A Little History: the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster
Considered one of the worst nuclear disasters ever, the nuclear accident at Chernobyl on April 26, 1986 had a heavy impact on life, health and the environment. It caused agony to people in the Ukraine, Belarus and Russia and anxiety far away from these countries. The economic losses and social dislocation were severe in a region already under strain.

After the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, Soviet scientists began doing research for substances that could be used to treat the victims. Through their efforts, the Russians discovered that a polysaccharide called U-Fucoidan, contained in Brown Laminaria Japonica seaweed, was an excellent absorber of radioactive elements. Thus it was used to treat the victims exposed to the radiation and further research began in order to study this remarkable substance, U-fucoidan.

Sources
http://library.thinkquest.org/3426/?tqskip1=1&tqtime=0722