Background
Nuclear disaster, as known as nuclear and radiation accident, is defined by the International Atomic Energy Agency as an event that has led to the significant consequences to human, environment or the facility. The impact of nuclear disasters has been a topic of debate since the first nuclear reactors which were constructed in 1954. Also, it became a key factor in public concern about nuclear facilities. There have been 99 accidents at nuclear power plants around the world. There were fifty-seven accidents have occurred since the Chernobyl disaster, and 57% of all nuclear related accidents have occurred in the United States. In this blog, I will discuss about two nuclear disasters: Chernobyl disaster (1986) and Fukushima disaster (2011)
Chernobyl Disaster (1986)
Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant locates in a town of Pripyat in Ukraine, which was uder the direct jurisdiction of the central authorities of the Soviet Union. The picture above shows the power plant after the nuclear disaster in 1986.
What Happened and Why?
On April 26, 1986, a major accident occurred at Unite 4 of the nuclear power plant at Chernobyl, Ukraine, in the former USSR. The accident and the fire followed released massive amount of the radioactive material into the environment. While conduct the test, the reactor had to be powered down to 25% of its capacity. However, the procedure did not go according plan and the reactor power level fell to less than 1%. After 30 second, there was an unexpected power surge, and the reactor’s emergency shutdown failed. Because of the failure, there was a violent explosion which made the 1000-tonne sealing cap on the reactor building blowing off. Also, the fuel rods melted at the temperature over 2000°C. The graphite burned for nine days, churning a big quantities of radiation into the environment.
After the accident, officials closed off the area within 18 miles from the plant. There were 28 out of 600 workers were killed by the radiation effects in the first four months after the event. Also, there were 2 workers died within hours of the explosion from non-radiological cause. The Soviet government evacuated about 115,000 people from the most heavily areas in 1986, and the other 220,000 people in subsequent years.
Fukushima Daiichi Disaster (2011)
Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant is located in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. This station was operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company. The picture above shows the explosion in 2011
What Happened and Why?
On March 11, 2011, there was a larger earthquake and a 15-metre tsunami disabled the power supply and cooling of three Fukushima reactors which causes a nuclear accident. The accident was rated 7 on the International Nuclear Event (INES) Scale. Also, there were four reactors that were written off due the damage in the accident. After two weeks, the three reactors (units 1-3) were stable with water addition and they were being cooled by the recycled water for the new treatment plant. Nobody are killed or get sick from the nuclear accident, but over 100,000 people had to be evacuated from their homes to ensure this. Unfortunately, the official figures show that there have been well over 1000 deaths from the maintaining the evacuation.
Safety of Nuclear Power Reactors
In my opinion, we should have a stronger system to reduce the percentage of accident in the lowest rate. Also, we should build a strong power plant with an thick iron wall. Moreover, we should know how to face with the nuclear waste. It is hard to tell in a specific way because it is really hard to control a nuclear accident. It affects dangerously into human health. Otherwise, we can develop the clothes of workers in power plants station to help them reduce the danger from nuclear effects.
Conclusion
The two disasters in Chernobyl and Fukushima left a dangerous effect on human health and environment. The nuclear go to food, vegetable, and water. It impacts on human life hardly. Hopefully, we will have some strong power plants that can never be destroyed.