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Protocol created by European scientists allows safe cultivation in areas close to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, rekindling hope for regions stigmatized by nuclear contamination
A new study brings hope to thousands of acres abandoned since the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Researchers have developed a safe and effective protocol that could allow agriculture to resume on contaminated land without health risks to workers or consumers.
Field tests show feasibility
The protocol was tested on a 100-hectare area in the Zhytomyr region, close to the so-called “Chernobyl Exclusion Zone”.
The research was conducted by experts from the University of Portsmouth, in partnership with the Ukrainian Institute of Agricultural Radiology. The aim was to see if crops such as potatoes, corn, grains and sunflowers could be grown safely.
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The results were encouraging. According to the data collected, 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 provides precise guidance on which crops are safe and which should be avoided.
Large-scale recovery potential
From the data obtained, scientists estimate that up to 20.000 hectares of agricultural land in Ukraine could be restored using this new method.
These lands, currently underutilized, represent a concrete opportunity to strengthen the country's food security and revitalize rural communities that have lived under stigma for decades.
Furthermore, the technique can be applied in other regions affected by radioactive contamination, such as Fukushima, in Japan, or deactivated military areas.
Simple and accessible
The proposed protocol is described as rigorous but accessible. It does not require expensive or invasive industrial processes. Using soil analysis and external gamma radiation monitoring, researchers can accurately predict how crops will behave in relation to contamination.
This enables the safe use of natural resources previously considered lost. It also promotes sustainable agricultural practices, decentralizes food production and reduces pressure on currently used active lands.
A view beyond Ukraine
For Professor Jim Smith, lead author of the study, the progress goes beyond the recovery of the area affected by Chernobyl. “It's not just about Chernobyl, it's about using evidence to protect people and prevent useful land from falling into disuse.”, He stated.
The implementation of this protocol represents an opportunity to unite science, rural development and sustainability. By enabling the generation of agricultural jobs and safe land use, the initiative could redefine the future of many regions marked by nuclear disasters.
End of a stigma
With this progress, lands previously 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.
