The International Chernobyl Project: Technical report - Assessment of radiological consequences and evaluation of protective measures

This technical report explains the organization and implementation of the project on the Radiological Consequences in the USSR of the Chernobyl Accident: Assessment of Health and Environmental Effects and Evaluation of Protective Measures (International Chernobyl Project). The report presents the background scientific information that served as the basis for the Project; describes the technical activities and analyses carried out; and sets out the conclusions and recommendations.

The accident at Unit 4 of Chernobyl nuclear power plant occurred on 26 April 1986. The International Chernobyl Project was launched in 1990 at the request of the Government of the USSR to assess the environmental and health situation in the areas of the Soviet Union contaminated by the Chernobyl accident and to evaluate the measures taken by the authorities to safeguard the health of the population still living in these areas. Some 200 scientists from 25 countries and 7 international and regional organizations participated in this Project. An International Advisory Committee was set up to oversee the Project and approve its conclusions and recommendations. Almost 50 missions to the USSR were carried out in order to obtain the best available information and to make an independent assessment of the situation.