Mongolia’s two neighbors experimented with nuclear tests. Nuclear tests were held 456 times over the past 42 years from 1942 to 1991 in Semipalatinsk in Kazakhstan, on the territory of the former Soviet Union. One research study says that these nuclear tests held by the SU in the time of cold war equals 2500 Hiroshima atomic explosions. From 1964-1996, there were 45 nuclear tests held at Lob Nuur lake, the experimental base of china in the territory of Xinjiang Uighur. Jun Takada, Prof and Dr of science, division of physics, center for Medical education, Sapporo Medical University of Japan came to Mongolia to study and investigate with Mongolian colleagues, the possible effects of nuclear
tests of these countries on the population of Mongolia that borders with Russia and China. Working in our country from March 22 to 25 professor Jun Takada participated in the First Scientific Conference of Mongolian and Japanese scientists called ‘Nuclear Radiation Protection and Hygiene’ sponsored by the Nuclear Energy Authority and Mongolian State University. Lectures were given on “Central Asia and nuclear radioactive protection of Mongolia’, “After Effects of Nuclear tests in Uighur and Kazakhstan”, “the significance of utilization of nuclear energy and security technology”. As the tests were held near Mongolia, its influence on Mongolia must be studied.

This is my goal. For this purpose, I met with Mongolian scholars and scientists.

More detailed studies will be held with Mongolian research workers,” said Professor Jun Takada.
He had no doubt that the nuclear tests held in China and Russia influenced Mongolia. We failed to carry-on investigations in this field in detail. “We cannot assume that radioactive substances stop at borders and are limited to the territories of independent states. Nuclear tests made by the Chinese in Lob Nuur had an effect on Japan, situated some 4000 km away. What about Mongolia which exists only 1000 kilometers from this test base?” Professor Takada concluded. According to research materials, the Chinese nuclear test influenced Japan. Radioactive substances have been detected in the bones of children born abnormally. In time,and in cycle, this coincided with nuclear tests held in China. Japan connects the nuclear radioactive substance found in the bones of abnormal children with the nuclear tests held at Lob Nuur. According to Japanese investigations, radioactive
substances blown by wind and driven by sand reached Japan. Meanwhile, the most powerful nuclear explosion that took place in Lob Nuur was 4 megaton,while the power capacity of nuclear tests held in Semipalatinsk was 0.4 megaton,or 10 times less.Professor Takada said that nuclear explosions pollute soil and land. This polluted soil driven by wind has already “arrived” in Mongolia. For example, judging from the general climate situation at the time when the nuclear tests were held in Semipalatinsk, the wind was blowing mostly in Mongolia’s direction. However, Semipalatinsk is located a comparatively long distance from our borders and Mongolia’s territory is absent in the way of direct influence of radioactive substances. It must be said that western regions of our country close to Lob Nuur nuclear testing were registered as a nuclear radioactive-affected zone.

Professor Takada said that when nuclear bombs explode, all people in the area of up to 200 km will die. People in a 200-500 km radius are affected from poisoned soil. They do not die immediately, but are stricken with serious disease, their hair falls out, skin goes bleached, and they suffer from blood diseases and lung tumors. “There are many such people in Uighur”, he said. The people living 500-1000 km distance may not notice the direct influence of diseases but harmful effects may generate much later in the form of growing tumors or affecting human genes.

Professor Takada explained that he came to investigate the soil that might have radioactive elements, the soil and dust which reached these places driven by the wind.

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