On April 26th, 1986 a nuclear power planet exploded in Chernobyl, Ukraine after a reactor systems test. The Soviet government lied to the people living in Chernobyl, but eventually they were caught due to radiation abnormalities in other European neighboring countries. People were evacuated but the impacts that the radiation had on the land, animals, and people have stuck. 

Over 100 reactants were released into the air when the explosion occurred, most of which died quickly, while others, including iodine, strontium, and caesium, lasted a few weeks, months, and even years. The isotopes Caesium-130 and Strontium-90 are still present in Chernobyl today. 

The citizens and the environment were not safe from the dangers the explosion created, and no one is safe even to this day. 

Affect on Citizens

There were between 115,000 and 135,000 citizens in Chernobyl at the time of the nuclear disaster. The area was extremely dangerous, and it still is to this day. 

When the power plant exploded, the radiation leaked out into the environment. The citizens were unknowingly exposed to the harmful amount of radiation and chemicals until other countries stepped in. The chemicals were increasing diseases that were both mental, emotional, and physical. Chemicals like Iodine were linked to thyroid cancer and strontium could lead to Leukemia for some. 

The harmful amounts of chemicals and radiation also affected the citizen’s lives and over all life-span. Some of those who were exposed to the radiation died in the moment. Others died some time after, while the rest are expected to have a shorter life-span. 

When the government finally opened up to the public, 115,000 citizens from the most contaminated areas were evacuated. Along with 220,000 people later when scientists and the government learned of how dangerous the radiation was. Though people were evacuated, there were still deaths in the event, caused after, and shortened lives that were impacted by the radiation. Out of the 600 workers working on the power plant, 28 were killed. One of which was killed by the blast, along with another worker who died in the hospital soon after. 

Along with that, 6,000 children were diagnosed with thyroid cancer because of the radiation absorbed by the food they were eating. Though ninety-nine percent of these cases were treated, 15 children and adolescents died from thyroid cancer across three different countries. 

The effect on the citizens did not just have an impact on their physical state, but it also increased depression, anxiety, and alcoholism in the citizens. 

Environmental Change

The chemicals and radiation affected far more than the citizens, it affected the animals, plants, and water in the environment. The soil absorbed chemicals like caesium-130 and strontium-90 because they have physiochemical properties with calcium and potassium. Along with that, the vegetation absorbed some harmful chemicals through the soil and the plants’ roots. 

The animals consumed the contaminated plants, contaminating the animals’ meat, milk, and other edible properties, which made its way to humans. Over time, iodine’s short life died out and the main cause of milk and meat contamination became caesium-137. The chemicals have also impacted forests, urban areas, lakes, and several other places which are struggling to decontaminate. For example, forests are decontaminating at a rate of less than 1% each year. 

Animals also suffer mutations, which have been both beneficial and harmful to the animals the Chernobyl is inhabiting the area. One of the beneficial mutations that an animal has undergone in Chernobyl’s harsh environment includes black frogs, who have the same life-span as the average green frog. 

Meanwhile, several other mutations have posed threats to animal health, like tumors. This deer grew an extra set of legs due to the harmful chemicals in Chernobyl. 

The Reopening

Chernobyl, Ukraine, is now one of the most horrific places on planet Earth ever since the explosion that had taken place on April 26th, 1986. Animals, plant life, humanity, and other aspects of nature have been changed because of the harmful amount of chemicals that was released years ago. 

Many people wonder when Chernobyl will open once again for human habitation and the answer is not quite clear yet. It could be hundreds of years and some even say it will reopen by the time we get to Mars, but for now, it is clear that the dangers of Chernobyl has made its mark on our planet.

Sources: World Nuclear Association, U.S.NRC, IAEA, European Parliament, The Ecologist