“The area of radioactive contamination accounts for about 12% of the territory of Belarus. As of 1 January 2025, there were 1,859 settlements in the zones of radioactive contamination with a population of about 930,000 (181,000 children). 39 years after the Chernobyl disaster, 60% of cesium-137 and 62% of strontium-90 have decayed. Radiation situation is improving; scientifically grounded protective measures are being implemented,” Yekaterina Shmeleva said.
She emphasized that the country has established strict standards for the permissible content of radionuclides in food, raw materials and forest produce. The expert also urged to carefully choose the places for summer foraging and to do radiation control of mushrooms and berries. “In 2024, more than 25,000 samples of food products, raw materials were researched. Drinking water from centralized and decentralized water supply sources is analyzed for radiation safety,” she noted.
