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.

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.

Background/Objectives: Cancer incidence and mortality are key epidemiological indicators for evaluating the long-term biological effects of chronic low-dose radiation exposure. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence, structure, and relative risk of digestive tract cancers (ICD-10 C15–C26) among populations exposed and not exposed from uranium waste storage site in North Kazakhstan over a 10-year period (2014–2023). Methods: A retrospective population-based analysis was conducted using national cancer registry data, including data for residents of Stepnogorsk and nearby settlements (exposed group) and Akkol (control group). Results: A total of 588 cases were identified, including 465 in the exposed group and 123 in the control group. The mean age at diagnosis was similar (~65 years), and most cases were diagnosed at advanced stages (III–IV: ~58–60%). The leading cancer types were colorectal (38–40%) and stomach (29–31%) in both groups. The incidence rates were comparable (85.27 vs. 87.40 per 100,000), with an overall relative risk (RR) of 0.98 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.80–1.19), indicating no significant difference. Site-specific analysis showed no significant variation for esophageal, stomach, or colorectal cancers. A higher, but not statistically significant, risk was observed for pancreatic cancer (RR = 1.61; 95% CI: 0.90–2.89). Temporal analysis demonstrated similar trends in both populations, with incidence rates decreasing from 91.37 to 79.08 per 100,000 in the exposed group and from 97.40 to 78.13 per 100,000 in the control group between 2014–2018 and 2019–2023. Conclusions: Overall, digestive tract cancer incidence and structure were comparable between groups, with no statistically significant increase in the exposed population.

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.

Радиоактивті қалдық қоймаларынан туындайтын ықтимал қауіптілік деңгейі әртүрлі болуы мүмкін. Қалдықтар қоймасынан шығарылған уранның жергілікті тұрғындар үшін әсері туралы қорытынды жасауға мүмкіндік беретін зерттеулер қажет. Жұмыстың мақсаты радиоактивті қалдықтар қоймасының маңында орналасқан Ақсу елді мекенінің тұрғындарынан алынған биологиялық үлгілердегі (несеп, шаш) уранның мөлшерін зерттеу. Зерттеу барысында радиоактивті қалдықтар қоймасының маңында орналасқан Ақсу елді мекенінде орташа ұзақтығы 30 жыл тұратын жергілікті тұрғындардан алынған биологиялық үлгілерде уранның мөлшері анықталды. Несеп үлгілеріне қарағанда шаш үлгілерінде уранның мөлшері жоғары болатыны айқындалды. Алынған мәліметтерді несептегі уранның нормативті мөлшерін айқындауда пайдалануға болады. Сонымен қатар биологиялық үлгілердегі анықталған уранның мөлшері радиациялық қауіпсіздікті сақтау шараларында биоиндикаторлық көрсеткіш бола алады.