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.

In the late 1960s, a uranium province was explored in the Shu-Sarysu depression in southern Kazakhstan. These mining operations can lead to potential contamination of the environment and pose health risks to the population. The aim of this study is to carry out environmental monitoring in uranium deposits and assess indoor radon levels in settlements located in the uranium mining area in the southern region of Kazakhstan. Elevated outdoor ambient equivalent dose rates (0.5–1.2 µSv/h) were detected beyond the buffer zone, particularly near a preserved self-flowing well, where the highest activity concentrations of natural radionuclides were recorded (²²⁶Ra—2350 Bq/kg, ²³²Th—270 Bq/kg, ⁴⁰K—860 Bq/kg), exceeding background levels. Indoor ambient equivalent dose rates in the settlements of Taukent, Zhuantobe, Tasty, and Shu ranged from 0.04 to 0.15 μSv/h, while outdoor levels varied from 0.03 to 0.1 μSv/h, remaining within global and regional average values. Radon concentrations were highest in Tasty and Shu but did not exceed the permissible level. However, Shu exhibited the highest radiation exposure dose (>4 mSv/y), approaching the lower range of recommended action levels (3–10 mSv/y). These findings highlight the necessity for continuous monitoring and potential mitigation strategies in areas with naturally elevated radiation levels.

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.

Background/Objectives: Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas and the leading source of natural radiation exposure worldwide; however, its systemic biological effects in children remain poorly understood. This study examined the association between cumulative indoor radon exposure and inflammatory biomarkers among children residing in rural communities of the Aqmola region in Kazakhstan. Methods: The study included 87 children and adolescents (42 exposed and 45 controls). Radon exposure was measured in residential and school environments, and a composite Radon Exposure Index (REI) was constructed to estimate cumulative exposure over time. Serum concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-8 (IL-8), were measured using validated immunoassay methods. Multivariable linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, pubertal development stage, and heating type were used to evaluate associations between REI and biomarker levels. Results: Children and adolescents living in the radon-exposed community had significantly higher REI values than controls (7.75 ± 0.85 vs.4.83 ± 0.41, respectively). Among the biomarkers examined, CRP, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8 and IL-6 were not significantly associated with radon exposure. Conclusions: These findings do not support the use of the evaluated inflammatory biomarkers as indicators of early biological effects of environmental radon exposure in this population. However, the clear exposure contrast observed between study settings underscores the ongoing public health relevance of radon as an environmental hazard. Continued efforts to monitor and mitigate radon exposure in high-risk regions remain essential, particularly in environments where children spend substantial amounts of time.

Background: Radon exposure is the second most important risk factor for lung cancer after tobacco smoking and represents a significant but often underestimated public health problem. Due to the absence of specific clinical manifestations at early stages, the identification of molecular biomarkers reflecting early radon-induced carcinogenic processes is of particular importance. The aim of this study was to identify protein biomarkers associated with radon exposure in lung cancer patients residing in settlements of the Akmola and North Kazakhstan regions of Kazakhstan. Methods: Indoor radon exposure was assessed using CR-39 detectors to measure radon concentrations in residential dwellings during summer and autumn periods. The study included 57 lung cancer patients and 73 control subjects residing in areas characterized by varying levels of radon exposure. Plasma samples were collected and analyzed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) to identify differentially expressed proteins associated with lung cancer and radon exposure. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate differences between groups and associations between radon exposure and molecular biomarkers. Results: Seasonal variability in indoor radon concentrations was observed, with several settlements demonstrating levels exceeding international reference values. Proteomic analysis identified multiple proteins differentially expressed between lung cancer patients and controls, as well as between radon-exposed and non-exposed lung cancer patients. Several proteins involved in inflammation, lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and immune regulation pathways demonstrated significant differences in expression levels, suggesting potential associations with radon-induced carcinogenic mechanisms. LC–MS/MS proteomic profiling identified multiple differentially expressed proteins associated with lung cancer and radon exposure after false discovery rate correction. Proteins involved in inflammation, oxidative stress, immune regulation, and lipid metabolism, including ORM2, AZGP1, PRDX2, IRF7, and APOC3, demonstrated significant expression differences between radon-exposed and low-exposure groups. Conclusions: The identified protein biomarkers demonstrated significant associations with both radon exposure and lung cancer status, indicating their potential relevance for early detection and risk assessment of radon-induced lung cancer. The integration of environmental exposure assessment with proteomic profiling may provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of radon-associated carcinogenesis and support the development of preventive strategies.

The problem of environmental pollution remains one of the most pressing issues of our time, affecting all countries and regions of the world. The purpose of the study is to assess the cytomorphological state of the buccal epithelium of the cheeks and rhinocytogram in individuals living in the city of Stepnogorsk under conditions of high technogenic stress. Non-invasive smears were collected from the nasal mucosa and buccal cheeks of 20 individuals from Stepnogorsk and 20 controls from a relatively clean area. Cytomorphological analysis revealed significant structural and functional alterations in the exposed group. In buccal epithelial cells, the frequency of apoptotic corpuscles increased from 0.0 ± 0.0% in controls to 5.9 ± 0.1% in the exposed group; karyorrhexis from 15.4 ± 1.4 to 33.2 ± 2.2%; and binucleated cells from 0.5 ± 0.1 to 3.1 ± 0.1%. Normal epithelial cells decreased significantly from 76.2 ± 4.8 to 28.8 ± 2.5%, and vacuolar dystrophy increased to 10.6 ± 1.0%. Microbial contamination with staphylococci and streptococci rose from 12.0 ± 2.8 to 35.2 ± 3.6%, suggesting a weakened mucosal barrier. These changes indicate cytotoxic, genotoxic, and inflammatory responses likely linked to chronic environmental exposure. The nasal and buccal mucosae, as primary contact surfaces, serve as sensitive indicators of environmental health hazards. Our findings emphasize the importance of regular biomonitoring using cytological techniques in high-risk populations. Such assessments can aid in the early detection of adverse health effects and guide preventive and environmental remediation strategies.