Health status of the population living in the zone of influence of radioactive waste repositories

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of diseases among the population depending on the length of residence in the zone of influence of technogenic factors of radioactive waste storage uranium-processing enterprise in Stepnogorsk. Material and Methods: The article presents the results of an observational epidemiological study on the impact of harmful factors of uranium mining enterprises on the health of the population living near radioactive waste storage facilities. The study covers 1,877 adults of both sexes. Group I primary (N=908) were represented by the population living in the villages of the Factory, Quartzite and Aksu, which are located in the surrounding area of the radioactive waste storage uranium-processing enterprises Hydrometallurgical plant of Stepnogorsk city and 972 constituting the control group. Results: The results revealed a high prevalence of chronic diseases in the population of the main group. Diseases of the circulatory system, respiratory diseases, diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue took the largest share in the structure of morbidity of the population of the main group. The pathology of the cardiovascular system, represented by essential arterial hypertension, as well as respiratory diseases, vertebrogenic lumbalgia and osteochondrosis, was the most characteristic for people living near radioactive waste storage facilities. Conclusion:Living conditions in the zone of influence of radioactive waste repositories determine the wide prevalence among the population of the main group living in the settlements of Zavodskoye and Aksu. The results of the study indicate an almost complete absence of healthy individuals living in the area. Diseases of cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal systems occupy the first rank places in the structure of disease prevalence among the population of the main group. Length of living near radioactive waste storage affect the formation and character of general somatic morbidity: increase the duration of life in the areas adjacent to the tailings, leading to increased incidence of chronic diseases.

Epidemiology of Somatic Diseases and Risk Factors in the Population Living in the Zone of Influence of Uranium Mining Enterprises of Kazakhstan: A Pilot Study

“…Once inside the human or animal body, transuranium radionuclides can be absorbed into the blood and enter the parenchymal organs. The deposition of uranium and its daughter radionuclides in organs and tissues can last from several days to several years, which may cause unpredictable negative health effects [ 27 , 28 ]. The accumulation of uranium mainly occurs in the bones, kidneys, and liver [ 29 ].…”

“…The results of pilot epidemiological studies in the uranium regions of Southern and Northern Kazakhstan exhibited significant differences. Among the population of the Stepnogorsk region, diseases of the circulatory system, the musculoskeletal system, and respiratory diseases were common [ 28 , 33 ]. Long-term low-level exposure may have caused the high prevalence of diseases of the cardiovascular system, which exists alongside the traditional risk factors [ 34 ].…”