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A new study from the University of Portsmouth shows that Ukrainian agricultural land left fallow after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986 is once again usable for farming.
Since the Chernobyl nuclear accident, large parts of northern Ukraine have been deemed too dangerous for agriculture. The 4,200 square kilometer exclusion zone around the nuclear power plant remains uninhabited to this day and is one of the largest nature reserves in Europe. On the other hand, the 2,000 square kilometer relocation zone, which was never completely abandoned, provides a home to thousands of people, as reported by The Independent.
In the years following the disaster, radiation levels in the region have significantly decreased due to radioactive decay and erosion of surface soils. However, the fallow land has not been reclassified since the zoning was introduced in 1991.
Recent efforts show promise
In recent years, some farmers in the region have taken matters into their own hands and started limited agricultural production. A new study from the University of Portsmouth, published in the Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, now confirms that most areas are safe for growing crops.
Researchers examined around 100 hectares of land in the Schytomyr region for contamination levels and predicted the uptake of radioactive substances by common crops such as potatoes, grains, maize, and sunflowers.
Compliance with safety limits
Through soil sample analysis and measurement of external gamma radiation, they confirmed that the effective radiation dose for farm workers was well below Ukraine's national safety threshold.
Furthermore, the researchers found that the radiation levels were significantly lower than naturally occurring background radiation worldwide. This means that with proper monitoring and adherence to Ukrainian food safety regulations, many crops can be safely grown in these previously restricted areas.