects of accumulated environmental damage on human health and life expectancy, including the possibility of conducting a rapid assessment. Results: Our findings show that the risk of adverse effects ranges from 0.41 to 0.57, being moderate, and that all the illegal dumping sites should be classified as category 3, i.e. as objects subject to liquidation in the medium term according to Guidelines 2.1.10.0273–22. The contribution of spatial factors to the risk level is the highest (28 to 46 %), followed by geological and technological characteristics (18 to 27 %), and general parameters (18 to 27 %). The contribution of environmental characteristics ranges from 8 to 13.6 %. The estimated decrease in life expectancy from illegal dumping sites is less than a year. Conclusion: According to the results of assessing adverse environmental health effects of illegal solid municipal waste landfills, all of them pose moderate health risks and their liquidation is a substantiated priority.

Introduction. Industrial dust aerosols with a predominantly fibrogenic effect remain an important risk factor for the health of the working population in the Arctic. The study aims to explore the features of the development, structure and prevalence of occupational diseases caused by fibrogenic aerosols at enterprises in the Arctic. Materials and methods. The authors have studied the archival data of the socio-hygienic monitoring "Working conditions and occupational morbidity" and the register of extracts from occupational disease records (Order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation No. 176 dated 05/28/2001). Results. At enterprises in the Arctic in 2007–2021, fibrogenic aerosols ranked ninth (4.8%) in terms of the number of exposed workers, and fifth among harmful production factors in terms of the number of occupational diseases caused by their action (491 cases or 9.1%). They were characterized by the formation of employees of coal enterprises (83.1%), dominance in the structure of the pathology of chronic bronchitis (87.7%), etiological association with weakly fibrogenic aerosols (94.3%). The risk of diseases from exposure to fibrogenic aerosols in miners was higher than in metallurgical workers (RR=12.9; 95% CI 9.63–17.26; p<0.001), construction (RR=11.7; 95% CI 10.78–19.11; p<0.0001) and transport (RR=31.3; 95% CI 10.11–77.19; p<0.001) enterprises. For 15 years, researchers have observed a decrease in the number of diseases caused by the action of fibrogenic aerosols, and the risk of their development in 2007–2009 was higher than in 2019–2021: RR=2.10; 95% CI 1.19–3.71; p=0.009. Conclusion. In the prevention of occupational pathology from the effects of fibrogenic aerosols, the priority remains to improve dust suppression methods and respiratory protection equipment for sinkers, miners of the treatment face, machinists of mining machines and other specialists of coal mining enterprises in the Arctic

In 2007–2021, the share of the cooling microclimate in the structure of harmful production factors at enterprises in the Arctic was 5.1 %, and among the factors that caused the development of occupational pathology — 0.18 %. These health disorders were characterized by a high proportion of diseases of the nervous system (68.4 %) and the circulatory system (15.8 %). In general, over the course of 15 years, there was a downward trend in the number of occupational diseases caused by a cooling microclimate, and the risk of their development in 2007–2012 was higher than in 2016–2021: RR = 12.3; CI 1.62–93.5; p = 0.002. Conclusion. In 2007–2021, the cooling microclimate of workplaces did not have a significant impact on the formation of occupational diseases at enterprises in the Arctic. However, given the severe climatic conditions of the region, it can be assumed that this factor is underestimated, which makes it expedient to continue research.

Introduction: Despite all preventive measures constantly taken, high incidence of occupational diseases is still registered in workers of copper-nickel enterprises. Objective: To obtain new knowledge about the conditions, timing, structure and frequency of occupational diseases in order to develop methods for their more effective prevention in workers involved in pyrometallurgical copper-nickel ore processing. Materials and methods: We have analyzed incidence rates of occupational diseases in a cohort of 664 workers who processed copper-nickel ore in 2007–2020. Results: Working conditions during pyrometallurgical processing of copper-nickel ore correspond to hazard classes 3.2–3.4 with the chemical exposure being of paramount importance in the development of health disorders (45.6 % of cases). In 2007, 664 workers were examined and 158 occupational diseases were diagnosed in 65 (9.8 %) of them in the years 2008–2020, respiratory and musculoskeletal diseases being the most prevalent categories (50.6 % and 29.1 %, respectively) and chronic bronchitis and sensorineural hearing loss – the most prevalent diseases (27.8 % and 17.1 %, respectively). We established non-occupational disorders (arthralgia, osteochondrosis, early signs of hearing impairment, etc.) contributing to further development of occupational diseases. Smoking history (> 5 packs/year) was found to promote occupational diseases of the respiratory system (RR = 4.84; 95 % CI: 2.51–9.35). Crane operators (17.5 % of the workers) were found to be at highest risk of occupational diseases (366.1 cases per 10,000 workers). Conclusions: Based on data on previously registered occupational diseases, working conditions, length of service, occupation, and clinical conditions, criteria for five risk categories have been developed to predict occupational diseases by time, nosology, and severity of the course in metallurgists involved in copper-nickel ore processing.

Introduction. Industrial cities are characterized by a significant amount of emissions of carcinogenic substances into the atmospheric air. In this regard, for the development of preventive measures, there is needed research to quantify the carcinogenic risk to health. The aim of the work was to quantify the carcinogenic risk associated with aerotechnogenic pollution of the cities of the Central Chernozem region including Voronezh, Lipetsk, and Belgorod. Materials and methods. Data on the results of monitoring laboratory studies in 2017–2022 were used as initial data. The carcinogenic risk was assessed according to G. 2.1.10.1920–04 “Guidelines for assessing the risk to public health when exposed to chemicals that pollute the environment”. Results. Taking into account the available objective data of laboratory control of carcinogens in the atmospheric air of the cities of the Central Chernozem region of Russia, pollutants have been identified whose exposure under standard exposure scenarios causes the level of individual carcinogenic risk to public health above the maximum permissible (1 • 10–4): in Voronezh – 1,3–butadiene (the source of emissions is the production of synthetic rubber) and chromium6+ compounds (the main source of emissions is an aviation plant); in Lipetsk – formaldehyde, at some control points – benzene (the main sources are emissions from metallurgical production and motor transport). Attention should be paid to the need to improve monitoring of the content of carcinogens in the atmospheric air of Belgorod, because in the presence of many sources of pollution, the concentrations of only two carcinogens are controlled. Limitations. The limitations of the study are due to the fact that the calculation of individual carcinogenic risks is always inherent in the uncertainties associated with the assessment of exposure and the use of standard formulas for calculating doses of intake into the body. Conclusion. To reduce the carcinogenic risk associated with air pollution, a set of measures should be implemented to reduce the intake of carcinogenic pollutants into the atmospheric air, and to implement rational urban planning decisions.

Introduction. Working in the Arctic creates an increased risk of developing occupational pathology, leads to a premature restriction of the labour activity. Materials and methods. We studied data of the socio-hygienic monitoring “Working conditions and occupational morbidity» and the register of extracts from occupational disease records (Order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation 176 dated May 28, 2001) The aim of the study was to assess causes and circumstances, structure, and number of occupational diseases among employees of Russian Arctic enterprises in 2007–2021. Results. In 2007–2021, Ten thousand three hundred forty three occupational diseases were firstly registered in the Russian Arctic in 8,067 employees, in 75–85% of cases engaged in mining and metallurgical enterprises. In 2007–2015, there was an increase, and in 2016–2021, a decrease in the level of occupational morbidity, which exceeded the national figures by 6.01–10.99 times. The main factor in the development of occupational pathology, the share of which in the structure of all harmful factors increased from 19.0% to 43.9%, is the severity of labour arising from design flaws in equipment and imperfection of technological processes. In 2007–2021, there was an increase in the proportion of vibration disease (from 18.3% to 26.3%) and radiculopathy (from 12.6% to 19.5%), a decrease in the share of sensorineural hearing loss (from 17.9 % to 14.3%) and mono- and polyneuropathy (from 14.1% to 9.1%), but especially significant (5.38 times) – of chronic bronchitis. At the same time, the number of nosological forms of occupational diseases per worker increased from 1.05±0.01 to 1.43±0.03 cases (p<0.05). Limitations. As a limitation of the study, one can consider the locality of the data obtained, which are applicable only to the Arctic territories of Russia. Conclusion. The new data obtained on the causes, number, and structure of occupational diseases indicate the priority for the Russian Arctic to reduce labour severity and improve preventing vibration disease, radiculopathy, and sensorineural hearing loss in mining and metallurgical workers.

Работники никелевой промышленности составляют группу повышенного риска развития профессиональных заболеваний. Изучены данные об условиях труда, общей и профессиональной патологии работников никелевой промышленности в Мурманской области в 2004–2021 гг., а также результаты ретроспективного когортного исследования 1424 работников пирометаллургического передела никеля в 2007–2021 гг. В Мурманской области в 2004–2021 гг. у 620 работников никелевой промышленности было впервые выявлено 1215 профессиональных заболеваний, что составило 24,4% заболевших лиц и 24,6% случаев патологии в регионе. В 2008–2021 гг. у 130 (9,1%) из 1424 работников когортной группы были впервые выявлены 302 профессиональных заболевания. При этом в 2014–2021 гг. отмечалась отрицательная динамика за счет увеличения ежегодной процентной доли работников с профессиональной патологией с 0,37% до 1,2% и уровня профессиональной заболеваемости с 74,9 до 443,5 случаев / 10000 работников. Результаты когортного исследования позволили научно обосновать методику оценки риска развития профессиональной патологии и содержание дифференцированных риск-ориентированных лечебно-диагностических комплексов для профилактики профессиональных заболеваний у работников никелевой промышленности. Ухудшение в 2011–2021 гг. показателей профессионального здоровья делает актуальным разработку и практическое внедрение новой риск-ориентированной методики профилактики профессиональной патологии в системе охраны труда работников никелевых предприятий в Мурманской области. Nickel industry workers are at increased risk of developing occupational diseases. We studied data on working conditions, non-occupational and occupational pathology of nickel industry workers in the Murmansk region in 2004–2021, as well as the results of a retrospective cohort study of 1424 workers in the nickel pyrometallurgical processing in 2007–2021. In the Murmansk region in 2004–2021, 1215 occupational diseases were detected for the first time in 620 nickel industry employees, which accounted for 24.4% of workers and 24.6% of occupational pathology cases in the region. In 2008–2021, 130 (9.1%) out of 1424 workers in the cohort group were first diagnosed with 302 occupational diseases. In 2014–2021, there was a negative dynamic in the occupational health of workers due to an increase in the annual percentage of persons with occupational pathology from 0.37% to 1.2% and the level of occupational morbidity from 74.9 to 443.5 cases / 10000 employees. The results of a cohort study made it possible to develop a methodology for a posteriori prediction of occupational pathology risk categories and differentiated risk-based treatment and diagnostic complexes for the prevention of occupational pathology among nickel industry workers. Conclusion. Taking into account the deterioration in the health indicators of nickel industry workers in the Murmansk region in 2011–2021, the development and practical implementation of a new risk-based method for preventing occupational pathology becomes a priority.

Introduction: The constant growth of plastic production accompanied by its insufficient disposal has led to global environmental pollution and potential risks to biota and human health. Objective: To analyze scientific literature data on the risks posed by plastics for biota and public health in Russia. Materials and methods: We have studied scientific publications indexed in international (Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed) and domestic (Russian Science Citation Index (RSCI)) databases in 2012–2022 and searched for using the following keyword combinations: microplastics & biota, microplastics & human health. We reviewed 60 Russian and English-language literary sources giving preference to national studies published in journals included in the RSCI core collection and to foreign studies published in the journals indexed in the Web of Science and Scopus (Q1–Q2). Results: Many potential threats to biota and humans are associated with plastics. Macro-sized (> 5 mm) plastic debris pose the highest risk to mammals and other large fauna while microparticles are dangerous for small mammals as they cause eating, movement, and reproductive disorders. Toxic substances, primarily bisphenols and phthalates that migrate from plastic containers into food and liquids, pose the greatest risk to human health. Yet, in real life, concentrations of these toxicants in food products do not exceed hygienic standards, and health disorders in experimental animals have been observed following the exposure to higher than naturally found levels of plastic contaminants. Adverse effects of plastic micro- and nanoparticles (< 0.001 mm) on blood cells, immune and inflammatory processes, apoptosis, etc., have been established. Yet, no human diseases can be convincingly associated with plastic exposure nowadays. Conclusions: Many questions about the impact of toxic degradation products of plastic, its micro- and nanoparticles on biota and humans remain unresolved. It is therefore important to use potentially less toxic and biodegradable types of plastic, boost their recycling rates, raise public awareness on plastic pollution, and promote ubiquitous separate waste collection.

Introduction: Literary sources present rather contradictory data on the health of oil and gas industry workers in the Russian Arctic, which requires additional research. Objective: To assess causes and circumstances, structure and number of occupational diseases among employees engaged in hydrocarbon extraction in the Arctic. Materials and methods: We studied data of the public health monitoring on working conditions and occupational diseases in the Russian Arctic and the registry of extracts from occupational disease records (Order 176 of the Russian Ministry of Health dated May 28, 2001). The retrieved data were analyzed in Microsoft Excel 2016 and Epi Info statistical software, version 6.04d. Results: We have revealed a pronounced contrast in working conditions and the number of occupational diseases between coal miners in the Komi Republic (city of Vorkuta) and Chukotka Autonomous Area, on the one hand, and oil and gas production workers of the Nenets and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Areas, on the other, in the years 2007–2021. We estimated that 85.1 % of miners and only 3.1 % of gas and oil workers were employed at facilities characterized by extreme sanitary and epidemiological ill-being. Miners were diagnosed with 98.2 % of all occupational diseases registered in workers employed in the extraction of hydrocarbon resources, and the occupational disease incidence in them (201.71 per 10,000 workers) was 492 times higher than that in oil and gas workers (0.41 per 10,000). The most prevalent occupational diseases in the miners were chronic bronchitis (21.3 %), radiculopathy (21.0 %), and mono- and polyneuropathy (10.3 %) while workers of oil and gas companies mainly suffered from sensorineural hearing loss (46.3 %), radiculopathy (18.5 %), and vibration disease (16.7 %). Conclusion: Our findings confirm good health of oil and gas workers and necessitate urgent priority measures aimed at improvement of working conditions and all types of prevention of occupational conditions in coal miners working in the Arctic.

The article proposes a computational method for determining the concentrations of pollutants inside a ventilated or cleaned room, taking into account the initial conditions and parameters of the flow rate, incoming or purified air, the volume of the room, the initial concentrations of the pollutant in the atmospheric air and in the room air, the parameters of the efficiency of the air cleaner. The article proposes the solution of two mass transfer equations under known initial conditions for two methods of cleaning rooms. When solving the first equation, a direct mass transfer calculation was carried out, which makes it possible to determine the effect of natural or artificial ventilation used indoors with small linear dimensions on the change in the concentration of the selected air polluting substance in the form of a chemical compound or an aerosol containing biological or chemical pollutants. When solving the second equation, a direct mass transfer calculation was carried out, which makes it possible to determine the effect of the operation of an air purifier used indoors with small linear dimensions on the change in the concentration of the selected air polluting substance in the form of a chemical compound or an aerosol containing biological or chemical pollutants. Calculations allow us to determine the time during which a residential office or industrial space is saturated with pollutants or cleaned to the required air quality standards, taking into account the influence of factors such as pollution of the surface layers of atmospheric air, the appearance of pollutants inside the room, the performance and efficiency of ventilation or air purification systems. The proposed calculation methods can be used to determine changes in the quality of indoor air over time, including taking into account changes in oxygen concentrations and pollutants indoors, determining the effectiveness of ventilation and air purification systems of various capacities in residential, office, medical and industrial premises. Ethics. The study does not require the submission of a biomedical ethics committee opinion or other documents.

Introduction. Chemicals of various hazard classes are among the most common harmful production factors. We aimed to study conditions for the occurrence, prevalence and structure of occupational diseases from exposure to chemicals at enterprises in the Arctic in order to exclude cases of early restriction or complete termination of the labour activity of workers. The study design was to analyze data of social and hygienic monitoring “Working conditions and occupational morbidity of the population” in the Russian Federation in 2007-2020. Materials and methods. We studied the data of social and hygienic monitoring “Working conditions and occupational morbidity of the population of the Russian Federation” in 2007-2020. Results. In the Russian Arctic in 2007-2020, the share of chemicals in the structure of harmful production factors was 7.6%. They were the cause of 7.8% of occupational diseases, the number of which tended to decrease. Characteristic for this group of diseases is the predominant damage to the respiratory organs (74.6%) in workers in the nickel industry (68.3%). Also, a feature of the diseases was the formation in a shorter time (24.3±0.4 years); greater risk in women (relative risk (RR) = 3.48, confidence interval (CI) 2.91-4.16; p<0.001); greater risk of malignancy (RR=3.55; CI 3.13-4.02; p<0.001). Out of five hundred seventy one case of occupational pathology of nickel production workers, 355 (62.2%) were caused by water-insoluble nickel compounds. Other 188 (32.9%) and 28 (4.9%) cases were due to hydroaerosols of nickel salts and nickel tetracarbonyl, respectively. Out of 164 cases of intoxication, 138 (84.1%) had a chronic course and were mainly caused by nickel compounds (87.7%). The main cause of acute intoxication (n=26) was carbon monoxide (76.9%). Limitations. Methods for determining concentrations of chemicals in the air of work areas do not provide an accurate exposure assessment in workers who use personal protective equipment. Conclusion. To reduce the occupational health risks from chemicals, first of all, it is necessary, to decrease concentrations of nickel compounds in the air of the nickel enterprise working areas. In the prevention of certain forms of occupational pathology, priority should be given to respiratory diseases from exposure to water-insoluble nickel compounds, malignant neoplasms and acute carbon monoxide poisoning.

Introduction. Airfields and aerodrome territories are objects of hygienic and environmental expertise, since their functioning is accompanied by the impact of adverse factors on the population and the environment. In this regard, both at the design stage and during the operation of the airfield, a quantitative assessment of the risk to public health is necessary. The aim of the study was to verify the establishment of the design boundaries of the seventh subzone of the aerodrome territory by noise and carcinogenic factors. Materials and methods. The materials used in the work are design materials for the establishment of the aerodrome territory of the Voronezh civil aviation airfield ʺVoronezh (Chertovitskoye)ʺ and data from instrumental and laboratory control (noise factor, concentrations of carcinogens in atmospheric air) obtained by the Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology in the Voronezh Region. Results. At the border of the seventh subzone of the aerodrome territory, the highest values of the estimated risk index for the noise factor were found to be characteristic of the risk for the cardiovascular system (up to 0.013), at the same time, they do not exceed the low risk level (less than 0.05). The levels of the total individual carcinogenic risk at the border of the seventh subzone of the aerodrome territory of the airfield are in the range from 3.01 · 10-8 to 3.56 · 10-7; outside the seventh subzone at the border of the nearest residential development in the range from 3.26 · 10-8 to 2.16 · 10-7, which is classified as the value of the target risk for the conditions of populated places in Russia. Limitations. The limitations of the study are related to the fact that the work uses design data obtained using currently existing and approved calculation methods for noise levels and concentrations of carcinogenic substances in the surface layer of atmospheric air in the aerodrome area, as well as a limited number of results of instrumental measurements of noise levels and laboratory monitoring of carcinogens in the air. At the same time, the regulatory and methodological framework for assessing the risk to public health caused by the impact of the studied factors, taking into account the receipt of new data on the impact of adverse environmental factors on human health, is constantly being revised and improved. Conclusion. The noise impact factor is decisive in establishing the boundaries of the seventh subzone of the aerodrome territory. The design boundaries of the seventh subzone of the aerodrome territory of the ʺVoronezh (Chertovitskoye)ʺ civil aviation airfield for the carcinogenic factor and the aviation noise factor are confirmed by full-scale laboratory studies of the concentrations of carcinogens in the surface layer of air and instrumental measurements of aircraft noise levels and comply with current sanitary and hygienic and environmental requirements.

The content and profile distribution of 137Cs in iron-illuvial dwarf and shallow-podzolic podzols (Albic Podzols) under bilberry-lichen and green-lichen-bilberry pine forests in the located near the Kola Nuclear Power Plant have been analyzed. The pollution density (reserve) of 137Cs in the root-inhabited layer (0–30 cm) in the studied soils was significantly lower than the established control level of 37 000 Bq/m2 and amounts to 530–2459 Bq/m2. A significant part of 137Cs (60 to 90%) was concentrated in mineral horizons. It has been shown that the pollution density of 137Cs in the observation zone of a nuclear power plant was mainly due to global fallout. The greatest influence on 137Cs accumulation in the studied soils was exerted by the organic matter reserve.

The aim of the study is to conduct the geoecological assessment of the territory's radon hazard and its impact on the public health. Methods. The following methods were used during the study: cartographic method, geoinformation method, statistical method and mathematical modeling method. Secondary operations were carried out with the computer software Arc GIS 9.2, CorelDraw 9.0, Adobe Photoshop 10.0, Macromedia Flash MX, Statistica 10.0. Results. The article presents a methodological approach to studying the geographical distribution of radon. To ensure the quality of life for the population one requires a comprehensive radon monitoring, including the study of its natural background level as well as the area building structures and the rate of cancer related diseases. Analyzing the geotectonic typology of residential areas provides an opportunity to identify the main types of (human) settlements with a focus on their radon hazard level. While assessing the risk of cancer-related diseases and outlining the factors that affect the lung cancer rate it is essential to consider the deviations from the average ratio of nosological forms. One has developed the GIS mechanism to monitor territories, which - if combined with cartographic models - enables to quickly determine their radon hazard level. The suggested methodological approach makes it possible to identify the areas with ecological risk for the inhabitants due to the radon hazard of both populated land and the one to be populated in the future. The increasing emphasis is being laid on the residential areas located on tectonic fault lines. Conclusions. The natural background level of radon for the investigated region was identified during the integrated analysis of the territory radon hazard level. The cartographic approach reveals spatial patterns of cancer-related diseases and allows mapping the territory according to the degree of cancer risk.

A method for modeling and assessing the degree of air pollution in Technogenically disturbed areas based on fractal analysis is proposed.