Medical Radiology - Lazar A.P. 2008
Radiation Therapy
Radiation Safety Standards in Ukraine
Maximum permissible radiation doses are regulated by normative documents approved by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. These are the "Radiation Safety Standards of Ukraine" (NRBU-97) and the "Basic Sanitary Rules for Working with Sources of ionizing radiation in Ukraine" (OSP-2000).
To regulate exposure conditions regarding sources of ionizing radiation, the population is divided into the following groups:
Group A — professionals who directly work with sources of ionizing radiation.
Group B — specialists whose workplaces are located adjacent to sources of ionizing radiation (e.g., a therapist whose office is located next to an X-ray room).
Group C — the general public living near hospitals where sources of ionizing radiation are used, patients from other wards, as well as people living near high-power radiation sources (such as nuclear power plants).
Dose limits in mSv/year have been established for these population groups (Table 2).
70% of human radiation exposure comes from medical examinations. Only diagnostic radiation doses are regulated; therapeutic doses are not. In life-threatening medical conditions, higher doses of diagnostic radiation are permitted. The physician selects the dose that will be most effective, while avoiding excessively high doses that could lead to radiation injuries. The physician bears criminal liability for this.
The following maximum limits for medical exposure of various population groups are recommended in Ukraine:
Category AD. Patients undergoing examinations for oncological and precancerous diseases, diagnostic Procedures for cardiovascular pathology, and emergency patients. For total-body irradiation, the maximum permissible dose (MPD) is 100 mSv/year.
Category BD. Patients undergoing examinations for somatic non-oncological diseases to establish a Diagnosis that will determine the subsequent Treatment strategy. For total-body irradiation, the MPD is 20 mSv/year.
Table 2. Radiation dose limits.
|
Category of exposed individuals |
|||
|
A a) b) |
B a) |
C a) |
|
|
DLe (effective dose limits) |
20 c) |
2 |
2 |
|
Equivalent dose limits for external exposure: |
|||
|
- DLlens (for the eye lens) |
150 |
15 |
15 |
|
- DLskin (for the Skin) |
500 |
50 |
50 |
|
- DLextrem (for hands and feet) |
50 |
50 |
- |
a) annual radiation doses are regulated;
b) for women of childbearing age (under 45 years) and pregnant women, the dose shall not exceed 2 mSv over any two consecutive months;
c) averaged over any consecutive 5 years, but not exceeding 50 mSv in any single year (DLmax).
Category CD. Cancer patients undergoing examinations following radical treatment, and routine screening of mandated population groups for preventive purposes. For total-body irradiation, the MPD is 2 mSv/year.
Category DD. All other individuals — preventive screenings, volunteers, and participants in medical research programs. For total-body irradiation, the MPD is 1 mSv/year.
Last update: 08/08/2026
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