Chernobyl Radiation Exposure Comparisons

I ran across an interesting article today about Chernobyl tourism. The story is from 24UA, which is a Ukrainian news agency.

The article does not contain much new information, however it does provide some updated trip planning facts:

Cost: $420-630 for two people
Route: Kyiv - Dytyatky Checkpoint - Chernobyl Plant - Pripyat - Dytyatky Checkpoint - Kyiv
Required Documentation: Passport
Special Character: Zone of Ionizing Radiation
Limitations: 18 Years of Age

The most interesting item in the article is a quote regarding a visitors exposure to radiation while in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Vladimir Bebeshko, the General Director of the Scientific Center of Radiation Medicine AMN of Ukraine, said (rough translation from original Russian text):

"There the person will receive no more than if they sunbathe on the beach all day in Egypt or Turkey.... People work there every day and do not exceed the permissible standards which they can receive within the course of a day. On object "Shelter" [the Sarcophagus] - there are problems, but where you are driven, there is nothing to be afraid of...."

The quote included a statement about showing people zones where the radiation levels are 1 microroentgen/hour. Either Bebeshko was misquoted, or he misspoke, because 1 microroentgen/hour is lower than normal background radiation levels. Overall, radiation levels in much of the Chernobyl Zone are certainly safe over short periods of time, but they are not that safe!

Despite the obvious mistake, Bebeshko's observation about sunbathing is similar to what I was told during my trip - that my radiation exposure in the Zone would be approximately the same as my exposure in the plane during the round-trip flights. Bebeshko's statement is nothing earth-shattering, but is nonetheless an interesting comparison from someone in his position.


Original 24UA Article: Экскурсия на ЧАЭС полезна для потенции