Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
3 min of reading 
0 comments 
Protocol Created by European Scientists Allows Safe Cultivation in Areas Near the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Rekindling Hope for Regions Stigmatized by Nuclear Contamination
A new study brings hope for thousands of hectares abandoned since the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Researchers have developed a safe and effective protocol that may allow the resumption of agriculture on contaminated land, without risks to the health of workers or consumers.
Field Tests Show Viability
The protocol was tested in an area of 100 hectares in the Zhytomyr region, near the so-called “Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.”
The research was conducted by specialists from the University of Portsmouth, in partnership with the Ukrainian Institute of Agricultural Radiology. The aim was to verify if crops such as potatoes, corn, grains, and sunflowers could be safely cultivated.
-
Russia is sailing all 8 nuclear icebreakers of its fleet simultaneously for the first time in history, as the Arctic freezes two weeks earlier than expected.
-
With 39 years of halted construction and R$1 billion draining annually without generating a single watt, Angra 3 has become a ticking time bomb for Eletronuclear — while China put 20 new reactors into operation in the same period.
-
The United States spent US$ 15 billion to excavate 8 km of tunnels inside a mountain in the Nevada desert — the world’s safest nuclear waste repository was ready, but never received a single barrel of waste.
-
China has just commissioned the world’s first commercial mini-nuclear reactor — it is only 14 meters tall, generates energy for 526,000 homes, and prevents 880,000 tons of CO₂ per year.
The results were encouraging. According to the collected data, the radiation dose to which the workers were exposed was well below the legal limit established in Ukraine. In some cases, the levels were even lower than the natural radiation present in other regions of the world.
Despite the success with certain crops, the study recommends avoiding the cultivation of legumes such as beans, peas, and lentils. These foods absorb more radionuclides from the soil, which can pose health risks. Therefore, the protocol accurately guides which crops are safe and which should be avoided.
Potential for Large-Scale Recovery
Based on the data obtained, scientists estimate that up to 20,000 hectares of agricultural land in Ukraine could be recovered using this new method.
These currently underutilized lands represent a concrete opportunity to strengthen the country’s food security and revitalize rural communities that have lived under stigma for decades.
Additionally, the technique could be applied in other regions affected by radioactive contamination, such as Fukushima in Japan, or decommissioned military areas.
Simple and Accessible
The proposed protocol is described as rigorous yet accessible. It does not require costly or invasive industrial processes. Through soil analysis and monitoring of external gamma radiation, researchers can accurately predict the behavior of agricultural crops concerning contamination.
This allows for the safe use of natural resources previously considered lost. It also promotes sustainable agricultural practices, decentralizes food production, and reduces pressure on currently active lands.
A Vision Beyond Ukraine
According to Professor Jim Smith, the principal author of the study, the advancement goes beyond the recovery of the area affected by Chernobyl. “This is not just about Chernobyl; it’s about using evidence to protect people and prevent useful land from falling into disuse,” he said.
The application of this protocol represents an opportunity to unite science, rural development, and sustainability. By enabling agricultural job creation and the safe use of land, the initiative could redefine the future of many regions marked by nuclear disasters.
End of a Stigma
With this advancement, lands once seen as dangerous and unproductive can once again play an essential role in the rural economy. The research shows that, with science and care, it is possible to transform fear into responsible and productive action.
With information from Ecoinventos.
Be the first to react!