On the 26th of April 1986 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant in Northern Ukraine, the Chernobyl Unit 4 nuclear reactor produced two explosions within a time frame of only 3 seconds at approximately 1:23:48 local time (Hohenemser 1988). The explosions blew hot molten and pulverized fuel an astounding altitude of 7.5 km while the resulting fires numbered around 30 and lasted for several days (Hohenemser 1988). Radioactive material was released for 10 days into the surrounding environment and the spread of the radioactive material throughout parts of Europe was astonishing (Hohenemser 1988). The effects were primarily felt throughout Ukraine, Russia, and most especially Belarus (Wakeford 2006:125).

Although the contamination in close proximity to Chernobyl necessitated the evacuation of residents, the effects have been felt on a far grander scale (Wakeford 2006:125). Most notably, there has been a dramatic increase in thyroid carcinoma among children, while cases of breast cancer and childhood leukemia are also on the rise (Wakeford 2006:125). The evacuations of heavily contaminated areas resulted in social and psychological distress, as communities were uprooted and removed from all that was familiar; health-related worries also compounded the already highly-manifested levels of stress (Wakeford 2006:125).

The physical and mental health effects along with the social consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster will be presented and reviewed in this blog dedicated to those affected by the tragedy. The blog will conclude with the lessons learned from Chernobyl and how they relate to the political debate involving the future of nuclear energy.