Combined biological effect of ionizing radiation and other hazardous environmental factors (scientific review)

The Chernobyl accident and other radiation-related accidents are characterized by involvement of a variety of hazardous factors which aggravate the damaging action of ionizing radiation. The synergetic effect of different agents can exacerbate anticipated consequences of an accident. This review attempts to establish regularities in biological responses to the combined effect of ionizing radiation and other hazardous environmental factors of chemical, biological or physical nature. A series of universal features accounting for responses of different cell-systems, animals and people have been identified. These features do not depend on the nature of an agent used in conjunction with ionizing radiation or test-system and biological object under study. A conclusion is made regarding a possible significance of the synergetic effect resulting from interaction of various agents for enhancing consequences of the Chernobyl accident.