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Chornobyl

The reactor disaster in Chornobyl (Russian: Chernobyl) in the Ukraine occurred on 26 April 1986. Large amounts of radioactive material were released which distributed over the northern hemisphere. The radioactive contamination in the affected areas resulting from this varied considerably, depending on the occurrence and level of precipitation during the drifting of the radioactive air masses. As a result of the Chernobyl accident many countries have updated their programmes for the protection of the population from radioactive radiation.

Handheld measuring device used to determine the ambient dose rate in front of the Chornobyl reactor. The display shows a value of 3.04 microsievert per hour.

The Chornobyl accident

On 26 April 1986, a serious accident occurred at Unit 4 of the Chornobyl (Russian: Chernobyl) nuclear power plant in Ukraine. This resulted in the release of significant quantities of radioactive material, which reached high altitudes due to the high temperatures in the burning reactor. This material was spread across large parts of Europe by the wind and weather. As a result, people living within a radius of approximately 30 kilometres of the damaged reactor were evacuated or moved away of their own accord.

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Building in the evacuated city of Pryajat

Health consequences in former Soviet Union

The Chernobyl reactor disaster exposed emergency and clean-up workers (liquidators) to high doses of radiation. The local population was similarly affected by high radiation doses. The health effects of this exposure continue to be investigated.

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Burning wood and undergrowth in a forest

Forest fires near Chornobyl

If the radioactively contaminated forests in the exclusion zone around the Chornobyl (Russian: Chernobyl) nuclear power plant, which was damaged in 1986, were to catch fire, the radionuclides contained in the biomass and in the uppermost organic soil layers would be released into the atmosphere. Smaller radioactive particles would then be transported over long distances and would also reach Germany if air currents were unfavourable. In such a case, the activity concentrations in the air in Germany would be quite low and would be harmless from the perspective of radiation protection.

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Map showing the dispersion of radioactive clouds due to the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant 1986.

Environmental consequences of the Chornobyl accident

The accident at the Chornobyl (Russian: Chernobyl) nuclear power plant in 1986 released radioactive substances into the atmosphere. In Europe, the radiation to which humans and the environment are still exposed today is primarily caesium-137. This varies from region to region. In Germany, forest products such as mushrooms or wild boar can still be problematic in certain regions. From a radiation protection point of view, tourist visits to the immediate vicinity of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant are advised against.

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Landscape with oak

Health consequences in Europe

After the Chornobyl (Russian: Chernobyl) reactor accident areas outside the former Soviet Union especially in Central Europe, South East Europe and parts of Scandinavia were affected by the reactor accident. To date, there is no evidence that the reactor accident has caused adverse health effects due to radiation in Germany.

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