The lesson of the Chernobyl disaster.
On April 26, 1986 a major nuclear disaster took place at 1 h 24 min local time, destroying the fourth reactor of the Chernobyl plant. Five years later the consequences of the disaster are still not fully known. Nevertheless the long term future of nuclear energy in the world is uncertain. Questions need to be answered by observing hard facts if emotional attitudes are not to prevail over reality. The reactor and its core were destroyed by an explosion, causing two radioactive jet emissions of iodine 131, followed by caesium 137. Both elements are mainly incorporated in the body via food. The Chernobyl disaster was a consequence of inadequate safety regulations and human error. Enforcement of strict regulations are likely to be highly effective in preventing a further catastrophe. However, governments should consider another possibility. What would be the consequences for public health if a terroristic act deliberately destroyed a nuclear power station?
Milhaud
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Service de Médecine Nucléaire, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France.
D000059:Accidents / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007953:Leukemia, Radiation-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D009688:Nuclear Reactors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D014455:Ukraine