The tragedy of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine occurred early in the morning of April 26, 1986 (International Atomic Energy Association). The 4th of 16 nuclear reactors was being tested prior to routine shutdown. The test would determine how long turbines would spin to supply power following a loss of electrical power. Similar tests had been carried out in the past at Chernobyl and other power plants. During these low power tests, the reactors were known to be very unstable. The first step of this test was to disable the automatic shutdown. Then, a flow of coolant water diminished and the power output increased. A design flaw caused a power surge as the operator moved to shut down the reactor. Fuel elements ruptured the reactor as an explosive steam forced off the cover plate, releasing radioactive materials into the atmosphere. A second explosion threw out burning fuel and graphite. As air rushed in, the graphite blocks burst into flames, heightening the emission of radioactive elements (World Nuclear Association).
Though disputed among experts, it is assumed that 1200 tonnes of graphite burned over 9 days. This was the cause of the main release of radioactivity into the environment (World Nuclear Association). Though over 100 radioactive elements were released into the environment, the primary and most dangerous elements released were Iodine (Half-life 8 days), Strontium (Half-life 29 years), and Caesium (Half-life 30 years) (IAEA). Helicopters dropped 5000 tonnes of boron, dolomite, sand, clay, and lead onto the core of the reactor in an effort to extinguish the flame and stop the release of radioactive particles. Thousands of Ukrainian firefighters were brought in to capsize the flames burning throughout the power plant. Though the majority of the flames were put out within a few hours, the first casualties were firefighters. 28 firefighters died from Acute Radiation Sickness. Many people in the surrounding area were in danger (WNA).
To lessen the chances of poisoning and sickness, citizens were evacuated on a major scale. These people were not given valid information until two years after the accident (WNA). Chernobyl was a horrible tragedy of humanity, as many were separated from their possessions, their homes, and everything they knew. Though publicly recognized as Chernobyl, the actual power plant was located in the town of Pripyat. The whole town of 49,360 was evacuated within 36 hours of the accident. Within several months, 67,000 in the surrounding area had been evacuated (IAEA). Most were evacuated to Moscow (Greenwald) or the newly created town of Slavutich. The total amount of people evacuated is estimated to be around 200,000 (IAEA).
Thousands of plant workers, Ukrainian fire fighters, soldiers, miners, and drafted Soviet citizens were sent in to clean up radioactive materials, the power plant, and the town. These “liquidators” also completed construction projects, filtration systems, and the building of a town for evacuees. Many liquidators received high doses of radiation. The majority received 100 millisiverts (mSv), 20,000 received 250 mSv, and some received 500 mSv (WNA). The most significant project the liquidators completed was the Sarcophagus. The Sarcophagus is a structure made of steel and concrete that was quickly built to trap the reactors and all of the surrounding the radioactive material. It kept radioactive material from spreading for many years, but has now started to deteriorate. Currently there is a $765 million Shelter Implementation Plan that will remove the remaining reactors, and contain the material permanently. This shelter is scheduled to be built over the next eight to nine years (IAEA).
The facts of Chernobyl were kept secret by the Soviets. The whole world was lied to by Soviet officials. They proclaimed to the press that everything was alright. Journalists traveled to Chernobyl to tell the world what was really going on, as not many knew what was actually happening. As the public heard the truth, the tension between the United States and the Soviet Union worsened (Greenwald).
Another problem the Soviets did not want to reveal were the health problems related to radiation. The main health problem that has been linked to Chernobyl is thyroid cancer (IAEA). This cancer is of the thyroid gland, which is a butterfly shaped gland in the front of the neck. This is a very uncommon type of cancer, but it is treatable (WebMD). The exact cause is not known, but is found in many exposed to large amounts of radiation. Soon after the accident, 1800 children ages 0-14 had been diagnosed with this. By the year 2000, 4000 had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer attributed to the accident (IAEA). Many thought that this high occurrence of thyroid cancer is a result of radiation. However, UN studies completed in 2000 and 2006 state that there is no scientific evidence that proves this connection. Many suffered from radiation poisoning. 209 liquidators were treated for radiation poisoning. Of these, 19 died from the poisoning and 134 have been confirmed to have recovered (WNA).
Not only were people harmed by the radiation, the surrounding environment was affected adversely. Radiation severely contaminated 150,000 square kilometers in Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia (IAEA). For several years after, most agricultural lands in this region were far too contaminated to be harvested, resulting in a large loss of income for many farmers. Land that once provided mushrooms; berries, game, and fish have been rendered useless for many years to come. Currently, most drinking water in the region is safe. However, groundwater may be a problem (Nuclear Energy Agency: Chapter VI).
In comparison, the U.S. government should do their best to protect our citizens from these consequences of carelessness. So far, our government has done a sufficient job of monitoring the safety standards used in nuclear power plants. The events in Chernobyl made the whole world aware of the importance of safety. Flawed Soviet reactors were in use at the Chernobyl plant, and the employees did not use them very safely (WNA). Because of this, new international standards have been agreed upon. The U.S. has installed safety training and standards for all employees to follow, and has made use of better machinery. Our government needs to keep up with the newest, safest ways to run nuclear power plants.
U.S citizens need to care about Chernobyl. Though reactors are far safer nowadays, reactors keep being built stronger to churn out more power. Approximately twenty percent of our nation’s power comes from nuclear power plants. This means that the slightest mishap could do much more damage to today’s world. The majority of the 104 licensed nuclear reactors in the United States are located near major urban areas. Much more damage would be done and there would be far more fatalities if a reactor exploded in the U.S. It would be much tougher to evacuate millions versus several hundred thousand. International oversight should be just as strict to prevent a similar event in another country. Even if far removed from the United States, a stronger reactor exploding would affect the whole world significantly. There were many scares at the time of radiation from Chernobyl tainting food supplies and poisoning the air in even far removed countries (Greenwald).
Chernobyl has left traces of radioactive material all over the world. The bulk of the material did stay within Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia (IAEA). However, a recent study was done within Poland and Sweden. Scientists from Case Western Reserve University derived radionuclides in the soil at a depth that corresponded to the time of Chernobyl. They found that there was much more plutonium in Swedish soil. This is strange, as Sweden is further from Chernobyl than Poland (ScienceDaily). Therefore, it is unknown where or how far these radioactive particles traveled.
The accident at Chernobyl affected many lives and will continue to for years to come. It remains the only explosion of its type to occur in a commercial nuclear power plant. This accident has taught us that nuclear power should be used safely. Also, it should be used conservatively to prevent any future tragedies. As long as we keep these lessons in mind, we will not have to worry about the event of another Chernobyl.
Works Cited
Chernobyl Accident. May 2008. 1 October 2008
"Chernobyl Fallout? Plutonium Found In Swedish Soil." 2 October 2008. ScienceDaily. 2 October 2008
Chernobyl: Assessment of Radiological and Health Impacts. 2002. 1 October 2008
Frequently Asked Chernobyl Questions. 2 October 2008
Greenwald, Josh, David Aikman and Nancy Traver. "Soviet Union More Fallout From Chernobyl." Time Magazine 19 May 1986.
"Power Reactors." 1 August 2008. United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. 14 October 2008
WebMD. 19 September 2007. 14 October 2008
