Nuclear abnormalities in aspirated thyroid cells and chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes of residents near the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site

Chromosomal studies in peripheral lymphocytes from 63 residents near the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, at ages of 52–63 years old, were performed in 2001–2002. A higher rate of chromosome aberrations was observed in the two contaminated villages, Dolon and Sarjal, compared with the control village, Kokpekti. Moreover, a relationship of frequency of cells with radiation induced chromosome aberrations and the previously estimated exposure dose was observed. Furthermore, apparent nuclear abnormalities (ANA) of thyroid follicular cells were studied in 30 out of 63 residents, who were examined for chromosome aberrations. A higher rate of ANA was also found in the residents in the exposed villages compared with those in the control village. These results suggest radiation effects both on the chromosomes in peripheral lymphocytes and on the follicular cells in the thyroid

Nuclear abnormalities in aspirated thyroid cells and chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes of residents near the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site

Chromosomal studies in peripheral lymphocytes from 63 residents near the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, at ages of 52–63 years old, were performed in 2001–2002. A higher rate of chromosome aberrations was observed in the two contaminated villages, Dolon and Sarjal, compared with the control village, Kokpekti. Moreover, a relationship of frequency of cells with radiation induced chromosome aberrations and the previously estimated exposure dose was observed. Furthermore, apparent nuclear abnormalities (ANA) of thyroid follicular cells were studied in 30 out of 63 residents, who were examined for chromosome aberrations. A higher rate of ANA was also found in the residents in the exposed villages compared with those in the control village. These results suggest radiation effects both on the chromosomes in peripheral lymphocytes and on the follicular cells in the thyroid

Radiological Situation in the Vicinity of Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site: Dolon, Mostik, Cheremushka and Budene Settlements

The present situation of radioactive contamination at the village of Dolon and nearby villages such as Mostik, Cheremushka and Budene was investigated to serve as an aid to resolve dose discrepancy between model calculations and TL measurements made for external gamma-ray dose in air in Dolon. The paper was focused on the reevaluation of the accumulated levels and distribution of long-lived radionuclides 137Cs and Pu isotopes in soil using long core samples up to a depth of 30 and 100 cm. The inventories of 137Cs and 239,240Pu found were in the wide range of 140-10,310 and 140-14,320 Bq/m2, respectively. Most of the Pu in soil was tightly incorporated into various sizes of fused particles. Both 137Cs and 239,240Pu in soil were accumulated in the smaller soil size fraction of <125 μm, and the presence of hot particles, probably due to Pu, was clearly observed by star-like patterns from α-tracks. The obtained data will be helpful for evaluating the current and future radiation risks to the people living around there

Plutonium and Uranium in Human Bones from Areas surrounding the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site

To evaluate the present levels of 239,240Pu and U in residents living near the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, more than 70 bone samples were obtained at autopsy. The subjects ranged in age from 30 to 86 years (mean 59.3±12.9). Most of the samples consisted of victims who died of various diseases. Plutonium and U were radiochemically separated and determined by α-ray spectrometry. The mean concentrations of 239,240Pu and 238U observed were 0.050±0.041 mBq/g-ash (vertebrae 71, long-bones 18) and 0.28±0.13 mBq/g-ash (22.8±10.6 μg U/kg-ash) (vertebrae 58, long bones 16), respectively. The present 239,240Pu levels were within the range found for human bone samples from other countries due solely to global fallout in the early 1980s. The average U concentration was close to the estimate (mean 22.5 μg U/kg-ash) for the UK, and about 10 times higher than those estimated for residents in New York City and Japan. By assuming that the average concentration of 239,240Pu in bone samples is the value at 45 years after instantaneous inhalation in 1955, the initial total intake and the effective dose for 45 years were estimated as 10 Bq and 0.2 mSv, respectively. The annual intake of total U (234,235,238U) and its effective dose for 60 years were estimated as 30 Bq for adult and 0.1 mSv, respectively, for chronic ingestion