Lopatiuk O. Assessment of environmental and socioeconomic living conditions of rural population residing in Ukrainian Polissia in the long-term period after the Chornobyl accident

Object of study – concentration of radionuclides and heavy metals in soils, products of plant, animal and forest origin; nitrate content in vegetable products; socio-economic factors shaping the quality of life of the population living in areas with different densities of radioactive contamination. The aim of the study – to explore and substantiate quantitative parameters for assessing environmental and socio-economic factors shaping the quality of life and radiation safety of the rural population and to develop a structural and logical model of environmentally safe living in radioactively contaminated areas. Research methods – analytical, empirical, radiological, atomic absorption, physicochemical, statistical. Theoretical and practical results – The demand of periodic radiological monitoring of soils, food of plant, animal and forest origin and constant control over the content of heavy metals and nitrates in crop products in radioactively contaminated areas of Polissia Ukraine has been proved. A structural and logical model of ecologically safe living of the population in radioactively contaminated territories has been developed, based on the research. A systematic approach to the study of environmental and socio-economic factors of quality of life and radiation safety of the rural population of northern Zhytomyr region affected by the Chernobyl accident and the formulation of principles and methods to ensure environmentally safe living in these areas has conducted for the first time. The degree of implementation – The results of the dissertation are used in the development strategy of Zhytomyr region for the period up to 2027 and the Action Plan for 2021–2023 for its implementation by the Department of Agricultural Development and Economic Policy of Zhytomyr Regional State Administration. Scope (area) of use – educational process of Zhytomyr National Agroecological University; during seminars for agricultural producers by specialists of the Zhytomyr department of the state institution «Institute of Soil Protection of Ukraine».