Very interesting and thanks for sharing. The author must have traveled to the region quite a bit. She has that look and complexion on her face, like someone been close to radioactive materials one time too many.
Just really how safe it is to travel to that region? I can't be sure with long exposure in there is heathy for anybody. Even just for couple of hours. Those stuff has a half life of 2,000 years for God's sake.
Almost feel like taking a shower immediately after looking through the links