Chernobyl Sarcophagus Q & A

First, for those that do not know, what is the Sarcophagus? The Sarcophagus is a cement structure built hastily after the 1986 accident that destroyed Reactor 4 at the Chernobyl Atomic Energy Station in Ukraine (Soviet Union at the time of the accident). It was built as an attempt to contain the accident's radiation, keeping it from the outside world. The structure was built extremely quickly without sound architectural design an engineering principles due to the high levels of radiation at the plant and the short amount of time individuals could safely work on the structure. As a result, not all seams were properly sealed and cracks have developed due to weathering. The structure was estimated to last 20 years, and it has now been 21 years since its construction.

Now to the questions and answers (Questions are in bold print):

If I'm not mistaken, machines around Sarcophagus seem new; who maintains it?
The Sarcophagus is maintained by workers employed by the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant. Even though all the reactors have been shut down since 2000, they still need people there for maintenance of the reactors (and of course the Sarcophagus). The machinery you see around the Sarcophagus in more recent photos is for both stabilization of the structure and for the new structure that will ultimately replace the Sarcophagus (it's called the New Safe Confinement). Once the new structure is in place, the original Sarcophagus will be dismantled to make sure it does not collapse and damage the new structure from inside. More information about the New Safe Confinement workers is available on the web.

Were you allowed to approach the Sarcophagus?
I did not approach the Sarcophagus outdoors any closer than any other visitor to the plant. I know some news crews have been allowed to get closer, but most people are not allowed to get any closer than the visitor's center (approximately 100-300 meters).

Does anyone enter inside the Sarcophagus and do you have any idea how it is like inside?
Maintenance workers constanly monitor radiation levels and perform some needed repairs inside the Sarcophagus. The radiation levels are still quite high inside, so people who do enter only work there for approximately 5 minutes at a time. While we were in the Reactor 4 control room, several workers passed us who had just finished working within the Sarcophagus.

What does it look like inside?
Exactly what you think the remains of a building would look like after a major explosion. A lot of rubble and twisted metal - all highly contaminated, of course. The levels of radiation inside the Sarcophagus are approximately 3,000 Roentgens per hour. As a comparison, normal background radiation in cities is usually around 20-50 microroentgens per hour.

Is it really (currently) a protection, I mean, does radiation level increases as one approaches too close?
The Sarcophagus does provide protection even though there are loose seams and cracks in some areas. Radiation levels do rise as you approach it due to radiation leaks. It is not a perfect solution and never was, but it is certainly better to have it there than not have it in place. It was built to last 20 years, and that is why they are starting work on a new structure.

How far is the Sarcophagus from the control room you were in?
The control room for Reactor 4 (the one I was in) is actually within the Sarcophagus. To give you an idea of location, see the photos at the following two links. The photos are of a model of the inside of the Sarcophagus (the model is in the plant's visitor center). The first photo gives a general sense of the layout (the sides are pulled out, so imagine folding them back in to be more realistic). In the second photo, the control room has been slid out from the right-hand side to see its location:

Model of Sarcophagus Interior
Model of Sarcophagus with Control Room Visible

What is the real danger inside the Zone? Is there something potentially dangerous but unpredictable that can occur? Are there any special cautions regarding to what can/must not be touched, breathed, etc.?
The real danger inside the Exclusion Zone is radiation. As mentioned in my Chernobyl photo journal, the radiation levels vary greatly throughout the Zone. You can take one step in any direction and be exposed to many times more radiation than where you just were. The unpredictability is where the higher levels of radiation will be on any given day.

The authorities know where the major hot spots are (areas of long-lasting, higher levels of radiation), but winds and dust can move the radiation all over. It is best to take a measurement device with you to detect the levels as you move around the Zone. In areas with higher radiation you should wear a protective mask over your nose and mouth (oxygen is not necessary). The guides (you are required to have one with you as a visitor to the Zone) will not take visitors to areas with known hot spots, but that does not mean you won't accidently come across a highly contaminated spot.

It is also wise not to touch many things because they probably all have some amount of contamination on their surfaces. They also tell you not to walk on vegetation since it holds on to radiation more than asphalt or concrete. You can't help but step on some moss in Pripyat. On my trip we walked all over the grass and moss for two days in both Pripyat and the villages, and had no problems. When you leave the Zone you are personally checked for radiation contamination, and if levels are too high you may have to shower or leave clothing/shoes behind (I have heard of several people who had to leave shoes behind).