Chernobyl: Can it Happen Again?

The world recently observed the 34th anniversary of its worst nuclear disaster on April 26, 1986.  On that day, the Number 4 reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the Ukraine region of the former Soviet Union suffered a meltdown and exploded.  Thirty workers at the Chernobyl  plant died as a direct result of either the explosion or soon thereafter from acute radiation syndrome. Studies estimated that thousands more could die as a indirect result of radiation poisoning throughout the Ukraine and surrounding countries.  Many are concerned that Chernobyl could happen again!

Soon after the explosion, an “exclusion zone” was established restricting access and prohibiting habitation for approximately 1,000 square miles surrounding Chernobyl.  All people living within the “exclusion zone” were ordered to vacate their homes and businesses within 24 hours.  Today, the “exclusion zone” resembles a scene from Rod Serling's famed TV show, the "Twilight Zone".  Residents were forced to abandon most everything they owned, including property and possessions that could not be easily moved by automobile or public busses. Apartment buildings and homes within the “exclusion zone” were rapidly abandoned, leaving furniture, household goods, clothes, and toys behind. Food was abandoned in refrigerators.  Pots, dishes, and glassware left on stoves and tables.  Playgrounds and amusement parks were left littered with teddy bears, toys, and rides as if all life was plucked from the “exclusion zone” without warning. Property and personal belongings once cherished, lay strewn everywhere throughout the “exclusion zone”.   

The “exclusion zone” resembles a scene from which the entire population was plucked from their everyday lives.  All life forms remaining within the “exclusion zone”, both plant and animal, suffer genetic mutations and biological changes as a result of radiation poisoning. Black frogs with five legs, feral dogs with no fur, birds and rodents with small brains and disabilities. To this day, the exclusion zone surrounding Chernobyl remains one of the most radioactive polluted areas on the planet.  Yet, to the dismay of many, the “exclusion zone” has become a tourist destination visited by curious onlookers who pay to see an area off-limits area ravished by nuclear exposure. 

Prior to the Chernobyl disaster, the international community focused almost entirely upon nuclear weapons, ignoring the peaceful usage of nuclear power. Currently, 32 countries (plus Taiwan) have operational nuclear power plants, producing 9% of the electricity required to operate the world.  The United States is the largest user of nuclear power with 95 nuclear power reactors in operation. However, this represents just 22% of the 440 nuclear power reactors spread throughout 31 other countries, some of which are located in Russia, China, North Korea and Iran.  This begs the question as to what International Treatises are in place to regulate nuclear power and prevent Chernobyl from happening again?

Simply put, yes, because there are no international laws governing the design, construction, and operation of nuclear reactors and power plants around the world.  The control of nuclear power plants is primarily managed by the International Atomic Energy Agency or IAEA  formed on July 29, 1957.  The IAEA represents a group of member countries who voluntarily join to promote the safe construction and operation of nuclear reactors.  Of the 195 countries throughout the World, 180 are members of the IAEA.  Notably missing are rogue nations who support terrorism, including Iran and North Korea.   Member nations pledge to the safe and secure operation of nuclear reactors, compliance with international standards, and have access to technical support from member nations.  Yet many communist nations who are members of IAEA, including Russia and China, as well as rogue nations who reject membership, including Iran and North Korea, maintain a veil of secrecy over their nuclear programs.  For example, Russia who was a member nation of the IAEA since 1957, obviously failed to comply with the voluntary international standards with respect to the melt-down at Chernobyl.

With the world population eclipsing 8.2 billion people, and the needs for power constantly expanding, there will be a growing need for electricity.  Since nuclear reactors are capable of generating enormous outputs of electricity without creating a carbon footprint, the number of nuclear reactors is likely to grow. Absent mandatory international laws that control the design, construction and operation of nuclear reactors and power plants, the likelihood of future nuclear accidents like Chernobyl should remain a concern to us all.