Thyroid Cancer and Chernobyl Children

1995/08/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Osasuna

Thyroid cancer is increasingly common among children living near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Health organizations in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine have announced that thyroid cancer is one of the most serious problems they have right now. Since the explosion in the nuclear power plant reactor, the percentage of people with thyroid cancer among children living in these areas has increased markedly: one in 10,000 children has thyroid cancer.

We know that the thyroid influences growth and development and accelerates the rate of metabolism. Although many researchers have so far denied it, the breakdown of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant affected children more directly. A group of researchers from Ukraine and Russia has stated that most children living in the vicinity during the explosion have or will develop thyroid cancer in the coming years.

Radiation emitted by the plant spread in various ways throughout the region. Food had a greater impact on children than air pollution, especially milk and vegetables. Malformations and atrophy are the legacy that the new generations of the Txernobil environment have received.

Fighting thyroid cancer is virtually impossible in Ukraine and Belarus. It is not possible to provide adequate radiation therapy at their health facilities and children in need are referred to German hospitals. In any case, this is a short-term solution and they warn that more external help will be needed.