On
April 26, 1986, an explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power station in
the Ukraine spewed radioactive material into the environment -- with
immediately tragic effects. Two workers at the site died within hours of
the explosion from non-radiation causes. Another 134 suffered from
acute radiation sickness, which was quickly fatal for 28 of them. An
18-mile radius around the plant was eventually closed and the population
evacuated – not to return even to this day.
,
posted today, that is the first of our “Moments in NRC History.” This
video is narrated by the NRC’s historian, Tom Wellock, and highlights
what the NRC – and the world’s nuclear industry -- learned from this
disaster.
“It
was a world-wide phenomenon that is still being studied for its health
effects and how to prevent and deal with severe reactor accidents,” he
says in the video.
The
video includes archival footage of Chernobyl and provides updates on
the health effects of the accident. It also outlines the three major
phases of the NRC’s investigation into the tragedy:
• determining the facts of the accident;
• assessing the accident’s implications for regulation in the U.S.; and
• conducting follow-up studies suggested by the assessment.
Chernobyl
is an important historical milestone, the most severe accident in
civilian industry history. It alone was rated a seven – the highest
level – on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale, until
the events at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
“The goal is always to use history to prevent problems in the future,” Tom says.
We hope you take a few minutes to view this new video.
Eliot Brenner
Public Affairs Director
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