Chernobyl - Ten years after

1996 - Volume 38, Issue 3 | by Gonzalez, A.J. (International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria). Div. of Radiation and Waste Safety) | A decade later, in April 1996, more than 800 experts from 71 countries and 20 organizations, observed by over 200 journalists, met to review the Chernobyl accident's actual and possible future consequences, and to put these into proper perspective. They came together at the ... Read more »

One decade after Chernobyl: The basis for decisions

1996 - Volume 38, Issue 3 | by International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria) | Although much has been learned about the tragic Chernobyl accident of 26 April 1986 over the past 10 years, important issues remain to be resolved. In efforts to set the factual framework for the international community's ongoing assistance, the IAEA, European Commission (EC), ... Read more »

Post-Chernobyl scientific perspectives: Environmental consequences

1996 - Volume 38, Issue 3 | by Dreicer, M. (US); Alexakhin, R. (Institute of Agricultural Radiology and Agroecology, Obnisnk (Russian Federation)) | Presented here is a brief summary of recent estimates of the initial releases to the environment as a result of the Chernobyl accident, the observed impacts from increased levels of radiation on plants and animals near the site, and the transport of radionuclides in the ... Read more »

Post-Chernobyl scientific perspectives: Social/psychological effects

1996 - Volume 38, Issue 3 | by Drottz-Sjoeberg, B.M. (Centre for Risk Research (Sweden)); Rumyantseva, G.M. (Serbsky Center of Social and Forensic Psychiatry, Moscow (Russian Federation)); Nyagu, A.I. (Institute of Radiation Medicine, Kiev (Ukraine)); Ageeva, L.A. (Institute of Sociolo | Previous studies had shown that psychological problems associated with the Chernobyl accident were not decreasing with time. People experienced exposure to real risks, and resettled people often provided the highest risk ratings. Responses to a question about the ability to ... Read more »

Post-Chernobyl scientific perspectives: Clinically observed effects

1996 - Volume 38, Issue 3 | by Wagemaker, G. (Erasmus Univ., Rotterdam (Netherlands)); Guskova, A.K. (Institute of Biophysics, Moscow (Russian Federation)); Bebeshko, V.G. (Scientific Centre of Radiation Medicine, Kiev (Ukraine)); Griffiths, N.M. (ISPN, Fontenay aux Roses (France)) | Among the victims of the Chernobyl accident were people who were accidentally exposed to high doses of radiation. Such high-dose exposures, which acutely and severely affect blood cell production, resistance against infections, and intestinal functions, may result in severe ... Read more »

Post-Chernobyl scientific perspectives: Thyroid effects

1996 - Volume 38, Issue 3 | by Williams, E.D. (Cambridge Univ. (United Kingdom)); Pinchera, A. (Pisa Univ. (Italy)); Becker, D. (Cornell Univ., New York, NY (United States). Medical Center); Demidchik, E.P. (State Medical Inst. (Belarus)); Nagataki, S. (Nagasaki Univ. School of Medicin | The population in the area around Chernobyl, particularly southern Belarus and northern Ukraine, was exposed to high levels of fallout from the Chernobyl accident including large amounts of radioactive iodine. As the thyroid gland concentrates iodine, it was exposed to higher ... Read more »

Post-Chernobyl scientific perspectives: Health effects

1996 - Volume 38, Issue 3 | by Mettler, F.A. (New Mexico Univ., Albuquerque, NM (United States)) | The ICP was specifically designed to study issues related to persons still living on highly contaminated territories. These persons were continuing to receive radiation exposure and there were pressing issues related to intervention and potential dose reduction. It was well ... Read more »

Post-Chernobyl scientific perspectives: Long-term health effects

1996 - Volume 38, Issue 3 | by Cardis, E. (International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon (France)); Okeanov, A.E. (Centre for Medical Technology (Belarus)); Ivanov, V.K. (Medical Radiological Research Centre (Russian Federation)); Prisyazhniuk, A. (Scientific Centre for Radiation M | If the experience of the survivors of the Japan atomic bombing and of other exposed populations is applicable, the major expected radiological impact of the Chernobyl accident will be deaths from cancer. The total lifetime numbers of excess cancer deaths will be greatest among ... Read more »

Post-Chernobyl scientific perspectives: Agricultural countermeasures

1996 - Volume 38, Issue 3 | by Richards, J.I. (International Atomic Energy Agency, Seibersdorf (Austria). FAO/IAEA Agriculture and Biotechnology Lab.); Hance, R.J. (Joint FAO/IAEA Div. of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna (Austria). Agrochemicals and Residues Section) | One of the lessons of Chernobyl is that farming is vulnerable to the effects of a nuclear accident hundreds, even thousands, of miles away from the site. Therefore plans are needed for countermeasures that can reduce contamination of agricultural produce, regardless of whether ... Read more »

Post-Chernobyl scientific perspectives: Nuclear safety aspects

1996 - Volume 38, Issue 3 | by Lederman, L. (International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria). Safety Assesment Section) | This article features excerpts of the conclusions of the Safety Forum related to the safety of Chernobyl-type reactors (RBMKs) and to conditions at the site of the Chernobyl plant itself ... Read more »