DISASTER MEDICINE No. 3 •2026

doi: 10.33266/2070-1004-2026-3

Review article

Nuclear Legacy. Semipalatinsk Test Site: Past and Present

Kiselev S.M. 1, Zozul Yu. 1, Shinkarev S.M. 1

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¹ State Research Center – Burnasyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russian Federation

UDC 623.454.86:504.064 (574)

P. 37-49

 

Summary. Purpose of the study – to review of scientific research in the field of radiation protection, radioecology, and radiobiology at the unique research site of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site.

Materials and methods of the study. The review was based on the materials of the XI International Conference ‘Semipalatinsk Test Site: Heritage and Prospects for the Development of Scientific and Technical Potential’ (Kurchatov, Kazakhstan, October 4-11, 2025) and scientific publications related to radioecological and radiobiological studies conducted at the test site.

Results of the study. The paper examines the historical heritage of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site. It presents the results of modern studies by specialists from the IRSE (Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology) of the National Nuclear Center Republic of Kazakhstan, dedicated to the radiobiological and radioecological consequences of nuclear tests. The radiation exposure doses of the population living both on the territory of the test site and in adjacent settlements are analyzed. Predictive calculations of radiation exposure are presented for cases of potential residence and economic activity in this territory.

Conclusions. The accumulated experimental data and radioecological approaches at the territory of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site make it possible to move from descriptive analysis to the risk assessment and the development of predictive models of radiation safety for areas affected by radioactive contamination of nuclear test sites.

Key words: biota, environment, exposure doses, monitoring, nuclear legacy, population, Republic of Kazakhstan, Semipalatinsk nuclear test site

For citation: Kiselev S.M., Zozul Yu., Shinkarev S.M. Nuclear Legacy. Semipalatinsk Test Site: Past and Present. Meditsina Katastrof = Disaster Medicine. 2026;3:37-49 (In Russ.). Doi:10.33266/2070-1004-2026-3-37-49

 

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The material was received 17.02.26; the article after peer review procedure 15.06.26; the Editorial Board accepted the article for publication 16.09.26
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