CUMULATIVE RADIATION-DOSES AND EPIDEMIOLO GIC INVESTIGATION IN THE CHERNOBYL REGION

Individual biological dosimetry covering chromosomal analysis and elec tronic paramagnetic resonance spectrometry has been performed in 1300 subjects exposed to ionizing radiation after the Chernobyl accident. C umulative radiation doses above 40 ImC were registered in 5 %, about 1 00 ImC in 1 % of the examinees. In 1 % of cytogenetic investigations t here appeared multiaberrant cells indicative of hot particle incorpora tion. Regional epidemiologists do not record changes in the incidence of hematological diseases. This may be explained by a small percent of the dose carriers, rare occurrence of hematological disorders and the time of radiation-induced oncogenic effects. The above representative group exposed to definite radiation doses may serve the subject of ep idemiological surveys on the role of low-dose and low-rate radiation i n pathogenesis of human diseases.