Medical Radiological Consequences after 35 Years after the Accident at the Chernobyl NPP

Purpose: In an article prepared on the basis of the conclusion of the Russian Scientific Commission on Radiological Protection (RSCRP) at the Department of Medical Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences "Assessment of the radiological consequences of the Chernobyl accident after 35 years according to the National Radiation and Epidemiological Register" (NRER), the main conclusions of the large-scale radiation-epidemiological studies carried out. Material and methods: The work uses information NRER – liquidators of the consequences of the Chernobyl accident and the Branch Register of FMBA of Russia – liquidators. When assessing the excess relative risk of malignant neoplasms, the EPICURE. Results: The current status of the National Radiation and Epidemiological Register, which is currently functioning within the framework of the Law of the Russian Federation of 30.12.2012 No. 329-FZ “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation in terms of ensuring that changes in the health status of certain categories of citizens are taken into account exposed to radiation". For the first time in an integral form, the article presents the medical radiological consequences of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant for the population of Russia. It was found that an increase in the incidence of thyroid cancer due to incorporated exposure to 131I was found in a cohort of children and adolescents (28 856 people) who received radiation doses of more than 200 mGy in 1986. There was no increase in the incidence of thyroid cancer among the adult population. Analysis of the incidence of solid cancers in the territories of the Bryansk, Kaluga, Tula and Oryol regions contaminated with radionuclides did not reveal an increase in the frequency of this pathology for children and adults. It is shown that in the cohort of liquidators of the Chernobyl accident, who received radiation doses of more than 150 mGy (35 303 people), an increase in the incidence of leukemia during the first 11 years after the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and solid cancers was revealed in comparison with the spontaneous level. Conclusions: The article points out serious limitations associated with a high degree of uncertainty in the received personal dosimetric data on liquidators in 1986–1987. and the need to use the total dose from all types of radiation (professional, emergency, medical, natural) to calculate the radiation risk. RSCRP emphasizes the high urgency of continuing work on reducing the uncertainty of dosimetry data and assessing the radiological consequences of the Chernobyl accident based on a comprehensive analysis of the NRER data.

Radiation Safety During the Construction of the «Sarcophagus» («Shelter» object) at the 4-th Unit of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in May-November 1986

This year marks the 35-th anniversary of the events related to the liquidation of the consequences of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (Chernobyl NPP) and their most important stage - the closure of the destroyed 4-th power unit with a special structure, which was initially called the «Sarcophagus» (later the «Shelter» object). This article presents information about the period May-November 1986 in the aspect of radiation safety of the builders of this unique facility.

ECOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF MORPHOGENESIS OF CONNECTIVE TISSUE COMPONENTS OF THE PANCREAS OF A RACCOON DOG IN POSTNATAL ONTOGENESIS OF THE RADIATION FACTOR

There have been no studies devoted to the study of the pancreas of a raccoon dog living in a contaminated area in the world. Therefore, the aim of our research was to study the connective tissue components of the pancreas in a raccoon dog at different stages of postnatal ontogenesis. The material for the study was raccoon dogs seized from former settlements, in the vicinity of lakes Zhartai, Vyura, Gnezdnoye and the Nesvich River in the exclusion zone (30 – kilometer exclusion zone of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant). As a result of the studies, the features of the morphofunctional state of the pancreatic stroma under the influence of the radiation factor were revealed.

INTEGRAL ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF THE DIVERSE TECHNOGENIC LOAD ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATE IN BRYANSK REGION

Introduction. The paper is timed to coincide with the mournful date of the 35th anniversary of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. In Russia, Bryansk Region is the most affected area in this regard. Our goal was to assess the diverse integral technogenic load in Bryansk Region, which is characterized by a developed industry and agriculture despite the negative consequences of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. We assessed the technogenic load on various components of the environment within the framework of a previously developed methodology aimed to identify the most environmentally unfriendly territories. Methods. Based on the annual data of Typhoon Research and Production Association on radiation monitoring, state and regional reports on the state of the environment, a radiation analysis was carried out in Bryansk Region. A number of territories in the south-west of the region are characterized by a high level of soil contamination with a technogenic radionuclide 137Cs, which is more than 40 Ci/km2. To assess the impact of the technogenic load on the environment, a new methodological approach was developed to account for components of different dimensions in the areas of the studied region. This approach makes it possible to combine all characteristics of different dimensions in calculations and bring them to dimensionless values. It should be noted that the assessments and comparisons were carried out exclusively within Bryansk Region and they can be used only with regard to the corresponding objects. If there is a need to compare it with other regions of the Russian Federation or have a countrywide comparison, then it is necessary to introduce average comparative values. Results. In the course of the study, we assessed the impact of the total technogenic load on the environment in Bryansk Region, which includes the studies of the following: technogenic load on the environment, socio-environmental situation, radiation situation, and integral load (technogenic, socio- environmental, and radiation). Conclusion. The integral assessment of the impact of the diverse load on the environmental state in Bryansk Region showed that the western part of the region is characterized by a high and very high integral load only. This is due to the technogenic load and radioactive contamination. In this regard, the western part of Bryansk Region is of interest for further research.

On morphological variability of some species of pennate (Bacillariophyta) from the reservoirs of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exclusion zone (Ukraine)

This scanning electron microscopy study of the morphology of pennate diatoms (Achnanthidium eutrophilum (Lange-Bertalot) Lange-Bertalot, Aneumastis stroesei Mann et Stickle, Gomphonema italicum Kützing, G. pala Reichardt, G. vibrio Ehrenberg, Punctastriata ovalis Williams et Round) from phytoperiphytic communities in the cooling pond of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and natural lakes of the Exclusion Zone (Glyboke and Daleke lakes) has revealed a higher variability in quantitative characteristics (valve length and width, number of striae in 10 µm). At the same time, no variability of qualitative features (shape of valve, axial and central area, raphe and striae arrangement) has been observed in these species. In A. eutrophilum, the number of striae in 10 µm differ from the published data, in A. stroesei – the valve length, in G. pala, G. vibrio and P. ovalis – the valve length and width. The range of variation in the number of striae in 10 µm in G. pala and the valve length and the number of striae in 10 µm in A. stroesei and G. italicum disagree with the literature data. The first electron micrographs of the inner surface of the valve and the corresponding data on its morphology are obtained for A. eutrophilum, A. stroesei, G. italicum, G. pala and G. vibrio.