The two most well-known accidents at nuclear power plants are the ones that occurred at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl. Of the two, Chernobyl was disastrous, while Three Mile Island was comparatively less so.
The Chernobyl disaster occurred in April, 1986. Located in the Ukraine and built with Soviet design, it was manned by poorly trained technicians. Safety features were lacking. There was a steam explosion and fire, which released part of the radioactive core into the atmosphere. The wind carried the radioactive material over the land, exposing the surrounding population to significant amounts of radiation. Large areas of Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia were contaminated with radiation in varying degrees. Lesser amounts were detected in Scandinavia and parts of Europe. Several hundred thousand residents of the immediate vicinity were evacuated and relocated to avoid lingering radiation. Twenty-eight people died from radiation and thermal burns in the ensuing four months. A total of fifty-six fatalities were reported up to the year 2004. By the year 2000, four thousand cases of thyroid cancer had been diagnosed in children from the exposed areas. In addition to the potential physical health hazards of radiation exposure, the psychological impact of exposure can be widespread and devastating. Panic and mass hysteria are significant factors in dealing with an accident of this type. Post-traumatic stress syndrome can be present in a significant portion of the population. Lingering questions regarding cancer hazards in the exposed populations last for years.
Possibility of disasters must be considered in any area where a nuclear power plant exists. Even with the most sophisticated safety control systems, there is always potential for an accident at any time. Anyone living in the area should be prepared for immediate evacuation. Proper education of the population regarding the risks and the need for evacuation is essential for ensuring orderly withdrawal from the area.
