On April 26, 1986, a nuclear disaster occurred at the Chernobyl power plant in Ukraine causing an explosion and fire that released significant radioactive material into the atmosphere. Over 30 people died within months from radiation poisoning. Over 115,000 people were evacuated and long term effects included increased cancer rates. The accident was caused by engineering flaws and mistakes made by the operators during a test that caused power output to rapidly increase. The area surrounding Chernobyl remains unsafe for human habitation due to radioactive contamination of the soil and plants.

1. HP
NOVEMBER, 07, 2021
ASSIGNMENTNO.2 TOPIC:
Chernobyl Disaster
Introduction
Disaster
After effects
Submitted By:
HUSNA

2. “Chernobyl Disaster”
 On April 26, 1:23 am; a nuclear disaster, at Chernobylpower plant located in
northern Ukraine, 10 miles away from Belarus occurred.
 Itconsisted of an explosionat the unit-4 reactor plant and subsequent
radioactive contamination to nearby areas, resulted when operators took
action in violation of the plant’s procedures.
 Contamination fromthe Chernobylaccident scattered irregularly depending
on weather conditions. 2 worker died right away and further 28 people died
within few weeks due to radiationpoisoning.
 Itwas the worstaccidentof history which exposed7 million people living in
that area with radiation fallout.
 115,000 peoplewereevacuated. The governmentsubsequently resettled
another 220,000people.
The accident happened becauseof a combination of basic engineering
deficiencies in the reactor and faulty actions of the operators.
 In Chernobyl nuclear power plant, reactor 4 was undergoing a test to check
backup power supply bearing on power loss.
 Xenon-135 concentration increased due to extremely low power.
 As the risk wasn’tmentioned in instructions, the operator continued the test.
 To control rising xenon-135 level the controlrods were pulled back
 The trial included closing down the coolant pumps, which made the coolant
quickly heat up and boil.
 The power escalated due to formation of steam packets in coolant lines
resulting in coolant expansion in the particular design.
 The control rods wereordered to be inserted, which mangled and the reaction
was unstoppable.
 Hence due to steam pressuretherods melted, and the roof blew up resulting
explosion.
 Highly radioactive waste including cesium-137andstrontium-90 was
dispersed.
DISASTER
INTRODUCTION

3.  A huge cement box was built around the radioactivematerial.
 About 97% of radioactive material fromthe power plant still remains inside
this sarcophagus.
 Increasedrisk of leukemia, congenital birth deformities, thyroid and lung
cancer was found among the survivors.
 Pine trees surrounding thereactor turned ginger brown/died hence bringing
the name RedForest’
 In worst hit areas, animals died or their reproduction ceased.
 Radioactive materials were deposited mostly on open surfaces, hence
contaminated the rain and ground areas, and aquatic life.
 Due to exclusionof human activity, scientists estimated that number of
certain wild animals e.g. wolfs increased drastically.
 The economic and political toll hastened the end of the USSR and fueled a
global anti-nuclear movement. Estimated loss was $235 billion.
 A 770-mile-wideChernobylExclusion Zone around the site isn’t considered
safe for human habitation and can’t be used for agriculture due to
contaminated plants and soil.
Poor quality, rushed design, weak knowledgeand miss handling caused
explosion which resulted in spread of vastamount of radioactive
material in European areas.
REFERENCE
https://www.slideshare.net/DrBharatKalidindi/chernobyl-disaster-50261858
https://www.nei.org/resources/fact-sheets/chernobyl-accident-and-its-consequences
https://www.slideshare.net/NikRonaidi/chernobyl-disaster-12316158
https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/environment/2019/05/chernobyl-disaster-what-happened-
and-long-term-impact
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chernobyl_disaster
https://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-security/safety-of-plants/chernobyl-
accident.aspx
https://www.history.com/topics/1980s/chernobyl
AFTERMATH OF DISASTER: