The accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the spring of 1986 was the largest incident of its kind in the history of mankind and nuclear power.
Causes of Chernobyl
The 4th power unit of the nuclear reactor at the plant in the Ukrainian city of Pripyat has been successfully operating for three years. In 1986, the preventive maintenance of the control system of the power unit was conceived. On the night of April 26, during the shutdown of the reactor, an uncontrolled sharp increase in power was recorded, provoking a powerful explosion.
The explosion and fire were followed by the collapse of the roof of the power unit and the release of a large portion of radioactive substances into the atmosphere.
Among the hypotheses about the causes of the disaster - negligence of personnel, a terrorist attack or an earthquake.
Chernobyl history
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After the explosion and the release of radioactive waste into the atmosphere, the evacuation of the city on the Pripyat River was announced. People left all their houses and belongings and were taken to nearby areas.
Hundreds of specialists were sent to the station to eliminate the consequences of the explosion. The center of the explosion was covered with inert materials, including from the air. The fire was extinguished for 10 days. After 4 months, it was decided to mothball the reactor. This project consisted in the construction of a sarcophagus over the explosion site and was called "Shelter".
At the moment, a new sarcophagus is being built to replace the old worn out one, whose construction is planned to be completed by 2018. Cleaning of the territory from radioactive waste continues with the use of modern technology and means. The complete clean-up will be completed by 2065.
Recognized as unsafe, the station continued its work even after the accident to supply the territory of Ukraine with energy. The complete decommissioning took place in 2000.
It is noteworthy that the USSR did not publicize the very fact of the accident and for a long time hid data on the consequences of the accident. The first to report the trouble were the Scandinavians, where the air masses brought radioactive substances.
Today Pripyat is called a ghost town: houses destroyed by time and abandoned things represent a terrible sight. For those wishing to visit Pripyat, excursions are organized, which are considered safe.
Consequences of the Chernobyl disaster
In addition to the impact on the environment, the accident had a political significance, causing a public outcry. Perhaps it was partly the reason for the collapse of the USSR.
The process of contamination by radioactive elements and their derivatives affected the territory of more than 17 states, primarily Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.
If we talk about human casualties, which are the most terrible consequences of the accident, then in the first days of the accident, 50 were killed and a total of more than 600 thousand liquidators were injured. According to statistics, about 8 million more received radiation of varying severity. Even children born to the Chernobyl generation had various deviations: among the most common Down syndrome, oncology, decreased immunity
Since 2003, a sad memorable date has appeared on the calendar - the International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Radiation Disasters, on April 26 every year all the victims are commemorated.
The incident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant provoked inspections and closure of some nuclear power plants, changed the attitude towards nuclear energy to a more careful and responsible one.
GORBUNOVA MARIA