PDF copy of 2009 book

Yablokov et al.: Consequences of the Chernobyl Catastrophe 325• Annual individual determination of actuallevels of incorporated radionuclides usinga whole-body radiation counter (for children,this must be done quarterly).• Reconstruction of all individual externalirradiation levels from the initial period afterthe catastrophe using EPR-dosimetryand measurement of chromosomal aberrations,etc. This should include all victims,including those who left contaminatedareas—liquidators, evacuees, andvoluntary migrants and their children.• Obligatory genetic consultations in thecontaminated territories (and voluntary forall citizens of childbearing age) for the risksof severe congenital malformations in offspring.Using the characteristics and spectraof mutations in the blood or bone marrowof future parents, it is possible to definethe risk of giving birth to a child with severegenetic malformations and thus avoidfamily tragedies.• Prenatal diagnosis of severe congenitalmalformations and support for programsfor medical abortions for families livingin the contaminated territories of Belarus,Ukraine, and Russia.• Regular oncological screening and preventiveand anticipatory medical practicesfor the population of the contaminatedterritories.9. The Chernobyl catastrophe clearly showsthat it is impossible to provide protection fromthe radioactive fallout using only national resources.In the first 20 years the direct economicdamage to Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia has exceeded500 billion dollars. To mitigate some ofthe consequences, Belarus spends about 20% ofits national annual budget, Ukraine up to 6%,and Russia up to 1%. Extensive internationalhelp will be needed to protect children for atleast the next 25 to 30 years, especially thosein Belarus because radionuclides remain in theroot layers of the soil.10. Failure to provide stable iodine in April1986 for those in the contaminated territoriesled to substantial increases in the number ofvictims. Thyroid disease is one of the first consequenceswhen a nuclear power plant fails,so a dependable system is needed to get thissimple chemical to all of those in the path ofnuclear fallout. It is clear that every countrywith nuclear power plants must help all countriesstockpile potassium iodine in the event ofanother nuclear plant catastrophe.11. The tragedy of Chernobyl shows thatsocieties everywhere (and especially in Japan,France, India, China, the United States, andGermany) must consider the importance of independentradiation monitoring of both foodand individual irradiation levels with the aimof ameliorating the danger and preventing additionalharm.12. Monitoring of incorporated radionuclides,especially in children, is necessaryaround every nuclear power plant. This monitoringmust be independent of the nuclear industryand the data results must be made availableto the public.15.7. Organizations Associatedwith the Nuclear Industry Protectthe Industry First—Not the Public1. An important lesson from the Chernobylexperience is that experts and organizationstied to the nuclear industry have dismissed andignored the consequences of the catastrophe.2. Within only 8 or 9 years after the catastrophea universal increase in cataracts was admittedby medical officials. The same occurredwith thyroid cancer, leukemia, and organic centralnervous system disorders. Foot-dragging inrecognizing obvious problems and the resultantdelays in preventing exposure and mitigatingthe effects lies at the door of nuclear power advocatesmore interested in preserving the statusquo than in helping millions of innocentpeople who are suffering through no faultof their own. It need to change officialagreement between WHO and IAEA (WHO,1959) providing hiding from public of any