Chornobyl 30 years later: Radiation, pregnancies, and developmental anomalies in Rivne, Ukraine

Autor: Wladimir Wertelecki, Diana Akhmedzhanova, Lyubov Yevtushok, Serhiy Lapchenko, Bogdana Ievtushok, Oleksandr Komov, Christina D. Chambers, Natalya Zymak-Zakutnya, Zoriana Sosyniuk
Rok vydání: 2016
Předmět:
Zdroj: European journal of medical genetics. 60(1)
ISSN: 1878-0849
2000-2009
Popis: In the 30 years since the Chornobyl nuclear power plant disaster, there is evidence of persistent levels of incorporated ionizing radiation in adults, children and pregnant women in the surrounding area. Measured levels of Cesium-137 vary by region, and may be influenced by dietary and water sources as well as proximity to nuclear power plants. Since 2000, comprehensive, population-based birth defects monitoring has been performed in selected regions of Ukraine to evaluate trends and to generate hypotheses regarding potential causes of unexplained variations in defect rates. Significantly higher rates of microcephaly, neural tube defects, and microphthalmia have been identified in selected regions of Ukraine collectively known as Polissia compared to adjacent regions collectively termed non-Polissia, and these significantly higher rates were evident particularly in the years 2000-2009. The Polissia regions have also demonstrated higher mean whole body counts of Cesium-137 compared to values in individuals residing in other non-Polissia regions. The potential causal relationship between persistent ionizing radiation pollution and selected congenital anomaly rates supports the need for a more thorough, targeted investigation of the sources of persistent ionizing radiation and the biological plausibility of a potential teratogenic effect.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
Externí odkaz: