PREVALENCE OF ALLERGIC REACTIONS IN CHERN OBYL ACCIDENT LIQUIDATORS

The 1992-1995 prevalence rates of allergic reactions in the groups of Chernobyl accident liquidators residing in Obninsk and its adults were studied (n = 1,000). In the group of the liquidators, the prevalence was much higher than among the adults, the former tending to higher ra tes of the abnormalities under study. The greatest differences were fo und in the groups of patients with allergic rhinitis and urticarial. T he population of the town tends to have higher prevalence rates of bro nchial asthma. Thus, immunological changes induced by the adverse infl uence of radiation accident despite their compensatory and adaptative nature are an objective prerequisite for the occurrence of allergic re actions.