ESPM TA Activity

TA – ACTIVITY
Environmental Sustainability
And
Pollution Management
Group Member :-
➢ Vaibhav Meshram (67)
➢ Prajwal Belekar (59)
➢ Ayush Mondhe (35)
➢ Aryan Palandurkar (34)
➢ Aryan Patil (33)
PRIYANSHU SADAWARTI (64)
Chernobyl disaster
The worst manmade disaster in human
history
Where is Chernobyl?
3
Chernobyl
• Built in 1978-
1979
• Chornobyl
4
5
Day of disaster
Prior to the explosion the power was cut to the power
station to stimulate a power failure. Emergency generators
did power up to continue the flow of cold water to keep the
nuclear fuel cool. However, because of the time delay
between power failure and the generators kicking and
because of a power surge once the generators did kick in
overheating occurred leading to a series of explosions. It
was reactor 4 that experienced the series of explosions
releasing radioactive fuel and radioactive material into the
atmosphere and surrounding area.
The radiation levels in the worst hit areas of the

reactor building were estimated to be 5.6
roentgens (a unit of measurement for exposure
to radiation) per second, which is the equivalent
to more than 20,000 roentgens and hour. A lethal
dose of radiation is around 500 roentgens over 5
hours, so in some areas workers received lethal
doses in minutes.
6
• External fires around the plant were extinguished within 5 hours,
but fires within the reactor continued until 10th May 1986.
Helicopters were used to drop sand, clay and lead onto the
reactor, but also firefighters on the ground were used. The
firefighters were not warned about the dangers of radiation and
most of them died later because of radiation poisoning.
Despite the massive radiation leak the nearby town of Pripyat was
not evacuated for over 24 hours. The town had a population of
around 50,000 at the time of the accident. When the evacuation
warning eventually came, people were told that it would only be
temporary and that they should leave all their belongings behind.
However, a 30km exclusion zone still exists around the town,
although some older residents have now chosen to move back.
•
As well as causing a massive radiation leak around the plant, a
radioactive cloud was also released into the atmosphere. The
USSR authorities did not notify the world straight away of the
accident and it was actually another power station in Sweden that
first detected the cloud. The cloud contained 400 times more
radioactive material than the Hiroshima bomb that hit Japan. All
of Europe received fallout from the cloud, although it is estimated
that up to 50% fell on Russia, Belarus and the Ukraine. 7
Summary of Facts
• April 26, 1986:
– Chernobyl nuclear power plant
• Operator errors cause a reactor
explosion
• Explosion releases 190 tons of
radioactive gasses into the
atmosphere
• Fire starts that lasts 10 days
• People:
– 7 million lived in contaminated
areas; 3 million were children
• Wind:
– Carries radiation far distances
8
Radioactive fallout
9
Direct Casualties
• 5.5 million people still live in
contaminated areas
• 31 people died in 3 months of
radiation poisoning
• 134 emergency workers suffered
from acute radiation sickness
• 25,000 rescue workers died since

then of diseases caused by
radiation
• Cancer afflicts many others
• Increased birth defects,
miscarriages, and stillbirths
10
Indirect Casualties
Leukaemia: Leukaemia has been observed in exposed workers
Cardiovascular diseases: Cardiovascular diseases are another effect of

the accident.
Radiation sickness: Radiation sickness, also known as acute radiation syndrome, can cause
severe damage to the skin and affect blood cell production, intestinal functions, and resistance
against infections
Psychological effects: The Chernobyl disaster has caused widespread

psychological effects, including fear, mistrust, and forced evacuation. These
effects can lead to psychological illness, increased consumption of alcohol
and cigarettes, and dietary changes.
Malformations in new-born babies: An increased number of reported cases of

malformations in new-born babies are another effect of the accident.
Thyroid cancer: A dramatic increase in thyroid cancer has been

observed in children exposed to radiation at a young age. The thyroid
gland of young children is especially susceptible to radioactive
iodine, which can cause cancer.
Cataracts: Cataracts are an immediate effect of heavy fallout exposure.

Clean up
Initial Response :
• The fireman who helped put out the fires and helped
clean up the radiation ,most didn’t
most did not realize the danger of radiation . Many later
died before they did not wear the
the protection . An estimated 8,000-20,000 to date have
died (20% from suicide).
Robots:
• United states supplied specially designed robots to enter
the reacter core and help build
sarcophagus.
Approximately 300,000 to 600,000 people were

involved in the cleanup of the 30 km
evacuation zone around the plant in the years
following the meltdown.
12
Environmental Imapct
Radioactive Contamination:
•Widespread Contamination: The accident released a

massive amount of radioactive material into the
atmosphere, including isotopes of iodine, cesium,
strontium, and plutonium. This contamination spread
over large areas of Europe, particularly in Belarus,
Ukraine, and Russia.
•Soil and Water Contamination: Radioactive isotopes

were deposited on the ground and contaminated soil,
water bodies, and agricultural land. This led to the
contamination of food chains and the subsequent
exposure of humans and animals to harmful radiation.
•Forest Death: The release of radioactive material caused

extensive forest death in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone,
creating a "red forest" due to the high levels of radiation.
13
Ecological Consequences:
•Wildlife Impacts: The radiation exposure led to a decline in wildlife populations,

including birds, mammals, and insects. Many species suffered from genetic mutations,
birth defects, and increased mortality rates.
•Ecosystem Disruption: The contamination of ecosystems disrupted food chains and

ecological processes. This had long-term consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem
resilience.
•Soil Degradation: The radioactive contamination of soil hindered plant growth and
productivity, leading to soil degradation and erosion.
14
Problems Today
•Continued Radiation Exposure: The Chernobyl
site continues to release low levels of radiation,
posing a long-term threat to human health and the
environment.
•Contaminated Areas: Large areas of land remain

contaminated with radioactive material, limiting
their use for agriculture or human habitation.
•Genetic Impacts: The exposure to radiation can

lead to genetic mutations that may be passed on to
future generations.
15
THANK YOU!!!
16

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TA – ACTIVITY

The radiation levels in the worst hit areas of the

• 25,000 rescue workers died since

Cardiovascular diseases: Cardiovascular diseases are another effect of

Psychological effects: The Chernobyl disaster has caused widespread

Malformations in new-born babies: An increased number of reported cases of

Thyroid cancer: A dramatic increase in thyroid cancer has been

Cataracts: Cataracts are an immediate effect of heavy fallout exposure.

Approximately 300,000 to 600,000 people were

•Widespread Contamination: The accident released a

•Soil and Water Contamination: Radioactive isotopes

•Forest Death: The release of radioactive material caused

•Wildlife Impacts: The radiation exposure led to a decline in wildlife populations,

•Ecosystem Disruption: The contamination of ecosystems disrupted food chains and

•Contaminated Areas: Large areas of land remain

•Genetic Impacts: The exposure to radiation can

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