Mysteries Department
Sign inRequest access
0

Why was beta contamination found on some of the clothing?

Asked 26 Oct 2026 by ·Part of What made nine experienced ski-tourers cut their way out of the tent and leave it, underdressed, in the dark?·4 answers·0·0 following
Most likely: two members (Krivonishenko and Kolevatov) had worked at or near nuclear facilities and their clothing carried…Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted.

Where it stands

Four answers have been proposed. Two members (Krivonishenko and Kolevatov) had worked at or near nuclear facilities and their clothing carried… leads, with evidence 1 for: partly supported by its tests. Three are still possible.

Why it matters

The radiological examination in the case file found contamination on several clothing items from the ravine bodies above background, and it is the main physical support for the military and secret-service readings⁠[1].

Answers 4

Evidence: 1 for
Most likely
A radioactive source connected to the event itself.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: 1 against
Still possible
Evidence: 1 against
Still possible
None of these.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: none yet
Still possible

History

  1. Prosecutor's Office of Sverdlovsk Oblast (Ivanov puts forward: atmospheric fallout from 1950s testing, concentrated by weeks in meltwater.
  2. Prosecutor's Office of Sverdlovsk Oblast (Ivanov: the 1959 expert noted that water flow could have reduced rather than raised the contamination, implying…Against: Atmospheric fallout from 1950s testing, concentrated by weeks in meltwater.
  3. Prosecutor's Office of Sverdlovsk Oblast (Ivanov: only some clothing items were tested and found contaminated; no systematic survey of bodies or equipment was…Against: A radioactive source connected to the event itself.
  4. Wikipedia contributors puts forward: two members (Krivonishenko and Kolevatov) had worked at or near nuclear facilities and their clothing carried…
  5. Wikipedia contributors puts forward: a radioactive source connected to the event itself.
  6. Wikipedia contributors: krivonishenko had worked at the Mayak complex; clothing was exchanged among the group.For: Two members (Krivonishenko and Kolevatov) had worked at or near nuclear facilities and their clothing carried…
  7. Asked on this site
Add evidence
1What it bears on2What you found3Where it comes from
Which answer?
Does it count for or against it?
In a sentence, what did you find?
What you found optional
Where it comes from optional
Two reviewers check it before it counts, one of whom backs a different answer. You'll hear back by email: accepted, needs changes, or a duplicate.
Propose an answer
Your answer, in a sentence
What would rule it out? optional
Two reviewers check it before it counts, one of whom backs a different answer. You'll hear back by email: accepted, needs changes, or a duplicate.
Ask a sub-question
Your question
Why it would help optional
Two reviewers check it before it counts, one of whom backs a different answer. You'll hear back by email: accepted, needs changes, or a duplicate.
Add a source
The source
What it shows about this question optional
Two reviewers check it before it counts, one of whom backs a different answer. You'll hear back by email: accepted, needs changes, or a duplicate.

Discussion 0

Add to the discussion