Search Results (14)

The secondary sex ratio (SSR), defined as the ratio of male to female births in a population, has long been a subject of scientific inquiry due to its potential as a health indicator. The interplay between catastrophic events and the delicate balance of male and female births presents a nuanced and compelling study area. Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and volcanic eruptions, have been known to disrupt ecosystems and human populations, leading to both short-term and long-term consequences. Studies have suggested a potential influence of these disasters on the SSR, with varying degrees of impact observed across different regions and disaster types. Similarly, nuclear accidents, such as the infamous Chernobyl disaster, have sparked interest in their potential effects on human health and development. The release of radioactive materials into the environment can have far-reaching consequences, including impacts on reproductive outcomes. Through a rigorous examination of the existing literature, the present review aims to synthesize current knowledge on the impacts of natural disasters and nuclear accidents on the SSR and unravel the mechanisms that explain SSR fluctuations. By shedding light on the diverse influences shaping the SSR, this narrative review contributes to a deeper appreciation of the intricate interplay between environmental, biological, and societal factors that determines the SSR, calling for targeted strategies to mitigate potential adverse effects on sex ratios in the aftermath of such events. Full article

The Visegrad Group, comprising Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia, has several common features, including their geographical proximity, membership in the EU and NATO, and similar levels of economic development. However, they also have significant differences. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has exposed new disagreements among them, particularly regarding how to ensure energy security amid a changing geopolitical landscape and the issue of sanctions on Russian energy supplies. Despite these differences, the Visegrad Group countries have shown unity in their approach to nuclear power. Although their use of nuclear technology varies, they have recently aligned their nuclear energy policies. Czechia and Slovakia have a long history with nuclear technology, dating back to the 1970s, while Hungary began its nuclear program in the 1980s. Poland, which had paused its nuclear program after the Chernobyl disaster, has recently resumed its nuclear energy efforts. All four countries aim to expand their nuclear energy capacity to either maintain or increase its share in their electricity mix. This paper provides a comparative analysis of their nuclear energy policies, focusing on the political initiatives driving advancements in this field. It argues that these nations see nuclear energy as crucial for creating a resilient, crisis-resistant, and secure energy sector. Full article

In view of the complexity and importance of nuclear research reactor (NRR) installations, it is imperative to uphold high standards of reliability and quality in the electricity being supplied to them. In this paper, the performance of low-voltage (LV) distribution feeders integrated with NRRs is improved in terms of reduced distribution loss, improved voltage profile, and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by determining the optimal location and size of photovoltaic (PV) systems. In the second stage, the power quality of the feeder is optimized by reducing the total harmonic distortion (THD) by optimally allocating D-STATCOM units. In the third and fourth stages, the reliability and resilience aspects of the feeder are optimized using optimal network reconfiguration (ONR) and by integrating an energy storage system (ESS). To solve the non-linear complex optimization problems at all these stages, an efficient meta-heuristic Chernobyl disaster optimizer (CDO) is proposed. Simulations are performed on a modified IEEE 33-bus feeder considering the non-linear characteristics of NRRs, variability of the feeder loading profile, and PV variability. The study reveals that the proposed methodology can significantly improve the service requirements of NRRs for attaining sustainable research activities. Full article

In the more contaminated northeastern region of the Czech Republic (Moravian-Silesian Region) in 2018 and 2019, soil samples and selected agricultural and forestry products were collected. The contamination of the environment was caused by radioactive cesium ¹³⁷Cs from the nuclear Chernobyl disaster, and the activity concentration of ¹³⁷Cs was determined in all soil samples taken, ranging from 0.177 Bq kg⁻¹ dry matter (dm) to up to 299 Bq kg⁻¹ dm, with an arithmetic mean of 38.4 Bq kg⁻¹ dm. The activity concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs of agricultural and forestry products ranged from <0.02 Bq kg⁻¹ to 1390 Bq kg⁻¹ dm, and the transfer factors calculated based on these varied from 0.011 to 31 with an arithmetic mean of 3.4, with the highest values found in forest ecosystem products. The transfer factors and annual committed effective dose was calculated. It was statistically proven that the level of soil contamination with ¹³⁷Cs is related to the altitude and intensity of the precipitation in April and May of 1986, after the Chernobyl NPP accident. Full article

Background: The Chernobyl nuclear disaster is still considered the worst nuclear accident in history. The particles were dispersed over the former USSR and large parts of Western Europe, leading to radioactive exposure to more than 10 million people. Radioactivity is a risk factor for the development of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), since radiation-induced mutations in both Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway genes and TP53 have been described. Methods: We present the case of a patient with a history of radiation exposure following the 1986 Chernobyl accident who presented to our outpatient clinic with recurrent basal cell carcinoma in the facial region. Case: The patient presented to our clinic with two facial lesions suspicious for BCC. Although there were no typical risk factors, 11 BCCs had previously been removed. The patient had been building shelters for the construction workers working on the sarcophagus around the destroyed reactor immediately after the 1986 accident. Staging using an 18F-FDG-PET/CT as well as ultrasound of the abdomen revealed no other tumor manifestations. Diagnostic excision of the two facial lesions was performed, and a histopathological workup revealed BCC at the right temporal region and acanthopapillomatosis with no sign of malignancy at the corner of the mouth. After presentation to the tumor board, complete resection of the BCC was initiated. Conclusions: This case demonstrates the value of early use of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in staging/restaging to visualize BCC location, local spread and potential metastases or secondary tumors and to aid in the decision for therapeutic management. Full article

The “Chernobyl nuclear disaster” released huge amounts of radionuclides, which are still detectable in plants and sediments today. Bryophytes (mosses) are primitive land plants lacking roots and protective cuticles and therefore readily accumulate multiple contaminants, including metals and radionuclides. This study quantifies ¹³⁷Cs and ²⁴¹Am in moss samples from the cooling pond of the power plant, the surrounding woodland and the city of Prypiat. Activity concentrations of up to 297 Bq/g (¹³⁷Cs) and 0.43 Bq/g (²⁴¹Am) were found. ¹³⁷Cs contents were significantly higher at the cooling pond, where ²⁴¹Am was not detectable. Distance to the damaged reactor, amount of original fallout, presence of vascular tissue in the stem or taxonomy were of little importance. Mosses seem to absorb radionuclides rather indiscriminately, if available. More than 30 years after the disaster, ¹³⁷Cs was washed out from the very top layer of the soil, where it is no more accessible for rootless mosses but possibly for higher plants. On the other hand, ¹³⁷Cs still remains solved and accessible in the cooling pond. However, ²⁴¹Am remained adsorbed to the topsoil, thus accessible to terrestrial mosses, but precipitated in the sapropel of the cooling pond. Full article

Mosses have been widely used as biomonitors of a variety of atmospheric pollutants, including radionuclides. Here we determine the radionuclide activity concentration of ²¹⁰Pb, ¹³⁷Cs, ⁷Be, and ⁴⁰K in moss tissue (Hylocomium splendens) collected from 24 sites across Ireland and assess the influence of precipitation on radionuclide spatial distribution. Lead-210 was the most abundant radionuclide (range: 226–968 Bq kg^–1), followed by ⁷Be (range: <DL—604 Bq kg^–1), ⁴⁰K (range: <DL—155 Bq kg^–1), and ¹³⁷Cs (range: <DL—41 Bq kg^–1). Albeit nearly thirty years since the Chernobyl disaster, ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration was detected at 67% of the study sites; however, the spatial distribution was not fully consistent with the 1986 Chernobyl deposition pattern. Rather, ¹³⁷Cs was weakly correlated with rainfall, with higher concentrations along the west coast, suggesting that the 2011 Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear accident was also a potential source. Average annual rainfall was a significant predictor of ²¹⁰Pb activity (linear regression, R² = 0.63, p < 0.001). As such, the highest radionuclide activity was observed for ²¹⁰Pb (average: 541 Bq kg^–1), owing to the high levels of precipitation across the study sites (average: 1585 mm). In contrast, ⁷Be or ⁴⁰K were not correlated with precipitation; rather, ⁴⁰K and ⁷Be were significantly correlated to each other (r_s = 0.7), suggesting that both radionuclides were transferred from the substrate or through soil re-suspension. Precipitation is widely reported as an important factor in the spatial distribution of radionuclides; however, only ²¹⁰Pb activity concentrations in moss were strongly influenced by precipitation in the current study. Full article

This Perspective highlights the lingering consequences of nuclear disasters by examining the risks posed by wildfires that rerelease radioactive fallout originally deposited into the environment by accidents at nuclear power plants or testing of nuclear weapons. Such wildfires produce uncontainable, airborne, and hazardous smoke, which potentially carries radioactive material, thus becoming the specter of the original disaster. As wildfires occur more frequently with climate change and land use changes, nuclear wildfires present a pressing yet little discussed problem among wildfire management and fire scholars. The problem requires urgent attention due to the risks it poses to the health and wellbeing of wildland firefighters, land stewards, and smoke-impacted communities. This Perspective explains the problem, outlines future research directions, suggests potential solutions, and underlines the broader benefits of mitigating the risks. Full article

This narrative review synthesizes the literature on the psychological consequences of the Three Mile Island nuclear accident of 1979, the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986, and the Fukushima nuclear disaster of 2011. A search was conducted on OVID for studies in English from 1966 to 2020. Fifty-nine studies were included. Living through a nuclear disaster is associated with higher levels of PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Decontamination workers, those living in closest proximity to the reactor, and evacuees experience higher rates of mental health problems after a nuclear disaster. Those with greater psychological resilience and social supports experience lower rates of psychological distress. Individual-level interventions, such as mindfulness training, behavioral activation, and cognitive reappraisal training, have shown modest benefits on improving psychological wellbeing. At the population level, many of the measures in place aimed at reducing exposure to radiation actually increase individuals’ anxiety. Technology-based supports have been studied in other types of natural disasters and it may be beneficial to look at mobile-based interventions for future nuclear disasters. Full article

Ionising radiation (IR) is an environmental factor known to alter genomes and therefore challenge organisms to adapt. Lithuanian clean-up workers of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster (LCWC) experienced high doses of IR, leading to different consequences. This study aims to characterise a unique protective genomic variation in a relatively healthy LCWC group. This variation influenced their individual reaction to IR and potentially protects against certain diseases such as exfoliation syndrome and glaucoma. Clinical and IR dosage data were collected using a questionnaire to characterise the cohort of 93 LCWC. Genome-wide genotyping using Illumina beadchip technology was performed. The control group included 466 unrelated, self-reported healthy individuals of Lithuanian descent. Genotypes were filtered out from the microarray dataset using a catalogue of SNPs. The data were used to perform association, linkage disequilibrium, and epistasis analysis. Phenotype data analysis showed the distribution of the most common disease groups among the LCWC. A genomic variant of statistical significance (Fishers’ exact test, p = 0.019), rs3825942, was identified in LOXL1 (NM_005576.4:c.458G>A). Linkage disequilibrium and epistasis analysis for this variant identified the genes LHFPL3, GALNT6, PIH1D1, ANKS1B, and METRNL as potentially involved in the etiopathogenesis of exfoliation syndrome and glaucoma, which were not previously associated with the disease. The LOXL1 variant is mostly considered a risk factor in the development of exfoliation syndrome and glaucoma. The influence of recent positive selection, the phenomenon of allele-flipping, and the fact that only individuals with the homozygous reference allele have glaucoma in the cohort of the LCWC suggest otherwise. The identification of rs3825942 and other potentially protective genomic variants may be useful for further analysis of the genetic architecture and etiopathogenetic mechanisms of other multifactorial diseases. Full article

For 34 years since the 1986 nuclear disaster, the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (ChEZ) landscapes have been protected with very limited human interventions. Natural afforestation has largely occurred throughout the abandoned farmlands, while natural disturbance regimes, which dominantly include wildfires, have become more frequent and severe in the last years. Here, we utilize the dense time series of Landsat satellite imagery (1986–2020) processed by using the temporal segmentation algorithm LandTrendr in order to derive a robust land cover and forest mask product for the ChEZ. Additionally, we carried out an analysis of land cover transitions on the former farmlands. The Random Forest classification model developed here has achieved overall accuracies of 80% (using training data for 2017) and 89% on a binary “forest/non-forest” validation (using data from 1988). The total forest cover area within the ChEZ has increased from 41% (in 1986) to 59% (in 2020). This forest gain can be explained by the afforestation that has occurred in abandoned farmlands, which compensates for forest cover losses due to large fire events in 1992, 2015–2016, and 2020. Most transitions from open landscapes to dense forest cover occurred after the year 2000 and are possibly linked to past forest management practices. We conclude that a consistent forest strategy, with the aid of remote monitoring, is required to efficiently manage new forests in the ChEZ in order to retain their ecosystem functions and to ensure sustainable habitats. Full article

Many individuals who were affected by the Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami and the subsequent Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident continue to face a challenging recovery. We reviewed the long-term mental health consequences of three major nuclear power plant accidents: the Three Mile Island (TMI, 1979), Chernobyl (1986), and Fukushima (2011) nuclear disasters. We examined the relevant prospective cohort studies and before-and-after studies that covered more than two timepoints, searching four databases (PubMed, Ichushi, PsyArticles, and PTSDPub). We identified a total of 35 studies: TMI, n = 11; Chernobyl, n = 6; and Fukushima, n = 18. The smaller numbers of early-phase studies (within 6 months) of the Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters may also indicate the chaotic situation at those timepoints, as large-scale interviews were conducted in the early phase after the TMI disaster. Although the patterns of effects on mental health outcomes were diverse, more than half of the participants in the studies we evaluated were categorized into low or under-threshold symptom groups in all three disasters. Across the three disasters, the radiation exposure level estimated by the proximity and stigma were the common risk factors for mental health outcomes. Our findings will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the impact of the worst nuclear accidents in history on the affected individuals’ mental health, and our results illustrate the longitudinal consequences of such disasters. Full article

There is a growing interest for scientists and society to acquire deep knowledge on the impacts from environmental disasters. The present work deals with the investigation of vegetation dynamics in the Chernobyl area, a place widely known for the devastating nuclear disaster on the 26th of April 1986. To unveil any possible long-term radiation effects on vegetation phenology, the remotely sensed normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) was analyzed within the 30 km Exclusion Zone, where all human activities were ceased at that time and public access and inhabitation have been prohibited ever since. The analysis comprised applications of seasonal trend analysis using two techniques, i.e., pixel-wise NDVI time series and spatially averaged NDVI time series. Both techniques were applied in each one of the individual land cover types. To assess the existence of abnormal vegetation dynamics, the same analyses were conducted in two broader zones, i.e., from 30 to 60 km and from 60 to 90 km, away from Chernobyl area, where human activities were not substantially altered. Results of both analyses indicated that vegetation dynamics in the 30 km Exclusion Zone correspond to increasing plant productivity at a rate considerably higher than that of the other two examined zones. The outcome of the analyses presented herein attributes greening trends in the 30 km and the 30 to 60 km zones to a combination of climate, minimized human impact and a consequent prevalence of land cover types which seem to be well adapted to increased radioactivity. The vegetation greening trends observed in the third zone, i.e., the 90 km zone, are indicative of the combination of climate and increasing human activities. Results indicate the positive impact from the absence of human activities on vegetation dynamics as far as vegetation productivity and phenology are concerned in the 30 km Exclusion Zone, and to a lower extent in the 60 km zone. Furthermore, there is evidence that land cover changes evolve into the prevalence of woody vegetation in an area with increased levels of radioactivity. Full article

Background: Environmental public health disasters involving hazardous contaminants may have devastating effects. While much is known about their immediate devastation, far less is known about long-term impacts of these disasters. Extensive latent and chronic long-term public health effects may occur. Careful evaluation of contaminant exposures and long-term health outcomes within the constraints imposed by limited financial resources is essential. Methods: Here, we review epidemiologic methods lessons learned from conducting long-term evaluations of four environmental public health disasters involving hazardous contaminants at Chernobyl, the World Trade Center, Bhopal, and Graniteville (South Carolina, USA). Findings: We found several lessons learned which have direct implications for the on-going disaster recovery work following the Fukushima radiation disaster or for future disasters. Interpretation: These lessons should prove useful in understanding and mitigating latent health effects that may result from the nuclear reactor accident in Japan or future environmental public health disasters. Full article