Irradiation of the Bulgarian population with ionizing radiation

The evaluation of ionizing radiations as a unfavourable environmental factor in Bulgaria have two aspects: 1) real level of impact (radiation dose, intake of radionuclides, radionuclide concentration in the air, waters, food; radionuclide contamination of soils, surfaces; accumulation of radioactive wastes, etc.); 2) socio-psychological impact, e.g., the public opinion about the radiation hazards. Some problems arising from the contradictory nature of these two aspects are discussed. They are: occupational exposure, X-ray exposure of the medical personnel, medical surveillance of the occupationally exposed people, biosphere contamination, nuclear power engineering, post-Chernobyl radiation effects, legal aspects of radiation protection. (A.B.)