Legacy of Neglect: Radioactive peril at Lake Karachay persists
In the 1940s, the USSR began storing radioactive waste in Lake Karachay. Despite attempts to secure the area, the risk of radioactivity leaking into groundwater still exists, and the level of contamination around the lake remains dangerous.
In the late 1940s, the USSR began producing plutonium at the Mayak complex without regard for environmental concerns. Radioactive waste was stored in Lake Karachay, as it was deemed a temporary solution. According to the portal g.pl, plans to build underground storage facilities were never realised.
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In 1957, a failure in the cooling system of a nuclear waste storage tank led to the Kyshtym disaster, one of the largest of its kind in history. The explosion contaminated an area of about 39,000 square kilometres.
As a result of this tragedy, over 200 people died, and 10,000 residents were evacuated. The Soviet authorities concealed the details of the disaster for many years.
The most contaminated lake in the world
In 1967, due to a drought, radioactive sediments in Lake Karachay were exposed, and the wind spread the toxic dust. The contamination affected about 400,000 people, causing severe health problems, including immune system disorders. It was not until 1992 that the authorities acknowledged the extent of the disaster.
The dried-up lake was covered with concrete and soil, with work completed in 2015. According to the portal G.pl, sufficient studies on the impact of the buried waste on groundwater have not been conducted. Scientists fear that radioactive substances may seep into the soil and underground waters.
According to portal fokus.pl, the level of contamination in the lake area is so high that within 30-60 minutes in this location, one can receive a lethal dose of radiation. This raises serious concerns among ecologists and scientists, who call for further research and action on this matter.
