Research on the radiation exposure among inhabitants near the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

We conducted the questionnaire surveys in villages near the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Tests Site. The total number of replies was 612 and that of testimonies was 542. We clarified the psychological effects and their causes among residents by using the surveys and interviews from 2002 until 2012. The results are (1)17.3 % of residents reported psychological symptoms.(2)The residents in Kainar, Saryzhal, and Dolon reported higher percentages of psychological symptoms.(3)Some symptoms could potentially be related to bad health conditions, distance from the center of the explosions, and concrete experiences of nuclear tests (seeing flush lights etc.). Our results suggest that the understanding or awareness of exposure to radiation is one of the main causes of its psychological impact on residents. Bad health conditions and distance from the center of the explosions might also influence the psychological impact on residents.