DOH’s Office of Office of Radiation Protection monitoring Ukraine war

Environmental Sciences Section staff continue to monitor the radiological situation in Ukraine. Each day, governments and scientists report on the status of European Union radiation monitors, meteorology in Ukraine, and the global jet stream. These tools make it possible for the Office of Radiation Protection to respond to any radiological or nuclear developments in Ukraine. Because radiation is naturally present in the environment, and can fluctuate daily, our scientists explore any trends or changes in background radiation in Ukraine. Over the past month, we have seen the levels rise and fall and have been able to reasonably explain these changes based on geology and meteorology. This daily monitoring will continue until the war in Ukraine ends.

Quarterly environmental dosimeter exchange

Environmental Sciences Section maintains environmental dosimetry stations at key locations around the state. This dosimetry measures direct radiation in the environment and is sensitive enough to measure small changes. We have maintained many of our locations for decades and they represent a substantial amount of baseline data that would enable us to assess any significant radiation release at these locations. All of our sites are nearby:

• Facilities with the potential of radiation releases
• Population centers
• Sites with historical and legacy contamination issues

For more information on the Office of Radiation and the Environmental Sciences Section, visit DOH’s Radiation Protection page.