[Health risk from ionizing radiation and other harmful sources: assessment methods and practical application].

The modern health risk assessment (HRA) methodology allows the development of the general HRA method applicable to any harmful source (ionizing radiation, harmful chemicals, nanomaterials and others). Specific methods and their simplified versions are developed on the basis of the general method. The main items of this approach to developing HRA methodology (risk indices and calculation formulas, exposure-response dependences, single and extended exposure to a harmful source, risk competition, etc.) are shortly described. The most suitable risk index for elaborating health safety standards (HSSs) and risk comparison on the unique methodological basis in different areas of the human activity are proposed. The approach to the risk standardization (establishment of HSSs and other safety levels) is described. HSSs and other safety levels are sequentially established in this approach according to the scheme: united main universal HSSs --> main branch HSSs --> derivative (secondary) HSSs with practically suitable indices. This approach allows resolution of the actual problem of harmonizing HSSs in different areas of human activity as well as in different countries. The principal role of HRA results in the development and justification of HSSs is shown on the example of developing radiological HSSs.