A change in your voice or a lump in your throat could be a sign of a thyroid disorder. One way to check is to take a good look at your neck to see if you can detect any signs of thyroid swelling. You can do a physical check of your own thyroid at home with these directions from The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists: Using a hand mirror, watch your throat as you swallow a drink of water.
The Exclusion Zone covers an area of approximately 2,600 km2 (1,000 sq mi) in Ukraine immediately surrounding the Chernobyl nuclear power plant where radioactive contamination from fallout is highest and public access and inhabitation are restricted.
Radiation warning sign in Pripyat. The Chernobyl Zone appeared owing to the radiation contamination of the area adjacent to the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, when several decades ago its reactor 4 exploded. The bulk of the radiation, which escaped from it, fell within the borders of the contemporary Chernobyl Zone. Up to now in the Zone there are places with considerably elevated and perhaps even deadly radiation.