Radiation in Kazakhstan

Facts about Kazakhstan First and largest space launch site: Baikonur Holiday: The new year is Nauruz on March 22, the spring equinox Crops: Apples were first cultivated there First civalization: Scythian people

Background 1920-1991: Kazakhstan was part of the Soviet Union Used land near Semey for nuclear testing The land is on the Kazakh Steppe People there are farmers and herders

Nuclear Explosions Tests from 1949-1989 456 nuclear tests occurred 116 atmospheric tests 340 underground tests Closed August 29,1991 after an anti-nuclear protests Second largest nuclear complex in the world First thermonuclear bomb and hydrogen bomb developed there

People living there 200,000 people lived in that area during People were studied to see dangers of radiation Doctors did find health problems but did not blame them on the radiation Until 1991, the problems were kept secret

Effects on the Land Test site is 19,000km2 Area affected is 30,400km2 Soil, air and water are highly contaminated Now, people are told it is safe to live and farm there "Atomic lake" formed by an explosion

Effects on the People One in 20 children are born with birth defects Those with deformities are sent to orphanages to die Half of the population is dead by 60 Many people suffer from types of cancer

Solutions Proper tests should be done to determine the severity of the situation The land must be evacuated Government should provide healthcare to those with radiation caused diseases