Chernobyl Accident

The Chernobyl disaster was a nuclear accident that occurred on Saturday, 26 April 1986 were one of the reactors in the Chernobyl Nuclear Power plant. Near the City of Pripyat in the north of the Ukrainian SSR In the soviet union. It is considered the worst nuclear disaster in terms of cost and casualties. The Station consisted of four reactors, each capable of producing 1,000 megawatts of Electric Power. The Accident and the fire that followed released massive amounts of radioactive material into the environment. Emergency crews responding to the Accident used helicopters to pour sand and boron to prevent the different nuclear reactions. A few weeks after the Accident, The people covered the damaged unit in a temporary concrete structure, called the "sarcophagus," to limit the further release of radioactive material. Chernobyl's three other reactors Were subsequently restarted, but all eventually shut down for good, with the last reactor closing in 1999. After the Accident. Officials have closed off the area within 18 miles of the plant. Except for persons with official business at the plant and those evaluating and dealing with the consequences of the Accident and operating undamaged reactors.

Health Effects From the Accident:

The Chernobyl accident had severe radiation effects that mostly killed 28 of 600 workers in the first four months after the event. Another 106 workers received a lethal dosage that caused enough acute radiation sickness. Two workers died within hours of the reactor explosion from non-radiological causes. Another 200,000 workers came to clean up the site and were killed within hours of the radiation exposure. It eventually required about 600,000 workers, although only a tiny fraction of these workers were exposed to elevated radiation levels. Government agencies continue to monitor the cleanup. The Chernobyl accident contaminated broad areas of Belarus. However, the majority of the five million residents who live in contaminated areas received minimal radiation doses comparable to natural background levels. (0.1 rem per year). Experts have expected that some cancer deaths might eventually be attributed to Chernobyl over the lifetime of emergency workers, evacuees and residents living in the most contaminated areas. At the same time, cancer deaths have generally been far lower than initial speculations.

Experts expected that some cancer deaths might eventually be attributed to Chernobyl over the lifetime of the emergency workers, evacuees and residents living in the most contaminated areas. However, cancer deaths have been far lower than the initial speculation. There are also psycho-social impacts on residents and evacuees from the disaster, including higher rates of depression, alcoholism and anxiety over potential health effects.

What Radioactive elements were emitted into the environment:

There were over 100 radioactive elements released into the atmosphere when Chernobyl's fourth reactor exploded. However, most of these were short and lived and quickly done. Iodine, Strontium and Cesium were the most dangerous elements released, and isotopes present are Strontium. Cesium is still present in that area to this day. Iodine is linked to thyroid cancer, Strontium can lead to leukemia, and Caesium is dangerous as this element affects the entire body and can harm the liver and the spleen.

What happened to the environment and animals after the Accident:

Mutations did occur in plants and animals after the plant explosion. Interestingly Leaves changed shape, and some animals were born with physical deformities. Despite the increased radiation levels, rare species are now returning in large numbers to the area. These animals include beavers, moose, wolves and wild boar, plus species of birds.

In conclusion, The Radioactive Accident in 1986 resulted from a flawed reactor design operated with inadequately trained workers in charge of the power plant. The Chernobyl disaster nuclear power plant was a unique event that became the most dangerous site due to the radiation exposure. However, the Chernobyl accident was a tragedy. It also led to significant changes in safety culture and industry cooperation.