According to official data, 29 explosions occurred over this time period. 24000 missiles and 180 battlefield weapons have been tested, hundreds of long and medium-range missiles have been destroyed and the CC-20 missile has been fired 619 times, releasing over 30 tons of highly toxic chemicals into the atmosphere with each blast. Consequently, a significant part of the territory of the polygons and adjacent territories are polluted with radionuclides, highly toxic missile fuel and heavy metals.
The first underground nuclear test on Azgir was conducted 160 meters underground, only 1,5 km from residents who live in the village of Azgir. For over 20 days following the explosion radioactive gas from the underground cavities leaked into the atmosphere. During the subsequent blasts the release of poisonous gases continued for two to eleven months discharging 10 million curies of radiation into the atmosphere. Additionally, radioactivity in the underground cavities of the Azgir nuclear polygon which total 1,2 million cubic meters in volume is extremely high. Radionuclides from these cavities can be observed throughout the region's food chain.
Moreover, a significant portion of the territory has been contaminated with highly toxic missile fuel. Specialists have concluded that even extremely small doses of geptil, a compound found in missile fuel, are toxic to human beings. Levels of geptil on a significant portion of the Atyrau oblast exceed 10 to15 times allowable levels. Highly toxic materials such as thallium, strontium, cadmium, bromium, nitrates and others have also been identified on a significant portion of the territory.
Khaki Sor, a large salt lake, is located in Western Kazakhstan oblast. It was used as a storage facility for a variety of poisonous substances. Initial studies by local scientists have shown massive lake contamination. The district's ground water has been contaminated, tens of wells tested for water quality are polluted. Nevertheless, local residents drink from these wells while the atomic scientists working at Azgir import their water from Russia.
Rates of decease, mortality and children born with disabilities are increasing. At the polygon craters have taken the place of forests and topsoil, and scrap from tanks, missiles and airplanes as well as other equipment is strewn across a large area. The scrap disintegrates and dissolves in the water supply increasing the degree of contamination.