Late effects of dietary radiocesium intake in residents of territories contaminated with radionuclides following atmospheric nuclear testings in the Semipalatinsk Test Site

«Radiation and Risk», 2017, vol. 26, No. 4, pp.33-42

DOI: 10.21870/0131-3878-2017-26-4-33-42

Authors

Meshkov N.A. – Head of Lab., MD, Prof., Honored Doctor of the Russian Federation, Member of RSCRP. Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks, Moscow. Contacts: 10, s. 1, Pogodinskaya str., Moscow, Russia, 119121. Tel.: +7 (916) 190-93-88; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Abstract

The Altai Republic and its population were repeatedly exposed to radiation following atmospheric nuclear testings carried out in the Semipalatinsk test site between 1949 over 1962. After the testings completion the residents of the affected territories were exposed mainly to internal radiation due to intake of local food – meat, milk, bread and potato – contaminated with 137Cs. In the article we present estimates of health effects of the radiological events on population of the Altai Republic made in different times after the completion of the nuclear testings in the Semipalatinsk Test Site. For the research on 137Cs specific activity in the local food stuff produced in the Altai Republic and the Altai Krai from 1966 over 1985 was measured and analyzed. Annual individual effective doses from dietary radiocesium intake received by adult Altai residents were calculated, prognosis for late health effects of the testings on population of the Altai Republic was assessed. According to estimates effect of internal exposure on late health effects reduced from 2.6% (1975-1985) to 0.6% (2001-2010).

Key words
Nuclear testings, Semipalatinsk Test Site, the Altai Republic, local food, 137Cs specific activity, rate of growth specific activity, 137Cs intake, mean individual annual effective doses, health effects, contribution of internal exposure.

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