Abstract

MIRANDA, Fábio Jesus et al. Goiânia's radioactive accident: "does time heal it all?". Arq. bras. psicol. [online]. 2005, vol.57, n.1, pp. 59-87. ISSN 1809-5267.

The Radioactive accident with Cesium 137 in Goiânia is the second largest incident involving radioactive substance after Chernobyl. This study is a follow up and aims at studying the perception of the people directly affected by the accident, with emphasis on surveys of the victims' views of their problems at the critical moment and remnants after 3 years, and those manifested in their statements to the newspapers after 15 years of the accident launching. It also registers a systematic evaluation of the accident, as well as the reactions and feelings described by the victims. It concludes that radioactive contaminated people underwent severe physical, psychological and social suffering. The comparison between the results of both studies points out the victims' problems and concerns: health and psychological issues, prejudice, disregard and omission of the authorities, the impossibility of overcoming the trauma. Such problems and concerns are still part of their lives, being their present and future most acute fears.

Keywords : Radioactive accident; Psychological effects; General health.

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