Dose Reconstruction for Residents Near the Former Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Sites with a Focus on the Study of Radiation Health Effects

Abstract

A study on radiation health effects for residents around the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site has been conducted by REA of Japan and NNC of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In this study, we established a new cohort. The present paper describes the method for individual dose estimation relevant to the consequences of nuclear tests for residents in 10 villages around the test site and presents part of the results. External doses were calculated based on air dose rates reported in the literature soon after the nuclear tests. Internal doses due to inhalation were estimated based on the air concentration of radionuclides calculated from the air dose rate. Internal doses due to ingestion were estimated based on the ground deposition of radionuclides calculated based on the air dose rate. The external dose was much higher than the internal dose. The total dose varied by village, with the highest dose observed in Chermushki followed by Dolon, Sarjal, Karaul, and Akubulak. These results are in reasonable agreement with doses reported by others so far.