Immediate medical consequences of nuclear accidents: lessons from Chernobyl

Journal Article · Fri Aug 07 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · JAMA, J. Am. Med. Assoc.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.258.5.625· OSTI ID:6019082

Gale, R P

The immediate medical response to the nuclear accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power station involved containment of the radioactivity and evacuation of the nearby population. The next step consisted of assessment of the radiation dose received by individuals, based on biological dosimetry, and treatment of those exposed. Medical care involved treatment of skin burns; measures to support bone marrow failure, gastrointestinal tract injury, and other organ damage (i.e., infection prophylaxis and transfusions) for those with lower radiation dose exposure; and bone marrow transplantation for those exposed to a high dose of radiation. At Chernobyl, two victims died immediately and 29 died of radiation or thermal injuries in the next three months. The remaining victims of the accident are currently well. A nuclear accident anywhere is a nuclear accident everywhere. Prevention and cooperation in response to these accidents are essential goals.

• Research Organization: UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles
• OSTI ID: 6019082
• Journal Information: JAMA, J. Am. Med. Assoc.; (United States), Journal Name: JAMA, J. Am. Med. Assoc.; (United States) Vol. 258:5; ISSN JAMAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACCIDENTS
ANIMAL TISSUES
ASIA
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
BONE MARROW
DOSES
EASTERN EUROPE
EMERGENCY PLANS
EUROPE
GRAFT-HOST REACTION
HEMATOPOIETIC SYSTEM
HUMAN POPULATIONS
LETHAL DOSES
LETHAL RADIATION DOSE
ORGANS
POPULATIONS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
TISSUES
TRANSPLANTS
USSR