Estonia's veterans of Chernobyl

Photo: Sander Ilvest / Postimees

• From Estonia, 4,833 men were sent to liquidate effects of Chernobyl nuclear disaster, mainly aged 20–39. Most were dispatched under aegis of army reservist training.  
• 85 percent of the men were on location for three to four months while the rules were two months max.
• The men performed transport, building, and demolition works, separated the contaminated soil with spades and participated in building the broken sarcophagus of the reactor.  
• The main protective measure was a cotton-muslin mask, but many did not even wear that. 30–40 percent of the men were given iodine preparations, but often with delays.
• 87 percent of those sent to Chernobyl had officially registered doses of radiation, entered into army service certificate or military list. All received a very large dose of radiation while not confirmed by official data. Most who went there got twice the radiation of a usual lifespan.
• 2008–2013 a mental health survey was conducted among Estonian veterans revealing that up to 40 percent was suffering from mood or anxiety issues, or had problems with alcohol.
• As at beginning of 2015, up to 3,000 Chernobyl veterans were dwelling in Estonia.

Source: Estonian Chernobyl Society