Chelyabinsk Travel Forum

The people with lower than 30 years old, had or have the efects ok the radioactivati?

I can't answer for certian on this, but one thing I am aware of is that the nearby lake is considered a disaster area with VERY high radiation levels and people are directed NOT to drink or fish from the lake. However, unemployment is very high in the area and mosgt do not have an option but to drink the water and fish, so they do. This was not due to the meltdown though, this was because the power plant was dumping the radioactive waste INTO the lake. Also, I do remember reading recently that there are very high levels of thyroid problems and other radioactive illnises in the area and that over 85% of the population of Chelyabinsk suffers from chronic health problems. I might be traveling htere to do some work in the upcoming months, if that is the case I will find out a bit more for you while there.

Doesn't radioactivity affect people equally regardless of age?? Why did you mention an age of under 30? If it's dangerous for ANYone!

I think he mentioned the age issue because of the nuclear meltdown that happened there about 45 years ago.....I think he is wondering if the radiation levels are still so high from that that it has been effecting this generation

You are getting Chelyabinsk city confused with Ozersk which used to be called Chelyabinsk-70 and was a secret city. It is still closed to outsiders, even Russians, unless they have special permission. It is about 2 hours drive north of Chelyabinsk city and the explosion at the Mayak nuclear plant was the worst ever nuclear incident until Chernobyl. But nevertheless, Mayak was not that big. It left a radioactive trace 10-20 km wide stretching northwest from Ozersk for about 300 km. This area was evacuated and basically abandoned. If you take the bus to Ekaterinburg it goes through this area and if you keep an eye out for the road signs to Kyshtym to the west, then you will be passing through the contaminated zone. In summer it is lush and green because all the fields have been abandoned so the forest is slowly invading the grass and wildflowers. Very beautiful spot.

There has been some small amount of radioactive contamination in one of the neighborhoods in the northern part of Chelyabinsk city but you needn't worry because you won't get close enough to that. This neighborhood has defense industries in it and is closed to foreigners.

The only people really affected by the radioactivity are the ones who lived in villages in or near the contaminated zone.