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Strikes from Russia early this year resulted in a breach in the Chernobyl’s radioactive containment unit. Now exposed, the IAEA is putting in a rush on repairs to prevent a new radioactive fallout.
39 years ago, a disaster occurred that would for the years to come be known as one of the world’s biggest nuclear accidents.
In late April of 1986, the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in what was once a Soviet Ukraine failed a safety test. The power surge led to explosions that destroyed an entire reactor, exposing the core and igniting toxic graphite fires.
Following this, there was a release of mass amounts of radioactive material across Europe. With an estimated toll of 31 immediate, and 4,000 long term deaths, many lives were badly impacted in the fallout of the disaster.
Months later, in November, the Soviet Union began efforts to the build the ‘Sarcophagus’, which was essentially a hastily built concrete and steel enclosure over the ruined reactor. The structure aimed to contain about 200 tons of radioactive corium lava, 30 tons of contaminated dust, and 16 tons of uranium and plutonium.
Additionally, the structure was meant to prevent rainwater or wind infiltration that could spread contamination.
With the Sarcophagus being prone to collapse, the New Safe Confinement (NSC), a massive steel structure, was built and slid over the initial structure in 2019. The NSC was meant to last 100 years, confining radioactive material inside while preventing the entry of external substances.
However, the intensity of the Russia-Ukraine war has destabilized the structure. What was built as impenetrable safety measure, now poses an environmental and health threat to surrounding vicinities.
Early this year, a Russian drone strike hit the NSC causing severe damage including fires and torn protective cladding.
Though Ukraine blamed Russia, the latter denied any involvement in the drone strike, which registered vibrations like that of a 6-7 magnitude earthquake. Initially, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) noted no immediate radiological threat.
After comprehensive assessment, however, the organization came forward a few days ago stating that the NSC had ‘lost its primary safety functions, including confinement capability’. The reported breach measures approximately 15 square meters in the inner retention membrane, and a 160 square foot hole in the outer cladding.
The statement proceeded to urge complete restoration to prevent further degradation, while noting no permanent damage to lead-bearing structures or monitoring systems.
The breach has allowed for unchecked rainwater entry which would intensify the corrosion rates of unstable components within the Sarcophagus. Additionally, contact with wind would draw airborne radioactive dust from the site across Ukraine and its neighboring countries.
