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Birth (June 25, 1942)
- Location: Russia
- Background: Born into a family of engineers, Bugorski developed an early interest in science and technology.
- Education: Showed academic promise from a young age, eventually pursuing higher education in physics.
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Education in Physics (1960s)
- University: Enrolled in Moscow State University.
- Focus: Studying physics.
- Influence: Mentored by prominent physicists, shaping his future career in scientific research.
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Institute for High Energy Physics (1967)
- Role: Bugorski was a researcher here.
- Research: U-70 synchrotron, a nuclear particle accelerator was built in 1967, contributing to significant experiments in high-energy physics.
- Environment: The institute was a leading center for nuclear research, attracting top scientists.
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The Particle Accelerator Incident (July 13, 1978)
- Accident: While working on a proton accelerator U-70 Synchrotron, Bugorski accidentally exposed himself to a beam of protons
- Injury: Over 3,000 Gys at once, the beam struck his face, causing severe damage to his skull and brain.
- Immediate Response: Felt no pain, told no one, and continued to work rest of day.
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Medical Treatment (July 14, 1978)
- Symptoms: Woke up to entire left side of face horrifically swollen and couldn't hear in left ear.
- Challenges: Doctors did not believe his story. Referred to intensive care for initial treatment.
- Outcome: Later on, he was referred to top secret clinic that treats victims of radiation. Incident and medical records were kept secret.
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Long-term Effects and Recovery (1979-1980s)
- Physical Symptoms: Experienced paralysis on one left side of face, loss of hearing on left ear, and epileptic seizures.
- Cognitive Changes: Suffered little to no damage to his intellectual capacity. Fatigue of mental work increased.
- Adaptation: Bugorski adapted to his new reality, continuing his scientific work despite the challenges.
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Return to Work (1980s)
- Continued Education: Completed his PhD
- Continued Work: Returned to his position at the institute, focusing on theoretical and experimental physics.
- Resilience: Demonstrated remarkable resilience, inspiring colleagues and students.
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Recognition of the Incident (1990s)
- Secret Unfolded: When the fall of the Iron Curtain happened, he was finally able to talk about the accident.
- Media Attention: His case caught media attention, leading to discussions about radiation safety and occupational hazards in physics.
- Scientific Community: Became a subject of study regarding the effects of radiation on the human body.
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Disability Application (1996)
- Disability Status: Applied for disability status to get epilepsy medication for free, budget cuts made it hard to pay for the medication.
- Reason: Not qualified due to accident being classified and type of accident was not indicated.
- Outcome: Was denied and was not able to get his epilepsy medication for free.
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Retirement and Reflection (2000s)
- Retirement: Bugorski retired from active research but remained involved in the scientific community.
- Legacy: His story became a cautionary tale, emphasizing the need for safety protocols in scientific environments.
- Research: Tried to make himself available to Western researchers but was unable to afford to leave Protvino.