high radon level in area

[vladm]

Some time ago, I've heard about existence of the secret map covering Alexander Palace grounds with very high level of radon. I found confirmation of the theory in report done by Finnish Ministry of the Environment, original report can be found at:
http://www.ymparisto.fi/download.asp?contentid=77015&lan=en

Here some cut out from it:

Natural (geological) radiation is rather high in many areas of St. Petersburg; about 75 % of radiation (mainly radon) originating from the natural sources. In order to protect the population from this natural radiation the program "Radon – St. Petersburg" was launched in 1996 with studies on radon-based radiation of the territory and buildings. Studies showed that buildings in two districts – Pushkinsky and Krasnoselsky – have high radon concentrations. Hazardous buildings were identified also in the towns of Krasnoe Selo, Pushkin, Pavlovsk, and Tsarskoye Selo.

[EmmyLee]

How exactly does this affect Tsarskoe Selo, let alone the AP then? Are visitors in danger from the radon? What do you mean by a "secret map"?

[Michael HR]

Would our fingers drop of, go blind or how does it affect one? Just wondering...

[vladm]

How exactly does this affect Tsarskoe Selo, let alone the AP then? Are visitors in danger from the radon? What do you mean by a "secret map"?

Radon is radioactive gas, but usually people getting affected by it, who has constant exposure - residents and employees, problems can be from birth defects to terminal illness. "Secret map" exist because Russian government prefer not disclose this type of information, but measurements has been taken some time during 60th or 70th last century, and to my knowledge during the 90th.

[BobAtchison]

There are lots of things buried around the palace that shouldn't be there.  It is actually quite scary.  This is true in and around St. Petersburg from the time when it was a military/naval town and all sorts of things were built and disposed of there.  Ten years ago there were radioactive isotopes in the canal right by the Stroganov Palace.

[EmmyLee]

This is scary to think about. Is there any way the residents and employees can protect themselves from the radon?

[Michael HR]

Still won't stop me visiting mind you. Cant wait to get there next year and have a good look around.At first I thought a week but now know that will not be long enough. Short of nuclear radiation I'm up for it.

[vladm]

Actually radon was there all the time, even before Naval Research Institute. I grew up myself in this area, and spent in vicinity of the palace  more time, than most of you all combine. I release this post not to alarm you about harm, because some of you leave in similar condition:

but raise the question, about Romanov family and servants health possibility, if radon effected anyhow some illnesses, they blamed on tuberculosis everything, but I think some possibility could be long cancer, direct result of the exposure to radon.

[EmmyLee]

Still won't stop me visiting mind you. Cant wait to get there next year and have a good look around.At first I thought a week but now know that will not be long enough. Short of nuclear radiation I'm up for it.

Oh, sure, the radon wouldn't stop me from visiting the palace. If I had the money and the time off, I would be there in a flash.

[BobAtchison]

I think the problem is much worse than radon - the entire Petersburg area is a toxic dump.  Things that should have safely removed were just buried, tossed or left to rot.  We have similar areas in the USA.  I am sure the Russians will deal with this in time.  It will just take a while.