ABSTRACT
The ecological state in the area around the abandoned Orlovka rare-metal deposit was investigated on the basis of ecological-geochemical research. Parameters studied included detection of the spatial distribution of pollutants, sources of contamination and results of medical inspection of the most vulnerable in the local population. The investigation showed the ecological state of the territory to be normal but an increase in a number of ecology-dependent diseases was discovered after activity of the Orlovka ore processing plant was stopped.
