Early Medical Consequences of the Radiation Accidents in the Former USSR Territory
The paper sums up the information on radiation incidents at the former USSR territory, which incidents are related to the human exposure of clinically significant effects. Within more than 60 years (since 1949), at least 356 radiation incidents accompanied by the clinically significant human exposure have happened at the former USSR territory, which has resulted to clinically significant health effects in 765 victims. This exposed cohort includes 348 acute radiation sickness (ARS) patients including cases aggravated by local radiation injuries (LRI). 407 victims were affected by local radiation injuries only. Totally, 71 radiation induced fatalities were observed within first 3—4 months after the irradiation. The maximum adverse effects as a result of accidental exposure of radiation incidents in the former USSR territory, had a place for professional workers whose work is associated with sources of ionizing radiation.