Comparison of external doses estimated with methods of luminescence retrospective and EPR dosimetry with calculated doses in residents of the Dolon village, Kazakhstan: the 1st Nuclear Test in the USSR on 29 August, 1949

«Radiation and Risk», 2010, vol. 19, no. 2, pp.46-57

Authors

Matuschenko А.M. – D.Sc., Tech., Professor. Research Institute for Impulse Technique of Rosatom, Moscow. Stepanenko V.F. – Head of Lab., Cand. Sc., Biol., Institution of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Medical Radiological Research Center of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Obninsk. Contacts: 4 Korolyov str., Obninsk, Kaluga region, Russia, 249036. Tel./fax: (495) 956-14-40; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Dubasov Yu.V. – – Head Department, D.Sc., Chem., Professor. V.G.Khlopin’s Radium Institute, St. Peterbourg.
Smagulov S.K. – Deputy Chairman, Cand.Sc., Tech. The Union of Veterans of Special Risk (Saratov’s branch), Saratov.
Ivannikov A.I. – Leading Researcher, Cand.Sc., Tech. Institution of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Medical Radiological Research Center of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Obninsk.
Skvortsov V.G. – Head of Laboratory, Cand.Sc., Biol. Institution of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Medical Radiological Research Center of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Obninsk.
Orlov М.Yu. – Leading Researcher, Cand.Sc., Phys.-Math. Institution of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Medical Radiological Research Center of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Obninsk.
Kolyzshenkov T.V. – Senior Researcher, Cand.Sc., Biol. Institution of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Medical Radiological Research Center of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Obninsk.
Dubov D.V. – Research Assistant. Institution of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Medical Radiological Research Center of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Obninsk.
Tsyb A.F. – Director, Academician of RAMS, D.Sc., Med., Institution of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Medical Radiological Research Center of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Obninsk.

Abstract

The settlement of Dolon (Republic of Kazakhstan) is one of areas most affected by radiation as a result of the first nuclear test in the USSR (29.08.1949 - Semipalatinsk nuclear test site). The settlement was selected for comparison of different methods of retrospective dosimetry. External radiation doses in residents of the Dolon village estimated using methods of luminescence and EPR dosimetry were compared with calculated doses. The available data of soil contamination density by ¹³⁷Cs and ^239+240Pu in the village and in its vicinity were used for interpretation of the results. With an allowance for these data and “behavior and shielding” factors, essential for dose forming, the mean calculated external radiation dose to the residents was estimated to be equal to 260±80 mGy. Mean dose estimated by EPR dosimetry method was equal to 156±37. It was concluded, that values of external radiation dose in residents of the Dolon village (1000 mGy-2000 mGy) published earlier were essentially overestimated.

Key words
Retrospective dosimetry, nuclear tests, doses of irradiation among inhabitants.

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