Nuclear disaster in ukraine Chernobyl Nuclear disaster in ukraine

Chernobyl was home to a nuclear power plant owned by the USSR (which is the Former Soviet Union) One of the reactors overheated and caused a massive explosion that released extremely high levels of radiation into the air. CAUSE: product of a flawed Soviet reactor design coupled with serious mistakes made by the plant operators. April 26, 1986 BEFORE

AFTER EFFECTS: Thirty-one people died within a few weeks of the accident from the initial steam explosion, exposure to radiation and thermal burns, and one due to cardiac arrest.  Acute radiation syndrome (ARS) was originally diagnosed in 237 people onsite and involved with the clean-up and it was later confirmed in 134 cases. Nineteen more workers subsequently died between 1987 and 2004, but their deaths cannot necessarily be attributed to radiation exposure.

Other Effects: Soviets did not admit to explosion for 36 hours and then ordered evacuation. 9 tons of radioactive material went in to the sky and eventually winds blew it westward exposing other countries. Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS) affected many people for many years. There were increased cases of cancer. The radiation polluted all surrounding land and rivers. An exclusion zone was designated prohibiting people from going any closer that 18 miles near Chernobyl. The radiation pollution affected surrounding animals, fish and poisoned nearby farmland.

Chernobyl is like a deserted ghost town still today Chernobyl is like a deserted ghost town still today. Everything was left the way it was on April 26, 1986.