Reference News Network reported on May 9 that according to a report from the UK Independent website on May 6, a new study shows that the farmland in Ukraine abandoned after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986 is now suitable for agricultural production again.
After the nuclear accident, large areas of northern Ukraine were identified as dangerous zones unsuitable for farming.
The 4,200-square-kilometer Chernobyl exclusion zone around the power plant remains uninhabited and is now one of Europe's largest nature reserves.
However, the 2,000-square-kilometer compulsory resettlement area has never been completely abandoned and is home to tens of thousands of people. In the years following the disaster, the radiation levels in this area have significantly decreased due to radioactive decay and erosion of the topsoil. However, since the zoning standards were established in 1991, there has been no reclassification of the abandoned land.
In recent years, some farmers in the region have started sporadic agricultural activities on their own initiative.
A new study published in the "Journal of Environmental Radioactivity" confirms that it is safe to grow crops on most of this land.
Researchers assessed the contamination levels of about 100 hectares of land in the Zhytomyr region and predicted the absorption of common crops such as potatoes, grains, corn, and sunflowers with regard to radioactive materials.
By analyzing soil samples and measuring external gamma radiation, they confirmed that the effective radiation dose received by agricultural workers is far below Ukraine's national safety threshold.
Researchers found that the radiation level was significantly lower than the natural background radiation levels experienced worldwide. This means that many crops can be safely grown in these previously restricted areas through proper monitoring and compliance with Ukrainian food safety regulations.
Jim Smith, the lead author of the research report from the University of Portsmouth in the UK, said: "Since 1986, there has been much misinformation about the radiation risks of Chernobyl, which has had a negative impact on people still living in the abandoned areas. This study is important for communities affected by the Chernobyl disaster."
This new study outlines a scientific method for assessing and returning valuable farmland to production. Smith said: "This is not just about Chernobyl. It also concerns using science and evidence to ensure people are protected while ensuring that land is not wasted unnecessarily. The methods invented here can be applied to other radioactive contaminated sites around the world."
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7502378581411004939/
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