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Publication Laka-library:
Contamination map of Southern Ural (1996)

AuthorUral Res.Centre for Irrad.. Medicine
Date1996
Classification 2.34.8.80/05 (RUSSIA - MAYAK/CHELYABINSK (incl. Disaster Kyshtym Urals 1957))
Front

From the publication:

URALS RESEARCH CENTRE FOR RADIATION MEDICINE (URCRM)

OBJECTIVE FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF URCRM

The objectives of the Urals Research Centre for Radiation Medicine (URCRM) are as 
follows: to conduct research into medical effects of irradiation, to study early and 
long-term health effects and genetic risks, to develop prophylactic measures for the 
population residing in the Southern Urals, the territory characterised by an 
unprecedented combination of the hazardous radiation situation, high level of 
industrial pollution, environmental degradation, low standards of social security 
and health care.

BACKGROUND

In 1948 a plant producing weapon - grade plutonium was put into operation in the 
Chelyabinsk region near the town of Kyshtym. International tension and lack of 
experience were the main reasons due to which the plant was started without 
appropriate scientific evaluation of human health problems and environmental 
protection. The storage of large volumes of high - level nuclear waste from plutonium 
separation became the most vulnerable link in this technological chain. It is due to 
imperfect methods of nuclear waste storage that the three radiation accidents occurred 
in the Southern Urals. The population was exposed to the combined external and 
internal irradiation. As a result of the accidents of 1949 - 1952 and 1957 the 
territory of the Chelyabinsk region became the most contaminated area in Russia.
During the period from 1949 through 1951 high level wastes from the military 
plant in Chelyabinsk - 40 were released into the river Techa and caused
contamination of the water basin of the Ob river - system on the territories of
the Chelyabinsk and Kurgan regions.

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