Estimation of cancer incidence in the male population of the Altai Krai affected by the Semipalatinsk nuclear test

The purpose of the study was to analyze the cancer incidence in the males born from 1932 to 1949 and living in rural settlements of the municipal districts of the altai Krai affected by the traces from semipalatinsk first nuclear test on august 29, 1949. Material and methods. an epidemiological retrospective cohort study was based on the analysis of anonymized data on newly diagnosed and morphologically verified cases of cancer in a male cohort for the period from 2007 to 2016. the study included a cohort fixed by the date of the first nuclear test with a total of 6383 males. in total, 633 cases were identified in the cohort with newly diagnosed and morphologically verified cancer. at the beginning of the study, all males were alive and had no previous diagnosis of cancer. For a comparative analysis of the cancer incidence, the main (exposed) cohort comprised 2 291 men, and the control cohort included 4 092 men, who lived in rural settlements of municipal districts of the region and were not tracked during the first nuclear test conducted at the semipalatinsk test site. the person-time incidence rate (ptR), standard error (mptR) and confidence intervals (95 % ci) were calculated. the incidence and the relative risk of developing cancer were assessed. statistical analysis was carried out using microsoft office 2016. Results. the number of person-years in the main cohort was 1 6731 person-years, and in the control was 30 747. The incidence rate of person-time (ptR) in the main cohort was 2 032.22 × 105 person-years, with mptR equal to 110.21 and confidence intervals (95 % ci) – (1 811.80–2 252.64). in the control cohort, the corresponding values were: ptR – 952.94 × 105 person-years with mptR – 55,67 and 95 % ci (841.60–1 064.28). the most common cancer localizations in men of the main cohort were: digestive organs (c15-c26), respiratory and chest organs (c30-c39), skin (c43-c44), male genitals (c60-c63). in the control group, the most common localizations were respiratory and chest organs (c30-c39), digestive organs (c15-c26), male genital organs (c60-c63) and skin (c43-c44). Conclusion. an increased relative risk of developing malignant neoplasms in men born and living in the altai territory during the first nuclear test conducted at the semipalatinsk test site was revealed (RR=2.133; 95 % ci 1.824–2.493) with standard error of relative risk (s) equal to 0.0797. there were differences in cancer localization between the main and the control cohorts.

CHINGIZ EARTHQUAKE on January 20, 2015, KR=12.2, mb=5.6, I_0^P=5–6 NEAR the SEMIPALATINSK POLYGON (Eastern Kazakhstan)

The work presents the results of data analysis of the earthquake on January 20, 2015, mb=5.6 occurred at the low-active region of Eastern Kazakhstan near the border of the former Semipalatinsk Test Site. The work briefly describes the seismicity of the Semipalatinsk Test Site related to aseismic regions according to the acting map of general seismic zoning. The earthquake was recorded by permanent seismic stations of the Institute of Geophysical Research of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and by two strong-motion accelerometers. The earthquake was felt at distances up to 300 km from the epicentre, its maximum intensity was noted at Medeu settlement where the shaking intensity was 56 by the MSK-64 scale. The earthquake focal mechanism is shown, the parameters of seismic effects and response spectra are calculated.

SEISMICITY of KAZAKHSTAN and ADJACENT TERRITORIES in 2015

In 2015, the seismic monitoring in Kazakhstan was conducted by two Organizations: Seismological Experience-Methodical Expedition of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan (SEME), and the Republican State Enterprise Institute of Geophysical Research of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan (IGR). The paper presents detailed information on seismic observation networks. The joint catalogue based on the data of two organizations was compiled. It includes 489 earthquakes having energy class KR=6.6–12.2. The largest earthquake occurred on January 20, 2015 near the Semipalatinsk Test Site. The earthquake had magnitude MPVA=5.3, energy class KR=12.2, and was felt in a range of Kazakhstan settlements.

MONITORING OF TRITIUM POLLUTION OF THE SHAGAN RIVER WATERS

The article presents the results of monitoring the waters of the Shagan river on the change in the specific activity of tritium for 2016–2020. The Shagan river is the longest surface watercourse on the territory of the Semipalatinsk Test Site, flowing along the eastern part of the Balapan site, where, together with the tributary, the Ashisu, flows into the “Atomic Lake”. Further, at a distance of 110 km downstream, the river forms a left-bank tributary of the Irtysh river. Previous studies have revealed and repeatedly confirmed the fact of radioactive contamination of the surface and ground waters of the Shagan river technogenic radionuclide 3H. It was revealed that the main source of pollution is groundwater entering the surface waters of the river. In this regard, in order to ensure long-term monitoring of 3H pollution of river waters, seasonal monitoring was carried out in three sections of the river located along its channel, starting from the outlet from the “Atomic Lake” heap and further downstream to the confluence with the Irtysh river.As a result of the observations, it was found that the specific activity of 3H in surface and ground waters, depending on the observation time, varies in a wide range of values. So, in the area of maximum pollution, the content of 3H changes from the minimum – 8 Bq/kg in the spring, to the maximum 370 000 Bq/kg in the summer-autumn period. At the exit points of the Shagan river outside the landfill, the concentration of 3H varies from 90 Bq/kg to 12 400 Bq/kg. In the area of the confluence of the Shagan river in Irtysh river content of 3H does not exceed 110 Bq/kg.

DEVELOPMENT OF FIELD SPECTROMETRY DATABASE

The paper considers the issues in design and development of databases for storage and processing gamma-spectrometric information. A model is presented that allows one to describe the conceptual schemes for storing and processing data obtained during field gamma-spectrometric surveys in principle and, in particular, on the territory of the Semipalatinsk test site. The possibilities of the database of field spectrometry are described. The interface for interaction between the user and the database management system has been implemented.

REVIEW OF METHODIC INSTRUCTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EVALUATION OF ANNUAL EFFECTIVE DOSE TO HUMAN BEING IN CASES OF LIVING AT RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATED AREAS

The proposed paper provides a review of recommendations, methodic instructions and software for evaluation of exposure doses to population domiciling radioactive contaminated territories. There is a review of dose calculation methods which are most common in neighbouring countries and beyond. The paper presents basic approaches, factors required for dose assessment with review of main pathways for artificial radionuclides intake. It addresses the need to develop methodic instructions and software for the cases of people living at Semipalatinsk test site area.

Effect of tritium on the morpho-anatomical structure of the common reed (Phragmites australis)

The article presents the results of research on the morpho-anatomical structure of the plants growing under chronic exposure to ionizing radiation. The research was conducted in the territory of the Semipalatinsk test site in the vicinity of the Shagan river. The radioecological situation in the study area is determined by the presence of the long-lived radionuclides 3H, 90Sr, 239+240Pu in components comprising the natural environment. The main contributor to the radioactive contam-ination of the nature components is 3H. The findings of the study show that when 3H specific activ-ity in the free water of the common reed grass increases to n103-n105 Bq/kg, some anatomical parameters of its cane and leaf are reduced. The study also shows that with the increase in triti-um specific activity from n102 to n105 Bq/kg the anatomical parameters of the cane (scleren-chyma, cane diameter) decrease. When the specific activity of tritium increases to n104 Bq/kg, the leaf anatomical parameters are reduced. When specific activity of 3H increases to n105 Bq/kg there is the general tendency to the insignificant increase in anatomical parameters.