Releasing the results of a study carried out by the Turkish Health Ministry on the impact of the disaster, which killed hundred in Chernobyl itself and caused a massive increase in cancer in the nearby area, Akdag said that Turkey’s Black Sea region had escaped serious harm as a result of the incident. “There is no significant rise in cancer cases in the Black Sea Region when compared with other regions,” he said. “Chernobyl did not raise the cancer cases in the regions qualified as risky.”

Under the ministry’s study, people living in 20,000 households in the region were monitored during the ten year long monitoring program.

In particular, cases of thyroid cancer, which is known to be directly related to exposure to radiation, were examined, Akdag said. “We have seen that cancer cases in our country have increased in recent years,” the Minister said. “And we know this because we are keeping the registers very carefully. Certain types of cancer are on the rise, not because of radiation but because of the number of smokers is increasing.”

“Our scientists have found out that radioactivity in the Black Sea region due to the Chernobyl disaster has nothing to do with cancer cases,” said Akdag. “However, the researchers indicate that we have to be careful about additives, cigarettes, medical practices like x-rays, tomography and angiography, medicines, fertilizers, detergents, oil and oil products, and pesticides. We can be more successful in reducing cancer cases if we raise the consciousness of the people.”