On April 26, 2007 Ukraine will commemorate
the 21th Anniversary of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant Disaster
Chornobyl disaster: actions, results and lessons
The scale of the Chornobyl catastrophe, the heaviest in the mankind's history technogenic disaster, is well
known to the scientists as well as to politicians in the world. About 3 % of radio nuclides, which were
accumulated in the 4th power unit of the nuclear power station, have been released into the atmosphere.
Due to the accident over 145,000 sq. km of the territories of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia have been
contaminated with 137-Cs and 90-Sr radio nuclides with. About 5 mln. people have suffered, over 5,000
settlements were polluted. Among them 2218 villages and towns populated with 2,4 mln. people. Besides
Ukraine, Belarus and Russia the impact of the catastrophe was felt in Sweden, Norway, Poland, Great Britain
and others.
The main reasons of the catastrophe were:
1. Insufficiently fully and correctly prepared experiment.
2. Low professional level of NPP operators, management as well as the Ministry of Electrification in sphere of
nuclear safety.
3. Low safety level of the RBMK-1000 graphite-uranium reactor.
4. Mistakes by the personnel.
All these factors are well-known to the world community.
Works on accident impact liquidation from April 26, 1986 till 1991 have been undertaken under control of
the Governmental Commission of the USSR. It has adopted decision on creating a 30 km Exclusion Zone
around Chornobyl NPP. From April 27, 1986 the Ukrainian Government has evacuated over 100,000
inhabitants from the towns of Prypyat and Chornobyl, as well as from the neighboring villages.
Concealing information about the catastrophe provoked spreading of the most incredible rumors about its
possible impact and lead to the growth of social and psychological stress and mistrust to official information.
The leadership of the USSR refused the idea of international cooperation in the first years and addressed to
MAGATE for expertise in 1989 only.
The Chornobyl catastrophe considerably influenced the radiological situation in many European countries.
Due to the explosion in the 4th nuclear power unit and destruction of its safety shells a powerful emission of
radioactive substances has happened. About 200 radioactive isotopes have traveled thousands km from
NPP and in May 1986 they could be observed in all countries if the Northern hemisphere, in waters of
Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic Oceans.
Social consequences of the Chornobyl catastrophe after 20 years
On January 1, 2007 in Ukraine 2,594,071 had status of the victims of the Chornobyl NPP accident. Taking
into account the natural 19 % decrease in general number of the suffered during 1997-2006, there have
been noticed two peculiarities. A number of invalids of Chornobyl has increased in 1,8 times. Number of
those suffered, who worked outside the Zone has increased at 3 %. The highest death rate (24 %) is
observed among those who worked on the accident spot in 1986-1987. It proves that the very first wave of
young men, so called "liquidators", has suffered the most - they are merely dying.
Nowadays there are 17,448 families in all regions of Ukraine - beneficiaries of certain privileges because of
the loss of breadwinner whose death is related to the Chornobyl catastrophe.
Medical and demographic impact of the Chornobyl catastrophe
On the eve of the 21th anniversary of Chornobyl catastrophe the medical and demographic situation on the
contaminated territories develops in conditions of the persisting demographic crisis in Ukraine. From 1991
the death rate is exceeding the birth rate. In the contaminated areas this negative changes have happened
one year earlier and more significantly. The worsening of the demographic situation was also influenced by
the emerging economic crisis that started in 1991 as well as unsatisfactory medical care, low living
standards, unfavorable (taking into account the Chornobyl disaster too) ecological situation, political
instability, etc.
From 1994 expenses on liquidation of disaster's impact have been cut. It negatively influenced the
measures on anti-radiation, social and medical protection of the suffered.
According to the Scientific Center on Radiation Medicine by the Health Ministry of Ukraine, during
1987-2004 in various medical institutions 504,117 persons died, among them were 497,738 adults and
teenagers (including 34,499 liquidators) and 6,768 children.
At the same time the death rate among the suffered children decreases and this is due to the positive
achievements of the medical science and practice as well as special measures on anti-radiation, social and
medical protection of the children. But the death rate among middle-aged and senior citizens increases. It is
an alarm symptom as these people are those who were exposed to radiation while being children and
teenagers. This generation has been constantly under radiation upto to the reproductive age and they
become the parents of the next generation.
Ecological and biological consequences
Ecological consequences of the Chornobyl disaster are determined with the two principal factors - exposure
of the natural objects to radiation and the extent of their pollution. There are two main sources of irradiation
- outer and inner ones.
The outer irradiation during the disaster has reached biologically dangerous levels practically within the 30
km Exclusion Zone only. A complicated spectrum of biological effects of various levels could observed. Most
of the radioactive emission from exploded 4th power unit has become sediment in the nearest zone, which is
included into the Exclusion Zone (10-30 km in radius). In the peak periods irradiation in gamma-rays
reached hundreds of P's per hour. Strength of beta-rays was 10-100 higher. It resulted the manifestation of
the sharp effects including death among the most vulnerable plants and organisms.
During the last 20 years the short-term and middle-term radio nuclides have dissolved. Strength of the outer
irradiation has considerably decreased. Only long-term and extra long-term nuclides of Cesium, Strontium
and trans-Uranium still remain in the environment.
Agricultural aspects of the rehabilitation of contaminated territories and protection of population
The Chornobyl disaster went on worst-case scenario for the agriculture of Ukraine causing contamination of
5 mln. hectares of fertile lands with over 3 mln. inhabitants and loss of a large number of cattle. During first
years after catastrophe the sheep breeding, hop-growing, flax cultivation in the Ukrainian Polissya region
has practically ceased and the land were included into Exclusion Zone. The scientists were engaged into the
process of planning and organization of counter measures with a considerable delay and it has reduced the
effectiveness of the first decisions.
"Shelter" Installation (Sarcophagus) has been mounted in extreme condition and is serving its purpose within
last 21 years. Its main problem remains its potential danger, which is considerably higher than any permitted
norms of existing regulations for the similar installations.
In Ukraine as well as at the international level unprecedented efforts have been made to work out a complex
approach to solve the matter and to realize the Shelter Implementation Plan (SIP) in order to turn it into an
ecologically safe system.
Two donors conferences on accumulation of funds were held. Primary cost of the project was USD 768 mln.
In accordance with adjustments made by the international experts it will require USD 1091 mln. In May 2005
the countries-donors have contributed USD 185 mln. The Russian Federation has also donated USD 10
mln. About 90 % of the required sum was accumulated at the Shelter Fund in the EBRR, which is the fund
manager.
Unfortunately, the SIP realization is not only going with delays but also with a certain deviation from its main
purpose.
20 years after the disaster and 8 years after the beginning of works according to the SIP but as a matter of
fact the only dust oppression system has been modernized and some works on stabilization of the building
units are going on, i.e. SIP schedule is not fulfilled.
Estimate of economic losses for Ukraine
The direct losses (houses, buildings, plants, etc.) only in the Exclusion Zone have constituted about USD
1385 mln.
Direct expenses to softening the impact of Chornobyl catastrophe from all sources during 1986-1991 made
about USD 6 bln. Within last 14 years Ukraine is financing all liquidation measures by itself, i.e. from 1992 till
2005 its expenses mounted to USD 7,35 bln. and in some years required upto 10 % of the state budget.
However, it is quite difficult to calculate indirect losses because of not using the contaminated fertile lands,
forests, water resources and, as a consequence, reductions in power generation, goods and services
production. The calculations by the Ukrainian specialists show that by 2015 total economic loss for Ukraine
will constitute USD 179 bln.
The burden of the Chornobyl disaster impact has seriously slowed down the formation of our young
independent state.
The scale of the social and economic losses that hit Ukraine are incommensurable with its real economic
capabilities to neutralize them within next 10 years. So therefore an international assistance is needed.
International cooperation
Chornobyl disaster has witnessed that the nuclear catastrophes have global impact and influence many
countries. The resources necessary for neutralizing technogenic catastrophes' consequences of such scale
go far beyond the economical and technological capabilities of a single country and require unification of the
efforts of the world community.
the 21th Anniversary of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant Disaster
Chornobyl disaster: actions, results and lessons
The scale of the Chornobyl catastrophe, the heaviest in the mankind's history technogenic disaster, is well
known to the scientists as well as to politicians in the world. About 3 % of radio nuclides, which were
accumulated in the 4th power unit of the nuclear power station, have been released into the atmosphere.
Due to the accident over 145,000 sq. km of the territories of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia have been
contaminated with 137-Cs and 90-Sr radio nuclides with. About 5 mln. people have suffered, over 5,000
settlements were polluted. Among them 2218 villages and towns populated with 2,4 mln. people. Besides
Ukraine, Belarus and Russia the impact of the catastrophe was felt in Sweden, Norway, Poland, Great Britain
and others.
The main reasons of the catastrophe were:
1. Insufficiently fully and correctly prepared experiment.
2. Low professional level of NPP operators, management as well as the Ministry of Electrification in sphere of
nuclear safety.
3. Low safety level of the RBMK-1000 graphite-uranium reactor.
4. Mistakes by the personnel.
All these factors are well-known to the world community.
Works on accident impact liquidation from April 26, 1986 till 1991 have been undertaken under control of
the Governmental Commission of the USSR. It has adopted decision on creating a 30 km Exclusion Zone
around Chornobyl NPP. From April 27, 1986 the Ukrainian Government has evacuated over 100,000
inhabitants from the towns of Prypyat and Chornobyl, as well as from the neighboring villages.
Concealing information about the catastrophe provoked spreading of the most incredible rumors about its
possible impact and lead to the growth of social and psychological stress and mistrust to official information.
The leadership of the USSR refused the idea of international cooperation in the first years and addressed to
MAGATE for expertise in 1989 only.
The Chornobyl catastrophe considerably influenced the radiological situation in many European countries.
Due to the explosion in the 4th nuclear power unit and destruction of its safety shells a powerful emission of
radioactive substances has happened. About 200 radioactive isotopes have traveled thousands km from
NPP and in May 1986 they could be observed in all countries if the Northern hemisphere, in waters of
Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic Oceans.
Social consequences of the Chornobyl catastrophe after 20 years
On January 1, 2007 in Ukraine 2,594,071 had status of the victims of the Chornobyl NPP accident. Taking
into account the natural 19 % decrease in general number of the suffered during 1997-2006, there have
been noticed two peculiarities. A number of invalids of Chornobyl has increased in 1,8 times. Number of
those suffered, who worked outside the Zone has increased at 3 %. The highest death rate (24 %) is
observed among those who worked on the accident spot in 1986-1987. It proves that the very first wave of
young men, so called "liquidators", has suffered the most - they are merely dying.
Nowadays there are 17,448 families in all regions of Ukraine - beneficiaries of certain privileges because of
the loss of breadwinner whose death is related to the Chornobyl catastrophe.
Medical and demographic impact of the Chornobyl catastrophe
On the eve of the 21th anniversary of Chornobyl catastrophe the medical and demographic situation on the
contaminated territories develops in conditions of the persisting demographic crisis in Ukraine. From 1991
the death rate is exceeding the birth rate. In the contaminated areas this negative changes have happened
one year earlier and more significantly. The worsening of the demographic situation was also influenced by
the emerging economic crisis that started in 1991 as well as unsatisfactory medical care, low living
standards, unfavorable (taking into account the Chornobyl disaster too) ecological situation, political
instability, etc.
From 1994 expenses on liquidation of disaster's impact have been cut. It negatively influenced the
measures on anti-radiation, social and medical protection of the suffered.
According to the Scientific Center on Radiation Medicine by the Health Ministry of Ukraine, during
1987-2004 in various medical institutions 504,117 persons died, among them were 497,738 adults and
teenagers (including 34,499 liquidators) and 6,768 children.
At the same time the death rate among the suffered children decreases and this is due to the positive
achievements of the medical science and practice as well as special measures on anti-radiation, social and
medical protection of the children. But the death rate among middle-aged and senior citizens increases. It is
an alarm symptom as these people are those who were exposed to radiation while being children and
teenagers. This generation has been constantly under radiation upto to the reproductive age and they
become the parents of the next generation.
Ecological and biological consequences
Ecological consequences of the Chornobyl disaster are determined with the two principal factors - exposure
of the natural objects to radiation and the extent of their pollution. There are two main sources of irradiation
- outer and inner ones.
The outer irradiation during the disaster has reached biologically dangerous levels practically within the 30
km Exclusion Zone only. A complicated spectrum of biological effects of various levels could observed. Most
of the radioactive emission from exploded 4th power unit has become sediment in the nearest zone, which is
included into the Exclusion Zone (10-30 km in radius). In the peak periods irradiation in gamma-rays
reached hundreds of P's per hour. Strength of beta-rays was 10-100 higher. It resulted the manifestation of
the sharp effects including death among the most vulnerable plants and organisms.
During the last 20 years the short-term and middle-term radio nuclides have dissolved. Strength of the outer
irradiation has considerably decreased. Only long-term and extra long-term nuclides of Cesium, Strontium
and trans-Uranium still remain in the environment.
Agricultural aspects of the rehabilitation of contaminated territories and protection of population
The Chornobyl disaster went on worst-case scenario for the agriculture of Ukraine causing contamination of
5 mln. hectares of fertile lands with over 3 mln. inhabitants and loss of a large number of cattle. During first
years after catastrophe the sheep breeding, hop-growing, flax cultivation in the Ukrainian Polissya region
has practically ceased and the land were included into Exclusion Zone. The scientists were engaged into the
process of planning and organization of counter measures with a considerable delay and it has reduced the
effectiveness of the first decisions.
"Shelter" Installation (Sarcophagus) has been mounted in extreme condition and is serving its purpose within
last 21 years. Its main problem remains its potential danger, which is considerably higher than any permitted
norms of existing regulations for the similar installations.
In Ukraine as well as at the international level unprecedented efforts have been made to work out a complex
approach to solve the matter and to realize the Shelter Implementation Plan (SIP) in order to turn it into an
ecologically safe system.
Two donors conferences on accumulation of funds were held. Primary cost of the project was USD 768 mln.
In accordance with adjustments made by the international experts it will require USD 1091 mln. In May 2005
the countries-donors have contributed USD 185 mln. The Russian Federation has also donated USD 10
mln. About 90 % of the required sum was accumulated at the Shelter Fund in the EBRR, which is the fund
manager.
Unfortunately, the SIP realization is not only going with delays but also with a certain deviation from its main
purpose.
20 years after the disaster and 8 years after the beginning of works according to the SIP but as a matter of
fact the only dust oppression system has been modernized and some works on stabilization of the building
units are going on, i.e. SIP schedule is not fulfilled.
Estimate of economic losses for Ukraine
The direct losses (houses, buildings, plants, etc.) only in the Exclusion Zone have constituted about USD
1385 mln.
Direct expenses to softening the impact of Chornobyl catastrophe from all sources during 1986-1991 made
about USD 6 bln. Within last 14 years Ukraine is financing all liquidation measures by itself, i.e. from 1992 till
2005 its expenses mounted to USD 7,35 bln. and in some years required upto 10 % of the state budget.
However, it is quite difficult to calculate indirect losses because of not using the contaminated fertile lands,
forests, water resources and, as a consequence, reductions in power generation, goods and services
production. The calculations by the Ukrainian specialists show that by 2015 total economic loss for Ukraine
will constitute USD 179 bln.
The burden of the Chornobyl disaster impact has seriously slowed down the formation of our young
independent state.
The scale of the social and economic losses that hit Ukraine are incommensurable with its real economic
capabilities to neutralize them within next 10 years. So therefore an international assistance is needed.
International cooperation
Chornobyl disaster has witnessed that the nuclear catastrophes have global impact and influence many
countries. The resources necessary for neutralizing technogenic catastrophes' consequences of such scale
go far beyond the economical and technological capabilities of a single country and require unification of the
efforts of the world community.
Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Singapore
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |