chernobyl

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Chernobyl Disaster
The Chernobyl disaster refers to a catastrophic nuclear accident that took place in April 1986. The accident is named after the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. The disaster is actually attributed to operators who ran the plant at a lower power than the recommended (Chernobyl Accident par.2). The operators also disregarded safety precautions, they had poor coordination and were barely in any communication with the safety personnel.
Other than the flaws in operation, the design of the Soviet reactor was equally flawed. The reactors were pressurized water reactors that could produce both electric and plutonium power. The reactors were quite “different from standard commercial designs, employing a unique combination of a graphite moderator and water coolant.” Low power, led to an accelerated and uncontrollable chain reaction resulting in an increased power output. These factors combined led to a huge power surge and the destruction of the Chernobyl 4 power plant (Nuclear Energy Institute par.3).
The consequences of the accident were grave. This is because, within just three months, it led to the death of operators and firefighters. Besides, the disaster led to the destruction of the Chernobyl 4 reactor and caused further deaths even after the accident. The accident also led to the exposure of radioactive elements to the environment (Nuclear Energy Institute par.4). In an attempt to control the radiation, the Chernobyl 4 reactor was enclosed in concrete, though the concrete gets weaker with time.

Plans are now underway to construct a new sarcophagus around it to last for more than 100 years. Additionally, a lot was done to deal with the consequences of the disaster. The first step was to evacuate the area around Chernobyl. In 1986 about 115000 people were evacuated by the Soviet authority and a further 220000 people resettled. Other efforts included decontaminating settlements, treating pasture providing clean fodder for farm animals and eliminating some food meant for human consumption.
The effects of the Chernobyl disaster are felt to date. According to Baverstock and Williams, there have been thousands of cases of thyroid cancer as a result of radiation of the thyroid by radioisotopes of iodine. Besides, the disaster caused the acute radiation sickness to many people. Among these, “about 150 individuals were treated for acute radiation sickness; 28 of these died within a relatively short time. Approximately 20 more have since died from probable radiation-related diseases” (Baverstock and Williams par 6). Lastly, cases of congenital disabilities, psychological challenges, and leukemia have been reported in relation to the disaster.

Works Cited
Baverstock, Keith, and Dillwyn Williams. “The Chernobyl accident 20 years on an assessment of the health consequences and the international response.” Environmental Health Perspectives 114.9 (2006). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1570049/”Chernobyl Accident 1986.” World Nuclear Association, Apr. 2018, www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-security/safety-of-plants/chernobyl-accident.aspx. Accessed 27 Nov.2018.
Nuclear Energy Institute. “Chernobyl Accident and Its Consequences.” nei.org, Mar. 2015, www.nei.org/resources/fact-sheets/chernobyl-accident-and-its-consequences. Accessed Nov. 2018.
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