Objective

Discuss the accident of the nuclear energy

Health impact
Vulnerable groups
-Who are the affected? Any particular group seriouslyaffected?
Major agency or agencies responsible
Existing statutory basis for government regulation
Risk assessment, risk management and risk communication strategies
Conclusion
Question
The accident of the nuclear energy
The Chernobyl nuclear power station located in Ukraine, as suffered a tragic
accident in April 26, 1986. This had caused the release of radioactive substances to
significantly polluted the atmosphere. A contributing factor was the variation of
meteorological conditions and wind regimes during the period of release. Thus, a
widespread of radioactivity disseminated throughout the northern hemisphere,
mainly across Europe causing serious radiological, health and socio-economic
consequences for the populations of Belarus which still suffer from these
consequences.
The accident of the nuclear energy
cont
The accident of the nuclear energy was a result of the safety systems had been
switched off, and the reactor was being operated under improper and unstable
conditions which allowed an irrepressible power surge to transpire.
This power surge had led to the nuclear fuel being overheat which result in a series
of steam explosions that severely damaged the reactor building and completely
destroyed the unit 4 reactor.
The Major Health Impact the accident
Thyroid cancer
Owing to the high levels of radioactive iodine released, a massive increase of
thyroid cancer had occurred among young children and adolescents, as well as
persons who lived in the most contaminated areas of Belarus, the Russian
Federation and Ukraine. Radioactive iodine had transmitted from pastures eaten
by cows who then concentrated it in their milk which was subsequently drunk by
children
Leukaemia and non-thyroid solid cancer
Recent investigations suggest a doubling of the incidence of leukaemia among the
most highly exposed Chernobyl liquidators. No such increase has been clearly
demonstrated among children or adults resident in any of the contaminated areas.
Mortality
An increased number of cancer deaths can be expected during the lifetime of
persons exposed to radiation from the accident. The cancer deaths among the five
million residents of areas with radioactive was deposition in Belarus, the Russian
Federation, Ukraine and also Europe are of certain, because they are exposed to
doses slightly above natural background radiation levels
Cataracts
The lens of the eye is very sensitive to ionizing radiation. However when the eyes
are exposed to ionizing radiation it may lead to cataracts. The production of
cataracts is directly related to the dose. The higher the dose of ionizing the faster
the cataract appears.
Cardiovascular disease
Some emergency workers From Russian conducted a research and suggested
that the accident had result in an increased risk of death from cardiovascular
disease to individuals who were highly exposed.
Mental health and psychological effects
The Chernobyl accident led to:
Extensive relocation of people
Loss of economic stability
Long-term threats to health
Feelings of worry and confusion
Lack of physical and emotional well-being were commonplace
High levels of stress
Anxiety and medically unexplained physical symptoms
Risk assessment, risk management and risk
communication strategies
The NRC's post-Chernobyl assessment emphasized the importance of
several concepts, including:
Designing reactor systems properly on the drawing board and implementing
them correctly during construction and maintenance;
Maintaining proper procedures and controls for normal operations and
emergencies;
Risk assessment, risk management and risk
communication strategies cont
Having competent and motivated plant management and operating staff; and
Ensuring the availability of backup safety systems to deal with potential
accidents.
The post-Chernobyl assessment also examined whether changes were needed
to NRC regulations or guidance on accidents involving control of the chain
reaction, accidents when the reactor is at low or zero power, operator training,
and emergency planning.
Risk assessment, risk management and risk
communication strategies cont
The NRCs Chernobyl response included three major phases:
(1) determining the facts of the accident,
(2) assessing the accidents implications for regulating U.S. commercial nuclear power
plants
(3) conducting longer-term studies suggested by the assessment.