Possibility of cytogenetic methods for examination of people exposed as a result of nuclear explosions on the Semipalatinsk test site

Results of cytogenetic examination of people exposed as a result of nuclear tests on the Semipalatinsk test site are reported. The data obtained show that after 40-45 years since the first explosion on the Semipalatinsk test site in 1949, the inhabitants of all examined settlements revealed an increased frequency of unstable chromosome aberrations. The frequencies of cell contained dicentrics and centric rings correlated to mean effective doses presumably accumulated by the population of these settlements. Effective doses of irradiation estimated by the frequency of stable chromosome aberrations - translocations are in the range of 230-730 mSv. Dose estimated on the basis of the direct organism response is an indicator of the irradiation damaging action. It allows taking into account such important factor as an individual radiosensitivity that is of great significance for possible consequences of irradiation.