[Study of the effects of some prophylactic measures and radiological contamination in Poland after the Czernobyl accident; Introduction to the research program MZ-XVII].

An aim of the introduction is to remained the scale of radiological contamination in Poland after the accident in the Czernobyl Power Station, the evaluation of findings which led to prophylactic administration of potassium iodide first in part of Poland and later Country-wide. The introduction gives also the history of Research Programme MZ-XVII and its implementation in several regions of Poland. The main aims of the Programme were: 1. Estimation of radioiodine dose accumulated in thyroids of children, youths and adults who lived in different parts of Poland and evaluation whether these doses could lead to the development of thyroid disorders. 2. Evaluation of thyroid function in those exposed to radioiodine in different trimesters of preneonatal life, who were born euthyroid and who were given potassium iodine in first days of life. 3. Evaluation of efficacy of single dose of potassium iodide and estimation of possible intrathyroid and extrathyroid side-effects after prophylactic iodide administration. The foundations of the Programme and Centers involved in its implementation are also specified.