The increase in uranium mining in Kazakhstan has brought with it a number of problems. Reducing the negative impact of radiation-toxic factors on the health of workers and the population in uranium mining regions is one of them. This article presents a pilot population health study in which we developed approaches to support residents living near an operating uranium mining enterprise. The purpose of the current study was to assess the impact of technogenic factors on the health of those living near the Syrdarya uranium ore province. Data collected from 5605 residents from the village of Bidaykol (the main group)—which is located 4 km from the uranium mining enterprise—and the village of Sunakata (the control group), which is located in the Kyzylorda region, were analyzed. A bidirectional cohort study was conducted. The prevalence of acute and chronic diseases among the residents of Bidaykol was 1.3 times higher than that in the control group. The structure of morbidity was dominated by pathologies of the genitourinary system (27%), the circulatory system (14.4%), and the respiratory system (11.9%). Relative risks (RR > 1) were identified for most classes of diseases, the highest being for diseases of the blood (RR = 2.6), skin (RR = 2.3), and genitourinary system (RR = 1.9). In the main group, renal pathologies were the most frequent class in the age group of 30–40 years, occurring mainly in women. In addition, they had a direct dependence on the duration of residence in the territory of the uranium ore province. Further studies into the interaction between the technogenic factors associated with uranium mining enterprises and the development of diseases of the urinary system are needed. This will make it possible to determine ways to prevent these pathologies in the population.

Radon is an inert gas produced by the radioactive decay of uranium-238, commonly found in the environment. Radon and its decay products are the main sources of human exposure to radiation from natural sources. When inhaled, radon’s alpha particles impact lung tissue, potentially causing lung cancer by damaging DNA and altering oxidative processes. This review article addresses the need for a deeper understanding of the genetic and molecular changes associated with radon-induced lung cancer, aiming to clarify key genetic mutations and protein markers linked to carcinogenesis. Particular attention in recent studies has been given to mutations in tumor suppressor genes (RASSF1, TP53), oncogenes (KRAS, EGFR), and changes in the expression levels of protein biomarkers associated with inflammation, stress, and apoptosis. Identifying these markers is critical for developing effective screening methods for radon-induced lung cancer, enabling timely identification of high-risk patients and supporting effective preventive strategies. Summarizing current genetic and protein biomarkers, this review highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach to studying radon-induced carcinogenesis. Understanding these molecular mechanisms could ultimately improve early diagnostic methods and enhance therapy for cancers associated with radon exposure.

Among the Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan is experiencing significant growth in uranium production and plays a key role in the mining industry. The aim of this study was to assess environmental gamma radiation levels and indoor radon concentrations in the settlements of Aqsu, Saumalkol, and Arykbalyk—situated in regions with a history of uranium mining activities—to evaluate potential radiation exposure risks to the local population. Measurements of ambient gamma radiation dose rates indicated that Saumalkol exhibited the highest variability, with recorded values reaching up to 0.56 ± 0.19 µSv/h, suggesting potential influence from abandoned mining areas. The equivalent equilibrium volume activity of radon revealed severe contamination in Aqsu (mean: 303 ± 57 Bq/m³, max: 4974 Bq/m³) and Saumalkol (mean: 658 ± 114 Bq/m³, max: 2470 Bq/m³). These findings underscore the need for immediate intervention measures such as improved ventilation and radon mitigation strategies to reduce exposure risks and protect residents from radiation-induced health hazards. This study presents a screening method to identify areas with potential radon risks. However, radon dose assessment requires long-term measurements for accurate evaluation of exposure levels and health risks, with extended monitoring needed for comprehensive assessment.

Residential exposure to radon and environmental gamma radiation poses a significant public health concern in uranium-rich regions. The Akmola Region of Kazakhstan, home to one of the world’s largest uranium tailings sites, lacks localized data on seasonal exposure variations and associated health risks. This study assessed indoor radon progeny concentrations and gamma dose rates in 62 dwellings across two settlements—Aqsu and Zavodskoy—in the Akmola Region during autumn 2023 through summer 2024. Using RAMON-02 and Alpharad Plus detectors, seasonal equivalent equilibrium volumetric activity (EEVA) of radon progeny and effective doses were calculated, stratified by presence of a cellar. In Aqsu, ambient dose equivalent rates reached up to 0.55 µSv/h, and winter median EEVA levels exceeded 130 Bq/m³ in some non-cellar homes. Seasonal effective doses peaked in spring (up to 8.82 mSv) in cellar dwellings, with annual doses reaching 23.5 mSv—substantially higher than in Zavodskoy. Although mitigation efforts have reduced exposure in some homes, several cellar dwellings in Aqsu exhibited persistently elevated EEVA, suggesting potential structural vulnerabilities or residual contamination. These findings underscore significant seasonal and structural disparities in radiation exposure and highlight the need for targeted, site-specific interventions to reduce long-term health risks in affected communities.

Chronic exposure to ionizing radiation from uranium legacy sites remains a significant public health concern in Northern Kazakhstan. This review evaluates epidemiological, clinical, and environmental evidence published between 2000 and 2025, with particular emphasis on studies conducted during 2014–2023 in the Stepnogorsk region among populations residing near former uranium mining sites. Residents were exposed to annual external gamma doses of approximately 1.0–3.5 mSv and radon-related doses of up to 1.2 mSv. Cancer registry analyses revealed 1913 malignancy cases in the exposed group (vs. 358 controls), with digestive (29%) and respiratory (17%) cancers predominating. Early signs of chronic radiation syndrome (CRS) were consistently observed, including olfactory dysfunction, immunosuppression, vestibular disturbances, hematologic anomalies, and elevated chromosomal aberrations (1.3–1.5× baseline). Non-cancer morbidity was also elevated, including hypertension (32% vs. 24%), chronic bronchitis (14% vs. 8%), and reduced forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁; −9.7%), indicating broader systemic effects. These results underscore the need for targeted public health strategies incorporating CRS biomarker screening, cancer surveillance, personal dosimetry, and environmental remediation in uranium-impacted communities.

Purpose of the article are studying the risk of chronic somatic diseases among uranium industry workers exposed to occupational radiation exposure, depending on the length of work and total accumulated radiation dose. Material and methods: Results of cohort retrospective study among persons exposed to long-term influence of negative man-made factors on frequency and risk of somatic diseases in uranium industry workers are presented. The study covers 356 people of the group A staff of the Stepnogorsk Mining and Chemical Combine (SMCC) and 507 workers who make up the monitoring group. The study of results statistical analysis was carried out using IBM SPSS Statistics 20 and Microsoft Excel. The following criteria and methods of statistical study were used to analyze the study data: Pearsons chi-squared test and correlation analysis. Results: The results revealed a high prevalence of chronic diseases of workers of the main group, as well as a relationship with the total accumulated dose and experience with sources of ionizing radiation. Excessive relative risks have been identified for diseases of the endocrine and nervous system, eye, ear, circulation, digestion and skin. Cardiovascular pathology represented by essential arterial hypertension and coronary heart disease, was the most characteristic of the uranium industry. Conclusion: In the studied cohort of workers, the prevalence of diseases depended on the length of work in the enterprise and the dose of radiation for diseases of the circulatory system, digestion, eye and nervous system. Diseases of the circulatory system, nervous, endocrine system, ear, skin can be classified as professionally conditioned.