Awareness and attitudes of Mydlovary residents resulting from risks of radioactivity leak from the former uranium ore processing plant MAPE Mydlovary

In South Bohemia, near the Czech town of České Budějovice, in close vicinity of municipalities of Mydlovary, Nákří, Olešník, Zahájí and Dívčice, there are 286 ha of uranium tailings impoundments, along with the former uranium ore processing plant known as MAPE Mydlovary. Althought this company terminated its operation in 1991, significant tailings impoundments contaminants, such as dust, radon emissions and gamma radiation are being found here. Nevertheless, radon emissions still represent a risk to the population in the neighborhood and airborne radon poses a risk also to other areas. Therefore, residents in a wide neighbourhood have long been loaded with increased doses of radiation. The thesis deals with negative consequences of the former uranium ore processing plant MAPE Mydlovary on human health and also describes the process of clearing works in progress in the locality. In this thesis, the level of awareness of Mydlovary residents, their opinions and attitudes to the damaged area are also mentioned. The theoretical part of the thesis is focused first on a brief description and history of the former uranium ore plant, the consequences of the MAPE Mydlovary activities and associated risks (e.g. higher doses of radon), which put inhabitants of nearby villages under threat. The next section provides information on the residents´ attitudes to decontamination works performed at the site and associated problems. The practical part of this thesis is devoted to the research, the aim was to determine if and to what extent Mydlovary residents are aware of the potential damage to land, water, air, and a possible negative impact on their health. The research also provides information on the residents´ attitudes to decontamination works at the site and about the preferred usage of the damaged area after decontamination is completed. The research was conducted by addressing 73 residents of Mydlovary in the period from January to March 2010. The results prove a relatively high awareness of Mydlovary residents about negative effects of radioactive substances and hazardous contaminants on their health, and also point to a lack of the respondents´ awareness about decontamination works and outline the current worries of Mydlovary residents