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023_Kazakhstan_Semipalatinsk_2008.jpg
Kazakhstan. Semipalatinsk. Scientific Research Institute of Radiation, Medicine and Ecology. An old woman suffers from high blood pressure and heart disease. She has lived her entire life near the Semipalatinsk Polygon ( called today National Nuclear Center of Kazakhstan). The senior woman is a first generation victim of the 456 atomic testing - 116 atmospheric, 340 underground - from 1949 to 1989. The regions high frequency of blood pressure and heart diseases is primarily due to fallout from nearby nuclear test sites. The picture shows the human and environmental effects of nuclear radiation, contamination and pollution from atomic tests programs of the former Soviet Union. Semey is the Kazakh name for Semipalatinsk and is located in the Eastern Kazakhstan Province. © 2008 Didier Ruef