Five years after Chernobyl - the radiological consequences, their tracing and remedies

The accident of Chernobyl has shown that extensive knowledge of radiation and radioactivity and their biological effects and also of suitable models for predictions are on hand. However, areas of which there is still insufficient understanding have also become more distinct. It is the duty of the scientific community at least to make the best possible use of the catastrophe by attempting to close these gaps. There are three subjects deserving priority in this connection: 1. Epidemiology of the late sequelae among the population affected by the catastrophe including the dosimetry needed for such studies; 2. examinations of the behaviour of ecosystems under the influence of the longevous radionuclides of the Chernobyl fallout; 3. validation and improvement of models simulating the paths of radionuclides in the environment, especially in food chains, for the purpose of optimizing possible decisions on protective measures against exposure to radioactivity. (orig./HSCH)