Radiation Accidents: Medical Consequences and Radiation Protection Experience

A generalization of scientific-practical experience with radiation accidents in our country is presented for the example of 175 incidents, three large-scale accidents – Tech River (1949–1952), Mayak combine (1957), the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (1986) – and irradiation of the public as a result of the first nuclear explosion on the Semipalatinsk test area (1949). The medical consequences of these accidents for professional workers and the public are analyzed. It is noted that the most efficient and effective system for organizing medical assistance to the public exposed to accidental irradiation is a differentiated approach to irradiated individuals. The effectiveness of counterradiation protection of people is assessed. Experience gained in this work shows that timely and accurate monitoring of adherence and especially nonadherence to the regulations for accidental and post-accident irradiation of the public and professional workers is one of the most important guarantees for minimizing the consequences of irradiation.