Radiation epidemiological sector: development of up-to-date technologies for estimating health risks and optimization of radiological protection of the Russian population

The authors present the history of the Radiation Epidemiological Sector of the Medical Radiological Research Center and review the main results obtained by researchers of the National Radiation Epidemiological Registry for twenty five years. For that time major efforts were made towards development of methodology and analytical methods for estimating radiation risks and prognosing morbidity and mortality of people affected by low level radiation. At present basic and applied research into Radiation Epidemiology and estimating risks for health of people exposed to radiation from nuclear accidents and incidents, occupational activity and medical procedures is carried out at the Sector.