Chernobyl

Its backward technology Its sloppy safety standards According to Sich, the Chernobyl accident exposed what three glaring weaknesses in the Soviet nuclear power system? Its backward technology Its sloppy safety standards Its inability to admit failure Which of these contributed most to the disaster? Technology Safety standards Denial of failure

Which is most important of what they tried to keep hidden? What did Chernobyl reveal that the Soviet government wanted to keep hidden? The injustices The inefficiencies The secrets Which is most important of what they tried to keep hidden? C. The secrets

Why was significantly more radioactivity released into the atmosphere than Soviet authorities were willing to admit at the first Chernobyl Conference in August 1986? Approximately 71 percent of the fuel (about 15 metric tons) burned virtually in the open for nine days until it melted through the lower part of the core region, flowed downward along piping of the pressure suppression system, and quickly cooled and solidified into lava-like substances.

What myth did Soviet authorities use to create an impression that something had been done successfully to contain the accident? The cult of the brave Chernobyl helicopter crews who took actions meant to put out the fire, and whose youthful deaths are honored by a special museum

Identify five of the incidences of Soviet deception which were identified by Professor Richard Wilson of Harvard University in 1991. In August of 1986, Academician Valery Legasov, head of the soviet delegation to Vienna where the International Atomic Energy Agency was meeting on the Chernobyl disaster, ordered that about six pages concerning radioactivity released in Belarius were removed from the official report just prior to the meting and which were not discussed (Note: Legasov committed suicide on the second anniversary of Chernobyl) Several pages detailing the large quantities of radio nuclides deposited 100 kilometers and more northeast of Chernobyl in the Bryansk oblast (region) of Russia were removed from the report following directives from the Soviet central Committee. Dosimeters in the possession of physicians and private individuals who had worked in the mitigation effort following the accident were locked up by the KGB.

Publication of “unauthorized” measurements of radioactivity were forbidden-even as late as 1990 Physicians in Ukraine and Belarus were forbidden to mention radiation in their medical diagnoses Appeal by private individuals in Belarus that children not be allowed to drink milk in the first weeks of May 1996 were stopped for fear such warnings might cause panic. Health records of the liquidators (soldiers and others who constructed the sarcophagus and did cleanup work in the zone) disappeared after their work was completed. Note: (there were also numerous deceptions about the sarcophagus)

What four sources of “evidence” did Soviet authorities offer in support of their position that the Chernobyl accident had been “contained?” The only long-term effect would be an estimated 200 excess cancer deaths over the next several decades – and they would be impossible to differentiate from other cancer-related mortalities Only 31 people had died The farmland in the affected areas in Kiev and Gomel provinces would soon be returned to cultivation The government had acted promptly and efficiently in dealing with the evacuation, decontamination, and the sealing of the fourth reactor 

What decisions did Soviet authorities make in May 1986 which would make it next to impossible for future researchers to learn more about the effects of radiation on clean-up workers? In May 1986 military reservists replaced volunteer cleanup crews – a decision that would make it next to impossible for future researchers learn more abut he effects of radiation on cleanup workers. (None of the original military reservists were officially registered) (The ministry of Defense…denied that the particular individuals had been in the zone) (Workers’ illnesses were never attributed to radiation)

What paradox did the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 with respect to the Chernobyl disaster? It slowed progress in dealing with the effects of Chernobyl It created energy shortages that have strengthened the nuclear power lobby today 

The Children of Chernobyl Do you believe the children in the video were victims of Chernobyl? Yes No There is not enough evidence to make a judgment