Meta-analysis of liquidator studies shows elevated solid-cancer risk, ie, Mean SIR > 1.

Chernobyl Liquidator Studies

listed chronologically

multiple myeloma Significantly Increased:

Bazyka et al (2016): "SIR for the 2008-2013 period, 22-27 years after the accident, demonstrated the significant excess of MM incidence among male cleanup workers. Survival of MM cases is higher in cleanup workers in comparison with that in general population. " Study details: 152,520 male Chernobyl-cleanup workers from the Ukraine.

leukemia Significantly Increased:

Finch et al (2016): "A significant increase in the risk of death with increasing radiation dose was observed [...] After adjustment for radiation dose, survival of CLL cases was significantly shorter among those with younger age at first exposure [...] The current study provides new evidence on the association of radiation dose and younger age at first radiation exposure at Chornobyl with shorter survival after diagnosis." Study details: 79 cases from 110,645 cohort, study was internal to that subset, median dose of CLL subjects was 22.6 mGy

leukemia Significantly Increased:

Gudzenko et al (2015): "A nested case-control study of leukemia was conducted in a cohort of 110,645 male [Chernobyl] clean-up workers [...] A total of 162 cases of leukemia was identified among cohort members [...] 5 controls for each leukemia case from among cohort members without leukemia [were used ...] Individual bone marrow radiation doses for both cases and controls were estimated [...] Based on the data for cases with reconstructed dose and corresponding controls, a significant linear dose–response was found for all leukemia (ERR/Gy = 1.26 (95% CI: 0.03, 3.58)." Note: this study found petroleum is also a leukemia risk factor.

morbidity and mortality Significantly Increased:

Ivanov et al (2015): "Morbidity and mortality among emergency workers of the Chernobyl accident for the followup period of 1992-2008 is analyzed in the article. The cohort consists of 47,141 emergency workers of 1986-1987. Radiation risks for cancer morbidity (ERR/Gy is 0.76; 95% CI: 0.19; 1.42, p-value=0008) and cancer mortality (ERR/Gy is 0.95; 95% CI: 0.19; 1.89, p-value=0.01) are statistically significant." Study details: this study is in Russian, an in-English abstract is included at the end.

all cancer Significantly Increased:

Kashcheev et al (2015): "Analysis of solid cancer incidence in the emergency workers over the period 1992–2009 (the control is the background incidence in the male population of Russia) has shown a statistically significant increase of 18 % for all solid cancers. [...] A statistically significant radiation risk of death from all solid cancers has been established." Study details: 67,568 Russian liquidators, controls are Russian population for incidence and cohort-internal by dose for mortality; dose range 0.1 - 1,240 mGy, median of 102 mGy.

thyroid cancer Significantly Increased:

Ostroumova et al (2014): "Our findings support the growing evidence of increased thyroid cancer rates among Chornobyl liquidators. Although this could be partially attributed to increased medical surveillance, the observed pattern of SIR increase warrants further investigation of a potential contribution of radiation exposure to the elevated thyroid cancer rates in this large population." Study details: 150,813 Ukrainian male liquidators, control is general Ukrainian population, no doses given.

all cancer Significantly Increased:

Prysyazhnyuk et al (2014): "This study showed that all cancer incidences exceeded the national level only in CRW [Chernobyl Recovery Workers] group. […] Statistically significant increase of leukemia incidence in CRW group was registered as well. […] Significant excess was also revealed for breast cancer in female CRW group." Study details: 96,000 Ukrainian liquidators, Dose: avg external 50 - 200 mSv.

all cancers Significantly Increased:

Rahu et al (2013a): "To assess site-specific cancer risk in the Baltic cohort of Chernobyl cleanup workers, 1986-2007. […] an excess of oesophageal cancers was noted [...] Brain cancers were overrepresented among men who arrived in the Chernobyl area in 1986 and had the longer mission […] Excess risk for all cancer sites (except prostate) and alcohol-related cancer sites combined reached borderline statistical significance (SIR = 1.08; 95% CI 1.00–1.16 and SIR = 1.16; 95% CI 1.00–1.31, respectively) [...] Consistent evidence of an increase in radiation-related cancers in the Baltic cohort was not observed with the possible exception of thyroid cancer." Study details: 17,040 Baltic liquidators, control is general populations, dose: avg 109 mGy, range 52-163 mGy. The authors define esophageal cancer as alcohol-related cancer despite that it is significantly elevated among the A-bomb survivors (Ozasa 2012).

all cancer Significantly Increased:

Rahu et al (2013b): "This study examined cancer incidence (1986-2008) and mortality (1986-2011) among the Estonian Chernobyl cleanup workers in comparison with the Estonian male population. […] No clear evidence of an increased risk of thyroid cancer, leukaemia or radiation-related cancer sites combined was apparent." Study details: 4,810 Estonian liquidators, controls Estonian male population, average dose ~ 100 mGy.

multiple myeloma Significantly Increased:

Bazyka et al (2013): "The objective of the study was to analyze the Multiple Myeloma (MM) incidence in clean-up workers preparing the information background for consequent analytical study with a dose-dependent risk estimates. […] Standardized incidence ratio for the 2008–2012 period, that is 22–26 years after the accident, demonstrated the significant excess of MM incidence among male clean up workers in comparison with general population of Ukraine of corresponding age and gender." Study details: 152,520 Ukranian liquidators, control is general population, dose range 0.12 - 2,920 mGy.

leukemia Significantly Increased:

Zablotska et al (2013): "Exposure to low doses and to low dose-rates of radiation from post-Chornobyl cleanup work was associated with a significant increase in risk of leukemia, which was statistically consistent with estimates for the Japanese atomic bomb survivors." Study details: 110,645 Ukrainian liquidators, controls matched to same birthplace and age, dose among cases: mean 132.3 ± 342.6 mGy, nested case-control study.

leukemia Significantly Increased:

Ivanov et al (2012): "For the Russian cohort of Chernobyl emergency workers, a statistically significant radiation risk of leukemia (excluding CLL) incidence was observed for the period 1986–1997, that is, 7–10 years since exposure of the cohort's members [...] The main conclusion from the present study is that the radiation-induced excess in the risk of leukemia incidence is limited on time after exposure. In particular, it is hardly possible to observe radiation-induced cases of leukemia among Russian adult male population 15 years after exposure." Study details: 104,947 Russian liquidators, control is male Russian populatin, dose: mean 108 mGy with range over 500 mGy for several workers, retrospective cohort study.

thyroid cancer Significantly Increased:

Kesminiene et al (2012): "A significant dose-response relationship was observed between radiation dose to the thyroid received in adulthood and the risk of subsequent thyroid cancer, with a significantly increased risk at doses of 300 mGy or above. [...] screening is unlikely to fully explain the increased risk in this study." Study details: nested case-control study with 107 cases from 66,000 Belarusian, 65,000 Russian and 15,000 Baltic country liquidators, with 423 controls, median dose among cases 103 mGy with range 0.18–3,308 mGy.

multiple myeloma Significantly Increased:

Gluzman et al (2011): "Multiple myeloma (MM) was diagnosed in 19 patients of clean-up worker group (6.44%). [...] In our study, MM percentage in the patients of Chernobyl clean-up worker group turned out to be significantly higher than in the patients of the general populations studied at the same period (4.00%)." Study details: 403 liquidators from Keiv city with suspected oncohematological disorders, 2,697 controls from Keiv district with similar preexisitng diagnoses, dose range 75 to 250 mGy, case-control study.

leukemia Significantly Increased:

Romanenko et al (2008): "In a nested case-control study of Chornobyl cleanup workers in Ukraine, we observed a significant association between Chornobyl-related radiation dose and increased risk of total leukemia. Our risk estimate for Chornobyl cleanup workers exposed to protracted radiation was comparable to that from the Life Span Study of atomic bomb survivors exposed to high-dose-rate ionizing radiation." Study details: 71 cases from 110,645 Ukrainian liquidators, with 5 to 9 controls per case.

thyroid cancer Significantly Increased:

Ivanov et al (2008): "Based on these data, a statistically significant increase in thyroid cancer incidence was found above the reference level for the male population of Russia, corresponding to a standardized incidence rate [...] These results indicate that the exposure to incorporated (131)I was the major risk factor of thyroid cancer among Chernobyl emergency workers."

blood cancers Significantly Increased:

Kesminiene et al (2008): "A significantly elevated OR [odds ratio] was seen for all hematological malignancies combined at doses of 200 mGy and above. Although most risk estimates are not statistically significantly elevated, they are based on small numbers of cases and they are statistically compatible with those obtained for atomic bomb survivors and recent low dose-rate studies." Study details: 66,000 Belarus, 65,000 Russian and 15,000 Baltic liquidators

all cancers Significantly Increased:

Prysyazhnyuk et al (2007): "For all cancers combined, statistically significant higher incidence rates than the national rates were found only for the recovery workers [...] For female recovery workers there was also an excess of breast cancer over the national rates." Study details: 106,800 Ukrainian liquidators, controls from general population; mean dose 162.7 mSv

cancer mortality Significantly Increased:
leukemia Significantly Increased:

Ivanov et al (2007): "the excess relative risk (ERR) of death from malignant neoplasm was statistically significant [...] During the first 10 y after the Chernobyl accident (1986 –1996) the relative risk (RR) of leukemia (excluding chronic lymphocytic leukemia) was statistically significant." Study details: this study is a review but the two endpoints cited are their first reports in peer-review. The mortality endpoint is about Ivanov 2004 (listed below but not reported therein) and the leukemia data reveiwed were from this post by Ivanov in 2003. Leukemia cohort was 71,870 Russian liquidators, 107 mGy mean dose; controls age-matched male Russian population.

leukemia Significantly Increased:

Gluzman et al (2006): "the relative contribution of CML to the total number of clean-up workers with leukemia was higher than the corresponding percentage value in general population examined at the same period (9.17 vs. 6.59%). The multiple myeloma percentage (7.79%) in the group of patients belonging to clean-up workers in our study turned out to be about twice as much as in the patients of general population (4.00%).[...] The significant excess of LGL-L, which is extremely rare in the general population, is also worthwhile to mention." Study details: study analyzed 218 Ukrainian liquidators with leukemia compared to 2,697 controls with leukemia, dose range was 75 to 250 mGy.

many cancers Significantly Increased:

Sosnovskaya (2006): "The incidence of lung, gastric, renal, and bladder MNs [malignant neoplasms] among liquidators increased at a higher rate as compared with the control group in a statistically significant manner. Significant differences in the morbidity for gastric and lung MNs in the cohort of liquidators and in the control are determined by opposing morbidity dynamics, namely, a statistically significant increase in MN morbidity among the ChNA liquidators and a decrease in the control group." Study details: this quotation is from Oradovskaya (2011) and describes, as referenced: E. Ya. Sosnovskaya, in Health State of the Republic of Belarus Population that Suffered from the Chernobyl Nuclear Accident (Gomel, 2006), pp. 58–69.

tyroid & brain cancer Significantly Increased:

Rahu et al (2006): "Statistically significant excess cases of thyroid (SIR = 7.06, 95% CI 5 2.84–14.55; n = 7) and brain cancer (SIR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.07–3.83; n = 11) were found, mainly based on Latvian data. However, there was no evidence of a dose response for any of these sites, and the relationship to radiation exposure remains to be established." Study details: 10,332 Baltic liquidators, control general population, mean dose 109 mGy.

mortality Significantly Increased:

Rahu et al (2006): "No elevated risk in overall mortality and radiation-related cancers was observed. [...] elevated mortality was observed for brain cancer (SMR, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.02–6.05). [...] excess mortality from brain cancer, was unexpected and may be a chance finding because brain cancer is not considered to be related to ionizing radiation." Study detail: 4,786 Estonian liquidaotrs, control was entire male population of Estonia.

all cancer Significantly Increased:

Okeanov et al (2004): "Average annual excess rates of cancers in all sites in liquidators was 5.5%, which is significantly higher than in the adult population of the Vitebsk region, where it was 1.5% (p < 0.05)." Study details: number of presumably Bularussian liquidators is not given, control was adult population of Vitebsk in Belarus, doses are not given.

all cancer Significantly Increased:

Ivanov et al (2004): "The analysis of the solid cancer incidence in the cohort of emergency workers—employees of the nuclear industry shows that the cancer incidence rate in the studied cohort does not exceed that in the respective age groups of the population of Russia as a whole." Study details: 8,654 Russian liquidator, control is matched Russian population, avg dose 50 mSv.

solid cancer incidence Significantly Increased:

Ivanov et al (2004): "the results of the study lead us to conclude that there is a positive, yet statistically insignificant excess relative risk of radiogenic solid cancers in the cohort of emergency workers." Study details: 55,718 Russiam liquidators, mean dose 130 mGy

thyroid cancer Significantly Increased:

Ivanov et al (2002): "We found a statistically significant increase of the thyroid cancer incidence rate in liquidators as compared to the baseline (male population of Russia) level (SIR=4.33, 95% CI: 3.29; 5.60). It was demonstrated that there is no dependence of incidence rates due to external radiation exposure." Study details: 99,024 Russian liquidators, control is Russian population, mean dose 33 mGy

leukemia Significantly Increased:

>Konogorov et al (2000): "The analysis was performed both for the EWs who worked in the ChZ from 1986 to 1990 (all EWs) and for the EWs who worked in the zone from 1986 to 1987 [...] No significant association was found between the risk of leukemia and the factors we investigated. [...] There was no statistically significant trend with increasing dose." Study details: nested-case-control design from cohort of 162,684 Russian liquidators, mean external dose was 123 mGy (1986) and 105 mGy (1987), dose range was 1 to 500 mGy.

all solid cancer Significantly Increased:

>Ivanov et al (1998): "Cancer incidence in liquidators is compared to that of the population of Russia as a whole [...] Assessment of radiation risks for the same classes of diseases has revealed a statistically significant increase in cancer incidence with external radiation dose." Study details: 114,504 Russian liquidators, average dose 108 mGy.

thyroid & leukemia Significantly Increased:

>Ivanov et al (1997): for leukemia, "at the 95% confidence level, the difference is statistically significant only for the cases diagnosed in the period 1990-1993. The absence of a significant increase of leukaemia cases in the years 1986-1989 is in line with the latency period of 2–3 years for the induction of radiogenic leukaemia assumed in the risk models." Regarding thyroid cancer: "It is notable that there are – 4 years after the disaster – significant excess SIR values for the emergency workers of 1986, while for the emergency workers of 1987, the excess is seen 5 years after the accident. This reaffirms the existence of a latency period of about 4 years for the induction of radiogenic thyroid cancers in both cases." Study details: 168,000 Russian liquidaotrs, age-matched Russian population as control, mean dose was 170 mGy (1986) and 100 mGy (1987).

thyroid cancer Significantly Increased:

Inskip et al (1997): "Chernobyl cleanup workers from Estonia did not experience a markedly increased risk of nodular thyroid disease associated with exposure to external radiation." Study details: 1,984 Estonian liquidators screened for thyroid cancer, control was by "internal comparisons,"mean dose 108 mGy, maximum dose 610 mGy.

NON-CANCER ILLNESS

listed chronologically

cerebrovascular diseases Significantly Increased:

Kashcheev et al (2016): "The incidence of CeVD [cerebrovascular diseases] has revealed a statistically significant dose response with the lack of a latent period and with the average ERR/Gy = 0.45, 95% CI: (0.28, 0.62), p < 0.001. Radiation risks of CeVD statistically significantly (p = 0.03) varied with the duration of liquidators' stay in the Chernobyl zone; for those who stayed in the Chernobyl zone less than 6 wk, ERR/Gy = 0.64, 95% CI = (0.38; 0.93), p < 0.001."

circulatory disease Significantly Increased:

Bazyka et al (2015): "In clean-up workers, the post-accident period is characterized by significant growth of circulatory diseases [...] We obtained significant values of relative risks in the range of whole-body external doses 0.05-0.7 Gy. It should be noted that the most stable values of risks and excess relative risks were obtained at doses 0.25-0.7 Gy. [...] Ionizing radiation is only one of the set of factors inducing CVD. [...] additional evidence is needed." Study deatils: this study is Chapter 6 in Biological Responses, Monitoring and Protection from Radiation Exposure. Ed. KP, Mishra, Nova Science Publishers, 2015. Cohort: 314,192 Ukranian liquidators with internal control being those with doses 0-50 mGy. Significiant dose-response favors a causal role for radiation.

thyroid disease Significantly Increased:

Kaminskyi et al (2015): "Retrospective data review indicates the incidence of thyroid disease being 40.29% in all persons survived after the ChNPP accident, 35.37% in the accident clean-up workers, 27.24% in evacuees from the exclusion zone, and 28.6% in population of contaminated territories that much exceeds (p < 0.0001) value (3.9%) in the entire population of Ukraine. [...] Such diseases as nodular goiter (diagnosed in 21.8%), chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (12.95%), pre-obesity and obesity (41.71% / 33.61%) pre-diabetes and diabetes mellitus (8.6% / 12.15%) were also most frequent in the ChNPP accident clean up workers." Study details: 10,798 Ukrainian liquidators, avge dose 187 mGy.

gynecological morbidity Significantly Increased:

Mayevska et al (2015): "Exposure to ionizing radiation in the childbearing age (18–45 years old) can be a risk factor of elevated incidence of uterine leiomyoma, benign mammary dysplasia (i.e. benign breast disease), and salpingo oophoritis. It is far to assume that uterine and mammary tissues are more sensitive to impact of ionizing radiation in females of the childbearing age vs. in persons exposed in pre menopause or menopause." Study details: 17,237 female Ukrainian liquidators, internal control by compariosn of subjects according toduration of on-site exposure.

cognitive impairment Significantly Increased:

Bazyka et al (2015): "Cognitive functions in cleanup workers exposed to ionizing radiation at adulthood are characterized by symptoms of a mild cognitive impairment according to the MMSE (mean group score 25,58 ± 2,95) and a significantly higher level of mental disorders according to the BPRS in a dose related manner. Cleanup workers exposed to doses over 500 mSv demonstrate a significant cognitive deficit in comparison with those exposed below 500 mSv and especially non-exposed patients." Study detail: survey of 326 Ukrainian liquidators, internal control by dose grouping.

Many illnesses Significantly Increased:

Buzunov et al (2015): "We have found a dramatic deterioration of the Chornobyl cleanup workers' health due to the growth of wide range of nontumor diseases, especially circulatory, digestive, respiratory, endocrine, genitourinary and nervous system diseases. [...] The proportion of healthy and practically healthy people approximated 68% in 1988, while in 2012, i.e. twentysix years after the Chornobyl accident, it fell to 5.5%. [...] Almost 90% of disability cases reported in 2012 were likely to be Chornobyl related." Descriptive health-status study of Ukrainian liquidators.

paroxysmal brain activity Significantly Increased:

Podsonnaya et al (2015): "It has been determined that the formation of paroxysmal brain activity in LCND [liquidators of the consequences of the nuclear disaster] occurs 3.5 times more frequent (p<0.001) and 15-17 years earlier (p<0.001) than in the control group and mainly during the first 10 years after the exposure to radiation. [...] Stimulating effect of ionizing radiation on the development of PBA [paroxysmal brain activity] related to the age on the date of exposure to radiation was found."

psychoorganic syndrome Treatment study

Krasnov et al (2015): "Despite the fact that most of the clean-up workers, involved in the elimination of Chernobyl disaster consequences, were exposed to low doses of radiation (usually not exceeding 0,25 Gy, registered by personal dosimeters), at the early stage it was revealed that they have different polymorphic symptoms with combination of asthenic, psychovegetative, and subaffective disorders, at first with mild, neurodynamic, and reversible cognitive disorders, developing later into a psychoorganic syndrome, based on the early cerebrovascular pathology, as well as neuroendocrine, neurological, immune, and psychosomatic disturbances. [...] The most significant factor, which influenced the pathogenesis of psychoorganic syndrome, was the primary radiation reaction." Study details: this is a study of medical treaments among a cohort of 312 liquidators diagnosed with psychoorganic syndrome. This study demonstrates recognition that disorders among the liquidators require unique treatments.

lung disease Significantly Increased:

Sushko et al (2014): "In the Chornobyl clean-up workers who received higher exposure doses, likely observed a gradual increase in the number of bronchopulmonary diseases. […] In general, the correlation coefficient between exposure dose and the development of COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease] was 0.117, p = 0.001 [statistically significant]." Study details: 7,156 Ukrainian liquidators, controls are lower to higher dose, dose range 25-500 mSv

endocrine disease Significantly Increased:

Kaminskiy et al (2014): "Effects of ionizing radiation and other hazardous factors on endocrine system in the ChNPP AEW [Chernobyl NPP Accident Emergency Workers] appeared upon 15–25 years. There was a significant (2–10 fold) and reliable (p < 0.01) increase of the incidence of the nodular goiter, autoimmune thyroiditis, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus. And there is a trend to further increase." Study details: 10,771 Ukrainian liquidators; control is Ukrainian population; avg external dose: 187 mGy

endocrine disease Significantly Increased:

Kaminskiy et al (2014): Chernobyl workers and residents of contaminated regions had "Significant increase of the incidence of thyroid disease (1.5-3 fold), diabetes mellitus (3-7 fold), pre-obesity and obesity (in 25.67 %), and metabolic syndrome (5-fold) vs. entire population of Ukraine was found." Study details: 7,588 Ukrainian liquidators; controls residents of Kiev province; avg external dose: 134 mGy

heart disease Significantly Increased:

Krasnikova et al (2014): "based on in depth clinical and epidemiological monitoring of male clean up workers (1986–1987 working period) the statistically significant risks of CHD [coronary heart disease] development were established at whole body external doses 0.15 Gy and more, as well as statistically significant non-radiation risks with biological, social hygienic and behavioral factors taken into account." Study details: 8,625 workers with controls being workers with exposures < 100 mGy; significant increases among those exposed to doses over 250 - 500 mGy.

non-cancer mobidity Significantly Increased:

Rahu et al (2014): "we observed a very small increase of borderline significance in all-disease risk among Chernobyl cleanup workers [...] Increased morbidity was apparent for the broad categories of diseases of the nervous system, digestive system, musculoskeletal system and alcohol-induced diagnoses [...] No obvious excess morbidity consistent with biological effects of radiation was seen in the exposed cohort, with the possible exception of benign thyroid diseases." Study details: 3,680 Estonian liquidators, 7,631 controls; mean dose 94 mGy, range 0-545 mGy. Table 2 shows over a dozen disorders significantly increased among Liquidators.

cerebrovascular disease Significantly Increased:

Krasnikova et al (2013): "Statistically significant radiation risks of chronic cerebrovascular disease were recorded in a young at the time of exposure age group of clean up workers under 0.25–0.99 Gy radiation doses, whereas in emergency workers exposed at age 40 and older – at doses of 0.5 Gy or more. This may be indicative of a greater sensitivity to the effects of ionizing radiation in young people." Study details: 8,625 Ukrainian liquidators, controls doses < 100 mGy; dose range 250-999 mGy

dyscirculatory encephalopathy Significantly Increased:

Podsonnaya et al (2010): "Results obtained over 20-years of following 536 Chernobyl clean-up workers and 436 control subjects arepresented. [...] the formation of dyscirculatory encephalopathy in CNPS [Chernobyl nuclear power station] clean-up workers was characterized by rapid increases in the symptoms of brain damage during the first two years after irradiation, relatively stable clinical appearances during the next 5–6 years, and an intensely progressive diffuse process of cerebral decompensation with the early development of autonomic dysfunction, psychoorganic syndrome, and epilepsy [...] The course of dyscirculatory encephalopathy in CNPS accident clean-up workers was complicated by the development of major strokes more frequently than in the general population."

impaired immune system Significantly Increased:

Pelevina et al (2010): "We can suppose that genomic instability induced by the liquidators of Chernobyl accident consequences 24 years ago manifests now as increased genome damage and oxidative status decrease that can result in imbalance of cells and humoral immune status, disturbancies of health."

any illness Significantly Increased:

Eglite et al (2009): "The morbidity of Chernobyl NPP accident clean-up workers during 1986–2001 has progressively increased. There is a marked increase in occurrence of diseases of nervous system and organs of sense, mental disorders, thyroid diseases, respiratory diseases and diseases of digestive system. These data are statistically significant and notably higher than that among age- and sex-matched control groups. [...] Even taking into account more frequent examination of clean-up workers, the results are a sign of premature aging in this group. [...] It is suggested that the CNPP accident clean-up workers may have a specific syndrome, the 'Chernobyl post-radiation neurosomatic polypathy', due to sustained oxidant stress injury, as a result of exposure to radiation and lead." Study details: 5,399 Latvian liquidators, 237 controls age- and sex-matched from Latvia population; dose: range 0.1 - 500 mSv, mean 128.6 ± 70.73 mSv.

musculoskeletal diseases Significantly Increased:

Teplyakova & Sokolova (2008): "To assess frequency of pain and functional disability due to musculoskeletal system changes among liquidators of Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident consequences (LAC) […] LAC have high frequency of MD [musculoskeletal diseases] mainly soft tissue diseases […] we believe that they can be considered as markers of remote consequences of ionizing radiation effect on
musculoskeletal system." Study details: this study is in Russian, an in-English abstract is included at the end.

non-cancer mobidity Significantly Increased:

Bebeshko et al (2007): "Incidence of non-cancer diseases is significantly higher in the accident recovery workers irradiated over 250 mSv (Fig. 1) and does not depend on the screening effect [...] Coronary heart disease rates were shown to be dose dependent. Minimal radiation dose inducing the higher incidence of cardiovascular non-tumor diseases in recovery operation workers differs from 0.1 Gy for endomyocardial fibrosis to above 1 Gy for essential hypertension. [...] Cerebrovascular pathology in liquidators has been found to depend on exposure. The risk of development of these diseases is higher in those exposed to doses of 0.25 Gy and higher as compared with those with an exposure of less than 0.1 Gy." Study details: case-control desing.

cataracts Significantly Increased:

Worgul et al (2007): "The eyes of a prospective cohort of 8,607 Chernobyl cleanup workers (liquidators) were assessed for cataract [...] posterior subcapsular or cortical cataracts characteristic of radiation exposure were present in 25% of the subjects. [...] the data indicate that any threshold for cataracts is several times lower than that upon which current permissible exposure limits are based; our upper-limit threshold dose is about 0.7 Gy." Study details: 8,607 Ukrainian liquidators, controls are those with doses 0-99 mGy.

many illnesses Significantly Increased:

Oradovskaya (2006): "The comparison of examined groups of liquidators, MCP [Mining Chemical Plant] personnel and population of Krasnoyarsky krai indicated high exceeding of chronic pathology frequency among liquidators of the Chernobyl accident consequences: 3.02 and 2.6 times by CSD, 4.55 and 3.30 times by atherosclerosis with HD [hypertension disease], 22.9 and 9.95 times by CVD:DEP [dyscirculatory encephalopathy]; compared with MCP personnel and the population, respectively. For other classes of diseases and separate nosological forms of diseases, a significant excess of frequency among liquidators is also observed. These data persuasively confirm abrupt deterioration of the liquidators' health." This study is Chapter 9 in the textbook, 20 Years after the Chernobyl Accident.

suicide Significantly Increased:

Rahu et al (2006): "In 1986 to 2002, a statistically significant excess
mortality was found for suicide (SMR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.03–1.67). [...] We found that during the 17 years after the accident, suicide risk among Chernobyl cleanup workers from Estonia was greater than in the male population." Study detail: 4,786 Estonian liquidaotrs, control was entire male population of Estonia.

cerebrovascular disease Significantly Increased:

Ivanov et al (2006): "the highest risk of cerebrovascular diseases is in
emergency workers who stayed in the zone in the first year after the accident and received external radiation doses more than 150 mGy in less than 6 wk. [...] for emergency workers who received external radiation doses of 150 to 250 mGy (subcohort C), a statistically significant dependence of cerebrovascular diseases on mean daily dose was observed [...] The radiation risks in this large-scale cohort study were not adjusted for recognized risk factors." Study details: 18,197 Russian liquidators, controls are those who had doses < 50 mGy.

vascular diseases Significantly Increased:

Ivanov et al (2005): "The cohort data from 1986 to 2000 years of 61,017 liquidators are discussed. Radiation risks are established for the cerebrovascular diseases and for the essential hypertension. [...] Among the liquidators entered Chernobyl zone during the first year after the accident (29,003 liquidators), the CVD's risk group consists of persons accumulated more then 150 mGy from external sources."

impaired immune system Significantly Increased:

Kurjane et al (2001): "We found significantly decreased numbers of T cells (CD4+ and CD8+ cells) in the whole group of Latvian Chernobyl clean-up workers. [...] our results clearly indicate that even after a period of 10-14 years after the accident an impact of both radiation and nonradiation [lead] factors on the immune system can be observed. These included a reduction in NK-cell and T-cell numbers, and an alteration in neutrophil phagocyte activity. Ongoing inflammatory processes are reflected by complement activation. An impairment of the immune system in irradiated Chernobyl clean-up workers could contribute to the development of their thyroid disorders."

mortality Significantly Increased:

Ivanov et al (2001): "The mortality in the cohort of emergency workers does not exceed the spontaneous mortality level in the corresponding age groups of the Russian population. For most causes of death, this level is below the all-Russian by 15–20%. This difference can be due to incomplete data or because it is more difficult to gather mortality data as compared to incidence, or it may result from 'the health workers effect.' " Study details: 98,271 Russian liquidators, general population was control; dose range 5–300 mSv

schizophrenia Significantly Increased:

Loganovsky et al (2000): "Beginning in 1990, there has been a significant increase in the incidence of schizophrenia in EZ personnel in comparison to the general population (5.4 per 10,000 in the EZ versus 1.1 per 10,000 in the Ukraine in 1990). [...] Persons exposed to 0.30 Sv or more are at higher risk of schizophrenia spectrum disorders." Study details: liquidator data (1986-1997) was from the psychiatric archives of the Medical and Sanitary Department in Chernobyl, control data (1970-1997) from Ministry of Public Health of Ukraine.

many illnesses Significantly Increased:

Ivanov et al (2000): "For some classes of non-cancer diseases among liquidators, statistically significant estimates of radiation risk were derived for the first time. [...] The main outcome of this study is establishing a statistically significant dose dependency in the liquidators' cohort as a whole using stratification by age at the time of arrival to the zone, year of arrival to the zone, and area of residence with respect to the following noncancer diseases: endocrine diseases and metabolic disorders [...] mental disorders [...] diseases of the nervous system and sensory organs [...] diseases of the digestive system [...] cerebrovascular diseases [...] essential hypertension." Study details: 59,207 Russian liquidators, controls were those with doses 0-50 mGy. This study appeared first Radaition & Risk, which is free online here.

sperm malformation Significantly Increased:

Goncharov et al (1998): "In the present study, 328 liquidators were examined 7-9 years after the Chernobyl accident. The dose range of radiation exposure was 0.001-0.33 Gy [...] testosterone levels in liquidators were even signifcantly higher than in controls. Examination of the semen quality of approximately one quarter of the 'liquidators' revealed that, apart from a signitcantly reduced number of morphologically normal spermatozoa in the ejaculates, overall semen parameters did not differ from those of the controls, nor from the WHO defined criteria of normality. However, compared to controls, there was a higher percentage of cases with teratozoospermia (26% vs. 10% in controls), oligozoospermia (23% vs. 10% in controls) and asthenozoospermia (16% vs. 5%) among the `liquidators', although none of these changes were statistically signifcant."

heart disease Significantly Increased:

Cwikel et al (1997): "Counting all chronic conditions combined, 57% of the liquidators reported three or more chronic conditions,47% of the most exposed and 49% of the less exposed, whereas only 30% of the comparison group reported such a high level of morbidity." Study details: 30 liquidators (among exposed group (n=305) otherwise consisting of Chernobyl-region residents) and 214 controls. Table 3 shows prevelence of heart disease among liquidators (33%) that is statistically significant comparied to controls (16%), chisquare test, p = 0.025.

sperm impairment Significantly Increased:

Bartoov et al (1997): "The objective of the study was to assess effects of radiation on sperm quality, including ultramorphology of spermatozoa of men who worked as salvage workers at the Chernobyl nuclear reactor accident site or in the adjacent region [...] Sperm motility was found to be reduced in the radiation-exposed workers. Ultramorphologic defects were evident in the sperm nucleus. Fertility potential was adversely affected among the exposed workers. Thus, salvage workers who had worked at the Chernobyl nuclear reactor accident site or in the vicinity thereof were found to manifest ultramorphologic abnormalities in the sperm nucleus and to have impaired fertility potential seven years after the radiation exposure." Study details: 18 liquidators, mean dose 90 mGy, range 30 - 420 mGy.

sperm impairment Significantly Increased:

Fischbein et al (1997): "These preliminary results of routine semen analysis and QUM of spermatozoa of liquidators from the Chernobyl nuclear reactor reflect a decrease in motility [p ≤ 0.01] and percent of progressive motility [p ≤ 0.01] in the samples from the liquidators as compared with their controls. [...] a higher frequency of malformations of certain sperm cell organelles was found in the liquidators group [p ≤ 0.01], detectable only by the quantitative ultramorphological analytic method."

all diseases Significantly Increased:

Ivanov (1996): "the contingents of emergency workers exposed in the range of 0-5 cGy were used as an interval [sic, internal] control group. As is seen from Table 3, the morbidity rates for a series of diseases in the 5-20cGy and over-20 cGy dose groups are significantly higher than those in the 0-5 cGy dose group." Study details: Study is posted here. Table 3 shows a significnat dose repsonses for diseases of (a) the endocrine system, (b) blood and blood-forming organs, (c) diseases of the circulatroy system, as well as for (e) all classes of diseases.

many illnesses Significantly Increased:

Kamarlia & Abdulina (1996): "An analysis has shown that the number of patients among Chernobyl accident cleanup workers increases each year (from 54.5% in 1991 to 60.4% in 1994) and that the number of invalids among them increases in an almost geometrical progression (from 2.3% in 1991 to 20.6% in 1994). This indicates serious disorders in the organisms of people who were subjected to radiation effects while working in the accident zone. [...] Above-normal radiation levels and/or the stress and fear of living in contaminated areas can lead to significant increases in nervous disorders, cardiovascular diseases and other problems.The most significant increase was in the suicide rate."

several illnesses Significantly Increased Risk:

Kordysh et al (1995): "Liquidators demonstrated significantly higher rates for central nervous system (neurosis, sleep disorders, headache, dizziness), respiratory tract, and cardiovascular system disorders, as well as an increased tendency toward all other symptoms compared to former residents. [...] Liquidators reported significantly more nausea and decreases in white blood cell counts than residents." Study details: The study compared 55 liquidators to exposed residents who lived near Chernobyl.

sperm impairment Significantly Increased:

Birioukov et al (1993): "Twelve men with different forms and stages of chronic radiation dermatitis caused by accidental exposure to beta and gamma irradiation during and after the Chernobyl atomic power plant accident were examined [...] It would appear that there is an association between accidental exposure to ionizing radiation of varying severity and the impairment of exocrine and endocrine testicular function, sometimes resulting in long-lasting physiological and psychological problem." Study details: these liquidators expereinced acute-radiation sickness with high doses of radiation, between 1 and 5.5 Gy, the upper level is potentially lethal.

impaired immune system Significantly Increased:

Iarilin et al (1992): "A study was made of deviations, beyond 1 sigma and 1.5 sigma of a mean value (M) of a donor group, in individual immunological parameters [...] in patients suffered acute radiation sickness (ARS) and liquidators of Chernobyl NPP accident. The radiation damage to the immune system was reliably detected in the affected subjects examined."

impaired immune system Significantly Increased:

Moskalenko et al (1990): "Deoxyribonuclease activity in blood serum was comparatively analyzed in 90 subjects who had been engaged in liquidation of consequences of the catastrophe at Chernobyl NPS in 1986, and in 55 normal donors. It was found that the mean value of deoxyribonuclease activity in the group of the liquidators was significantly lower as compared to that of donors [...] The anamnesis of most of the patients with lowered deoxyribonuclease activity has revealed transient leukopenia, decreased parameters of T-cellular immunity and phagocytic activity of neutrophils."

EFFECTS IN OFFSPRING

studies on effects in liquidator's children

DNA methylation Significantly Increased:

Kuzmina et al (2016): "One hundred and twenty-four irradiated subjects (24-77 years old at sampling: 83 Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant clean-up workers, 21 nuclear workers, 20 residents of territories with radioactive contamination) and 208 unirradiated volunteers (19-77 years old at sampling) were enrolled [...] No significant difference in promoter methylation was found between offspring born to irradiated and unirradiated parents (power of the test is about 90%) [...] Further investigations of different epigenetic changes in the offspring of irradiated parents are also necessar."

impaired immune system Significantly Increased:

Baleva et al (2011): "The descendants of irradiated parents (the 1st generation; children of the Chernobyl accident consequences liquidators, children of the citizens of radiation contaminated territories with various 137Cs levels) had immunity disorders of different type. A change in the total amount of NK-cells (CD16(+)-lymphocytes) is the general sign for all radiation risk groups; however, people subject to direct radiation impact demonstrated reduction of the antitumor protection potency, whereas descendants of irradiated ones demonstrated its activation with typically increasing number of CD16(+)-lymphocytes." Full study posted here.