The most comprehensive review in the world literature of medical, environmental and biological research on the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster for the population and nature. In Part I (authors A.V. Yablokov and V.B. Nesterenko), the geographical and environmental features of pollution of the territories are considered, in Part II (A.V. Yablokov) reviewed methodological approaches to clarifying the impact of Chernobyl pollution, in part III (A.V. Yablokov and N.E. Preobrazhenskaya) reviewed data on total morbidity and mortality, features of the incidence of diseases of various organs and systems in radioactively contaminated areas, in part IV (A.V. Yablokov, A.V. Nesterenko, N.E. Preobrazhenskaya) - consequences for nature, and in part V (V.B. Nesterenko, A.V. Nesterenko) - ways to minimize the consequences of the Catastrophe for the affected population.