54 Laura Sembritzki
became the leading institute of Radiation Hygiene (radiatsionnaia gigiena) in
the early 1960s. Together with the Institute of occupational diseases, it played
an important role in the development of occupational radiation protection
regulations.
Overall, research relating to radiation was a sensitive subject within the
Soviet Union. When Paul R. Josephson stated that “although there were
a great number of civilian and military laboratories connected to issues of
radiobiology, radiochemistry, radiogenetics, and radiotoxicology, issues of
secrecy and national security prevented any systematic study of classified
materials and precluded publication even when there was a study,” 26 he points
out one important trait of nuclear research: secrecy. However, although classified material and secretiveness prevented any form of the publication of
research findings, not to speak of open research, many indications pointed
to that within closed research institutes radiation-related research was conducted. Nonetheless, these institutes were closed, and the knowledge produced remained within a closed party, state, and scientific elite.
Nevertheless, in the region of Chelyabinsk, the regional branches of major
institutions in radiation safety played a significant role in assessing risks and as
a consultative capacity for a given period regarding questions such as: which
measures should be taken immediately, which measures could be delayed,
and which measures were not even necessary? Under which conditions could
permanent residence be continued? Under which conditions could labor be
carried out without endangering the workers? Risk assessment under the
conditions of strict secretiveness based on scientific advice became a resource
of political and administrative relevance. Thus, the following section will
discuss – on the basis of the ChLenNIIRG – a window of opportunity in
regional radiation expertise.
Regional Radiation Expertise – ChLenNIIRG
The ChLenNIIRG was established after the accident of 1957 with the primary
purpose of taking care of the affected rural population. Besides this, its tasks
included providing radiation expertise to assist the enforcement of occupational radiation safety in the region. Thus, the ChLenNIIRG and the oblast’s
Sanitary and Epidemiological Station closely cooperated with its radiological
group. Their cooperation went so far that Igor’ K. Dibobes, the director of
the ChLenNIIRG and later the FIB-4, called himself State Sanitary Inspector
or State Sanitary Inspector of the contaminated areas. He used that signature
to sign reports written on the letterhead of the ChLenNIIRG. Furthermore,
the radiological group was housed in the building of the ChLenNIIRG and
used its laboratory and equipment. 27
In November 1959, Dibobes issued recommendations on how to proceed
with relocations performed by workers of the special (de)construction unit
of the oblast’ administration. This recommendation was based on the temporary health regulation SP № 233-57 that represented the first Soviet
became the leading institute of Radiation Hygiene (radiatsionnaia gigiena) in
the early 1960s. Together with the Institute of occupational diseases, it played
an important role in the development of occupational radiation protection
regulations.
Overall, research relating to radiation was a sensitive subject within the
Soviet Union. When Paul R. Josephson stated that “although there were
a great number of civilian and military laboratories connected to issues of
radiobiology, radiochemistry, radiogenetics, and radiotoxicology, issues of
secrecy and national security prevented any systematic study of classified
materials and precluded publication even when there was a study,” 26 he points
out one important trait of nuclear research: secrecy. However, although classified material and secretiveness prevented any form of the publication of
research findings, not to speak of open research, many indications pointed
to that within closed research institutes radiation-related research was conducted. Nonetheless, these institutes were closed, and the knowledge produced remained within a closed party, state, and scientific elite.
Nevertheless, in the region of Chelyabinsk, the regional branches of major
institutions in radiation safety played a significant role in assessing risks and as
a consultative capacity for a given period regarding questions such as: which
measures should be taken immediately, which measures could be delayed,
and which measures were not even necessary? Under which conditions could
permanent residence be continued? Under which conditions could labor be
carried out without endangering the workers? Risk assessment under the
conditions of strict secretiveness based on scientific advice became a resource
of political and administrative relevance. Thus, the following section will
discuss – on the basis of the ChLenNIIRG – a window of opportunity in
regional radiation expertise.
Regional Radiation Expertise – ChLenNIIRG
The ChLenNIIRG was established after the accident of 1957 with the primary
purpose of taking care of the affected rural population. Besides this, its tasks
included providing radiation expertise to assist the enforcement of occupational radiation safety in the region. Thus, the ChLenNIIRG and the oblast’s
Sanitary and Epidemiological Station closely cooperated with its radiological
group. Their cooperation went so far that Igor’ K. Dibobes, the director of
the ChLenNIIRG and later the FIB-4, called himself State Sanitary Inspector
or State Sanitary Inspector of the contaminated areas. He used that signature
to sign reports written on the letterhead of the ChLenNIIRG. Furthermore,
the radiological group was housed in the building of the ChLenNIIRG and
used its laboratory and equipment. 27
In November 1959, Dibobes issued recommendations on how to proceed
with relocations performed by workers of the special (de)construction unit
of the oblast’ administration. This recommendation was based on the temporary health regulation SP № 233-57 that represented the first Soviet