Environmental and medical effects of nuclear weapon production in the southern Urals

Abstract

As a result of the activities of the ‘Mayak’ facility producing weapon's grade plutonium, large territories of the Urals Region (Russia) were exposed to radioactive contamination and the population residing in these territories was exposed to elevated radiation levels. Due to three radiation incidents and normal operation of the plant, significant radiation doses were received in a number of cases by the residents of the communities located in the close vicinity of the facility, with its workers. Cases of chronic radiation sickness were registered within the early period of exposure and in the later years increased morbidity and mortality from leukosis and malignant neoplasms were noted. Problems of irradiation dose reconstruction, and the health status in the offspring of the exposed population are discussed.