7 Radioactive Places People Still Live In
- Why do 2,000 people refuse to leave the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone?
- Is there a town in Iran where background radiation is higher than in nuclear reactor workers?
- What happened to “The Polygon,” where the Soviets detonated 456 nuclear bombs?
When we think of radiation, we think of desolate wastelands, hazmat suits, and immediate evacuation. We assume that once a place is contaminated, it remains empty forever. But that is not always true.
Whether due to poverty, stubbornness, or government secrecy, thousands of people around the world wake up every day in zones that set Geiger counters ticking. From the frozen steppes of Kazakhstan to the rural towns of Japan, here are 7 radioactive places where life surprisingly goes on.
1. Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine (The Samosely)
After the 1986 disaster, over 100,000 people were evacuated. However, a few hundred—mostly elderly women known as “Samosely” (self-settlers)—illegally returned to their wooden cottages inside the zone. They grow their own crops in contaminated soil and drink from local wells. Despite the risks, many have outlived the evacuees who moved to the stressful cities.
Shock Fact: While tourism is now paused due to the war, the radiation levels in some parts of the Red Forest are still lethal if disturbed.
2. Ramsar, Iran
Ramsar is not the victim of a nuclear accident; it is naturally radioactive. The hot springs and soil are rich in radium and uranium. The annual radiation dose here is up to 80 times higher than the world average. Surprisingly, the National Geographic has reported that the local population shows no higher rates of cancer, leading scientists to study if they have evolved a “radio-resistance.”
3. The Polygon (Semipalatinsk), Kazakhstan
During the Cold War, the Soviet Union conducted 456 nuclear tests here. Local villagers were often told to “step outside and watch” the mushroom clouds. Today, nearly 1.5 million people still live in the fallout zone. The health effects have been devastating, with high rates of cancer and birth defects passing down through generations.
4. Mailuu-Suu, Kyrgyzstan
This town was a secret uranium mining hub for the USSR. When the Union collapsed, they left behind 23 unstable tailing dumps full of radioactive waste. The dumps are located on unstable hillsides above the river. If a landslide occurs, it could poison the water supply for millions of people in the Fergana Valley. Yet, 20,000 people still call this ticking time bomb home.
5. Fukushima City, Japan
Unlike the immediate “No-Go Zone” around the melted reactors, Fukushima City itself (60km away) remains inhabited. Following the 2011 disaster, massive decontamination efforts—literally scraping the topsoil off the earth—were undertaken. Today, life has returned to normal, and radiation levels in the city center are comparable to major global cities like London, verified by the IAEA.
6. The Hanford Site, USA (Washington State)
This was the production site for the plutonium used in the “Fat Man” bomb dropped on Nagasaki. It is the most toxic place in the Western Hemisphere, holding 56 million gallons of radioactive sludge in leaking underground tanks. Despite this, the tri-cities area nearby is booming with a population of over 200,000 people, many of whom work on the cleanup.
7. Somali Coast (The Toxic Dumping Ground)
Taking advantage of the lack of government in the 1990s and 2000s, European companies illegally dumped barrels of nuclear and hazardous waste off the coast of Somalia. The 2004 Tsunami washed these rusting barrels onto the beaches and into villages. Locals report strange rashes and health issues, but with no resources to move, they continue to fish in these waters.
Explore More Shocktrail Mysteries
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| Extreme Travel | Weird Science | Dark History |
|---|---|---|
| You Are Here: 7 Radioactive Places | Coming Soon: The Hum | 5 Lost Civilizations |
| 10 Forbidden Places | 7 Medical Anomalies | 5 FBI Unsolved Mysteries |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to visit Chernobyl now?
Prior to the 2022 conflict, it was a popular “Dark Tourism” destination with safe, guided routes. Currently, access is strictly restricted due to military activity and safety concerns.
What is background radiation?
It is the ionizing radiation present in the environment from natural sources like the sun and soil. We are all exposed to it daily, but places like Ramsar have naturally higher levels.
Can radioactive waste be destroyed?
No, radioactivity diminishes only over time (half-life). For materials like Plutonium-239, this takes 24,000 years, meaning we must store it safely rather than destroy it.
