Chernobyl
Chernobyl today
What about Chernobyl
today and what happened exactly in the zone? Being researched and what about
the concrete sarcophagus of the power plant?
What is the radiation in the zone and is there a resistant life?
One thing is clear: Chernobyl
has recovered only a little bit, but there are still some striking features the
world isn't know.
What is special about the
area of Chernobyl?
Many people have a picture
of horror in there minds when they think of Chernobyl:
An area which is highly
contaminated with radiation and no one can live in it! But the appearances are
deceptive, because Chernobyl looks today much different as it may be imagined.
Despite of the huge accident, the local area around the power plant is almost
free of radioactivity. On most roads in the restricted area you can travel
without any fear of radiation and there are even some people who live and work
in the Chernobyl area.
Many people have especially
a wrong picture in mind in terms of the radiation. The radioactivity was
measured with a Geiger counter about 300 meter removed of the reactor block
four and it was only five times higher than here in Austria. So no health
hazard!
Science meets military
Chernobyl is still of
special interest for science and research.
Often scientists hold on
in the zone because the area is hardly contaminated. It's a
question of researchers from state schools and universities as well as private
acting doctors and professors. Secondary to the science the military is also
strongly represented. The predominantly Ukrainian forces are used by the
government to secure the entrances by the zone. At the official version access
to the zone the "welcome immigrants" have to show an acceptance and
they must undergo a brief inspection. These checks are essential because the
Ukraine has the state support to protect visitors.
The radiation
in Chernobyl - Today and
tomorrow
Although there are less
radioactive contaminated areas in the zone around Chernobyl but there are still
highly contaminated parts. Often only few meters represent the death for people
and animals. Exactly water (ponds, lakes etcetera) are still strongly
contaminated, while the vegetation grows even 10meters away - and that will
long remain so. While some radioactive substances have contaminated the
surrounding area only weak and for a short time, Chernobyl remains from today
until the distant future contaminated. The problem is the long half- life of
some radioactive materials.
Tourism
is booming - Chernobyl
as a tourist attraction
Despite of the high risk
and the constant radiation exposure, hundreds of people visit every year the
region to get an idea of the extent of the catastrophe.
Especial appealing is
the nuclear power plant itself, because you can walk there relatively freely
and without risk. There are many tourism businesses which take year after year
tours to the zone. The day trips usually star from Kiev, the organizer takes
care for permission and protection.