Following the accident at the nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, Ukraine on April 26, 1986, large quantities of radioactive substances were released into the atmosphere. Radioactive particles were distributed throughout the northern hemisphere, mainly across Europe, though increased levels were measured in Canada, Japan and the United States as well. In particular, the populations of Belarus, Ukraine and Russia experienced serious radiological, health and socioeconomic consequences. The event served to focus attention on health risks associated with the use of nuclear energy, and many questions remain to this day about the real health risks and effects of radiation. Fig. 1: Immigrants from contaminated areas discuss their concerns This website provides concise answers to important problems which are of concern to people exposed to radiation, particularly those who have arrived in the USA from Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine who were exposed to radiation after the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.  Funding for development of this resource included grants from the Texas Hadassah Medical Research Foundation, the Houston Jewish Community Foundation and the Houston Endowment, Inc. ©1994-2006 Baylor College of Medicine Privacy Notices