Publication Laka-library:
International Chernobyl Project. Radiological Consequences in the USSR of the Chernobyl accident. Volume II
| Author | IAEA |
| Date | May 1991 |
| Classification | 2.34.8.10/26 (CHERNOBYL ACCIDENT - CONSEQUENCES SURROUNDINGS - GENERAL) |
| Front | 
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From the publication:
UNEDITED VERSION NOT TO BE QUOTED, REFERENCED OR REPRODUCED PART F F1. Introduction F1.l. Aims The main aims of the International Chernobyl Project Task 4 (Health effects) group were: (a) To determine the current health status of the population still living in contaminated settlements. (b) To determine which health problems, if any, are due to the Chernobyl accident but not to radiation exposure. (c) To determine which health effects, if any, are due directly to radiation exposure. (d) To determine what health effects may be expected in the future from various interventions or future countermeasures. Task 4 was directed solely at those individuals who are currently living outside the 30 km zone and who are in contaminated settlements at this time. It has not been concerned with the health of those who had already been evacuated or relocated, of the plant workers or of the decontamination workers. There are three control zones now based on the level of caesium deposition on the soil ( <5-15 Ci/km2 (185-555 kBq/m2); 15-40 Ci/km2 (555 kBq/m2 - 1.48 MBq/m2); >40 Ci/km2 ( > 1.48 MBq/m2)). The areas of contamination are not contiguous and there are areas of hot spots within settlements. In general, the highest areas show approximately 100 Ci/km2 of 137Cs. However, people have been living essentially continuously since the accident in settlements where the contamination levels exceed 40 Ci/km2 of 137Cs. Caesium body burdens in some areas of low contamination are higher than in highly contaminated areas. Some of this has to do with the soil quality and transfer factors in the soil and transfer to animals from place to place as well as with some people eating contaminated food in spite of published restrictions. Most of the area affected is undeveloped and represents a large number of rural and farming settlements. The total number of settlements in the USSR in the strict control zone is approximately 800. Many or most of the streets in the towns are unpaved. The areas that are contaminated are somewhat unusual not only because they are underdeveloped, but because they have special social structures that have existed for centuries and because their living and social structure is based on local agriculture. If the local agriculture does not continue, it is difficult to see how the small settlements will continue to exist.
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