Uranium Pollution of Meat in Tien-Shan

Abstract

Uranium in water, soil, fodder and food products (especially meat) was studied in areas of former Soviet uranium industry in Tien-Shan 1950–1970. Uranium environment migration was very intensive in Tien-Shan, due to peculiarities waters (upper and ground): hydro-carbon-calcium content, and low potassium medium. A content of uranium in river-water from the areas was higher 30–100 times compared with rural regions of Russia. Lambs tissues (wet weight) contain: 1.2 ± 0.15 mg/g uranium in Min-Kush, 0.06 ± 0.0002 mg/kg in Mailuu-Suu. Lambs skin, horn, hoof contained 0.183 ± 0.007 mg/kg uranium. Meat of domestic animals was the only source of protein for local people. It has been found that latent pre-illness was very wide spread in human population, but not registered in official medical statistics. Health disorders (neutropenya, monocytosis, weak function of liver) have been shown by blood laboratory tests. There are several unfortunate factors in Tien-Shan region: pollution, alpine hypoxia, lack of iodine, protein and malnutrition. All these factors can lead together to low weak health of domestic animals and human.