This weekly FAS Member newsletter analyzes a current security threat and FAS work on this issue. If you have any ideas for upcoming content, please contact Katie Colten, Membership Coordinator, at kcolten@fas.org.
Today marks the 26th anniversary of the nuclear disaster at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Ukraine. Widely considered to be the worst nuclear power plant accident in history, massive amounts of radiation were released resulting in widespread radioactive contamination, long-term radiation-induced cancers and leukemia, more than 1,000 near to intermediate term cases of thyroid cancer, and 30 near-term fatalities. The accident at Chernobyl raised concerns about the safety of nuclear power plants and nuclear power in general.
In March 2011, the world was reminded of Chernobyl, with the meltdown of three reactors at the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant following the devastating 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that struck the northeast coast of Japan. Post-Fukushima, many of the same questions and concerns raised in 1986 are pertinent today.
For more information on the Chernobyl disaster, check out these FAS resources and much more on our website.
FAS Blogs and Projects:
Strategic Security Blog
ScienceWonk Blog
Space Policy Project
Nuclear Power:
The Future of Nuclear Power in the United States (FAS Report)
Evaluating and Managing Risk in the Nuclear Power Sector
The Future of Nuclear Energy: Opportunities, Challenges and Potential Solutions
Other Resources:
The Plutonium Challenge: Environmental Issues (Department of Energy) Nuclear Safety: Uncertainties About Implementation and Costs of the Nuclear Safety Convention (United States General Accounting Office)
Plutonium and Health: How Great is the Risk? (Department of Energy)
Chernobyl Nuclear Plant Unit 4 Shelter Plan
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