Abstract
At STS in Kazakhstan, about 460 nuclear tests were performed between 1949 and 1989. Residents around STS were affected with chronic and repeated long-term exposure to low level mixed (external and internal) radiation. REA has been promoting ‘Study on Health Effects of Radiation in Residents in and around STS’ since 2001, with cooperation of NNC, and CSPRE. Data were collected from Archives, Citizen Registration Office, etc. As of the end of March, 2009, personal data (date of birth, sex, race, etc.) were collected for 131,700 persons, including 51,900 of exposed population. Among this population, number of persons whose residential history between 1949 and 1963 was obtained and thereby whose dose can be calculated, was 20,400. Out of the latter, vital status became clear for 16,800 persons (alive, 7,500; dead, 9,300). Control population was not used in statistical analysis at present, because it has not been long after study of this population had been initiated. Among causes of death in exposed population, circulatory disorders were 42%, followed by neoplasms (21%), mainly of esophagus and stomach. Individual radiation doses were calculated with use of calculating formula advocated by Ministry of Health, Russian Federation. Relationship between radiation dose and ICD-10-coded cause of death was analyzed using data of exposed population. Positive trend between effective dose and mortality from diseases of the circulatory system and ischemic heart diseases was suggested by the statistical analyses. (This study is a part of projects supported by Special Accounts from MEXT, Japan.)
