The Impact of Chronic Radiation on Biota in the Exclusion Zone

Forty Years After Chernobyl: Lessons from the Past for the Future

From 20 to 21 May, the Institute of Cell Biology and Genetic Engineering of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine hosted a seminar entitled «The impact of chronic radiation on biota in the Exclusion zone». The seminar was organised by the Radiobiological Society of Ukraine, the Institute of Cell Biology and Genetic Engineering of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, and the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine.

Leading Ukrainian radiobiologists and radioecologists, known as internationally renowned experts, attended the seminar. It was dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident. Current issues in modern radiobiology related to the effects of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation on living organisms were discussed. Long-term studies investigating the consequences of radionuclide contamination following the Chernobyl accident were discussed, including those resulting from Russia's occupation of the exclusion zone in 2022.

Particular attention was paid to analysing the consequences of a potential nuclear power plant disaster in Ukraine and the use of nuclear weapons in light of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Lively discussions took place during the seminar on the fundamental and applied tasks of radiobiological science, directions for further research, issues of radiobiological education and staff training, and the participation of radiobiologists in developing the principles and standards of state policy in the field of radiation protection and safety. Overall, the event confirmed the growing importance and relevance of radiobiological research to society, given the military and political challenges in Ukraine and the global situation.

Link to the Abstract Book from the seminar: Abstract Book.