Radionuclides1Defined by The National Cancer Institute as: “an unstable form of a chemical element that releases radiation as it breaks down and becomes more stable. Link. are present in our surroundings, originating from either natural processes or human activities. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, cancer is the major effect of concern from the radionuclides.2“Radionuclides (Including Radon, Radium and Uranium).” United States Environmental Protection Agency, April 1992. Link.
It is crucial to understand their distribution to grasp the extent of radiation exposure to humans. One study reveals that approximately 79% of the radiation we experience comes from natural sources, while medical applications contribute to 19%, and the remaining 2% is linked to nuclear power industry and nuclear weapons testing fallout.3Wild, Alan. Soils and the Environment. 1st ed. Cambridge University Press, 1993. Link. It is important to note, however, that these estimates widely vary.
Despite the diverse sources of radiation, public concern mainly revolves (arguably, rightly so) around the effects of manmade radionuclides released into the environment through two primary activities: atmospheric nuclear weapons testing and the operation of nuclear facilities.
These activities have significantly increased the presence of artificial radionuclides in our surroundings and led to contamination of vast areas of land worldwide. Understanding the impact of these human activities on our environment is critical in addressing public concerns and developing measures to mitigate their consequences.
Semipalatinsk (Semey) stands as the most heavily contaminated site among the Soviet nuclear test locations.
Recent specialized studies have revealed alarming levels of radioactive isotopes like 90Sr, 137Cs, 239+240Pu, and 241Am in the soil and vegetation of the Semipalatinsk region.4International Atomic Energy Agency. “Radiological Conditions at the Semipalatinsk Test Site, Kazakhstan:” Text. Radiological Conditions at the Semipalatinsk Test Site, Kazakhstan: International Atomic Energy Agency, 1999. Link.,5Kadyrzhanov, K. K., S. Khazhekber, V. P. Solodukhin, S. N. Lukashenko, I. V. Kazachevskiy, Ch. Rofer, V. L. Poznyak, et al. “Plutonium at the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site (SNTS).” Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry 263, no. 1 (January 1, 2005): 229–34. Link.
Even local water bodies are severely contaminated by radioactive uranium isotopes (234,235,238U), exceeding the World Health Organization’s maximum acceptable value of 15 μg/L.6Yamamoto, Masayoshi, Junpei Tomita, Aya Sakaguchi, Yoshihito Ohtsuka, Masaharu Hoshi, and Kazbek N. Apsalikov. “Uranium Isotopes in Well Water Samples as Drinking Sources in Some Settlements around the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site, Kazakhstan.” Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry 284, no. 2 (May 1, 2010): 309–14. Link.
The areas with the most critical contamination are Ground Zero, situated in the central-northern part of Semipalatinsk, and the Balapan Lake in the south-eastern central region. However, elevated levels of radioactivity were also recorded in the Tel’kem and Sary-Uzan areas.7International Atomic Energy Agency. “Radiological Conditions at the Semipalatinsk Test Site, Kazakhstan:” Text. Radiological Conditions at the Semipalatinsk Test Site, Kazakhstan: International Atomic Energy Agency, 1999. Link.
Even though Ground Zero and Balapan have no permanent human settlements, individuals visiting these locations daily are estimated to receive an annual effective dose of 10 mSv per day.8Ibid.
To put this in perspective, the worldwide individual average annual dose from all natural sources is only 2.4 mSv per year.9“Radiation in Everyday Life.” Text. IAEA, November 21, 2014. Link. If permanent settlements were to be established in these areas, the annual exposure could soar to approximately 140 mSv. In other words, due to the consequences of nuclear testing, the land in these areas is deemed unsuitable for permanent habitation. Such radiation levels far surpass the safety limits, posing significant health risks to any potential residents.
