International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
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Chapter 5
Chernobyl: a chronic disaster

 

 

 

Around 50,000 ‘liquidators’ fought Chernobyl’s reactor fire and entombed it in concrete. Of the 237 hospitalized, at least 45 died. Research suggests 30 per cent now suffer reproductive disorders. Workers, pictured here in summer 1986, proclaim: “We will fulfil the government’s order!”

Photo: Volovymyr Repik/AP, Ukraine 1986.

Fourteen years after the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, radioactivity has wreaked havoc on the bodies and minds of millions of survivors. Rising rates of thyroid cancer have developed among the survivors, there is evidence of congenital abnormalities and up to 3 million people may be suffering mental trauma as a result of the accident.
This chapter explores the current health crisis that has been further hampered by the collapse of the former Soviet Union.
No longer an emergency, it has become a chronic health disaster. Humanitarian action is essential and with thyroid cancer rates rising, the worst may be yet to come
Box 5.1 Thyroid gland cancer: who cares?

Box 5.2 Red Cross Volunteers key to psychosocial recovery

1. December 1952: Canada
First major reactor accident in Chalk River, Toronto. Technician's error nearly demolishes reactor core.
2. November 1955: USA
Partial meltdown during tests in ex-perimental breeder reactor near Idaho Falls.
3. October 1957: UK
In the UK's worst nuclear accident, a fire at the Windscale reactor kills 32 people.
4. March 1958: USSR
Explosion at Kyshtym nuclear plant devastates hundreds of km2; scientists say hundreds killed.
5. October 1975: USA
Near Detroit, partial meltdown at Enrico Fermi experimental breeder permanently disables reactor.
6. December 1975: East Germany
Fire at Lubmin nuclear power complex causes near meltdown.
7. March 1979: USA
Human and mechanical failures cause partial meltdown at the six-month-old plant, Three Mile Island, in the USA's worst nuclear accident.
8. April 1986: USSR
World's worst nuclear accident: explosion and fire at the Chernobyl reactor spews radiation over Europe; 31 people die instantly, millions are affected.
9. March 1992: Russia
Near St. Petersburg, loss of pressure in reactor channel releases radioactive iodine and inert gases into atmosphere.
10. November 1995: Japan
Reactor accident leaks three tons of sodium from cooling system.
11. March 1997: Japan
At least 35 exposed to radiation after fire and explosion at a Tokai-mura reprocessing plant.
12. September 1999: Japan
At another reprocessing plant in Tokaimura, workers trigger a nuclear reaction. One worker died and over 400 were exposed to radiation.