Chernobyl: January 2008 Archives
Just when you think you know the facts about something, new information becomes available that makes you take a deep breath, scratch your head and say “Hmmmm.”
When researching the Chernobyl disaster, people are typically surprised to discover that the city of Pripyat, former home to the Chernobyl plant workers, had a small amusement park. The park was a new facility, and according to most sources, was due to open on May 1, 1986. Since the city was evacuated on April 27, the park never opened, and therefore the rides were never used.
Flash foward to a discuss we had today on the Pripyat.com forums, I learned from my friend Sasha that this information may not be 100% accurate. First, there is no concrete information about the planned start date, but it may not have been May 1. Further, the amusement park actually did operate for one day - April 27, the day of the evacuation!
How do we know this? The primary source is “Unforgettable,” an amateur film shot by Michael Nazarenko in Pripyat on April 26 and 27, 1986. Besides many “live” scenes in Pripyat, the film shows three still photographs of the amusement park in operation. In the third photo of the Ferris Wheel, you can clearly see people riding in one of the cars - upper right corner (click on the photos for links to normal size photos on the Pripyat.com site).
One questionable theory is that the park was open on April 27 to keep the townspeople busy until the evacuation started. Keep in mind, this is only an assumption. Sasha does not remember the park ever working, and neither do any of his friends. However, the photos clearly show people using the rides.
“Unforgettable” has been available for viewing on Pripyat.com since June 2006. I know I have seen it before, and could just kick myself for not paying close enough attention to these photos and questioning what I previously heard about the park rides working.
In light of these new insights, I am quite comfortable saying that the amusement park was indeed used before the evacuation, even if only for a short time. I would also say that the official scheduled opening day was probably May 1, but could have been earlier.
“Unforgettable,” is available for viewing at the Russian-language Pripyat.com site (the film is Russian and runs approximately 11 minutes).
When researching the Chernobyl disaster, people are typically surprised to discover that the city of Pripyat, former home to the Chernobyl plant workers, had a small amusement park. The park was a new facility, and according to most sources, was due to open on May 1, 1986. Since the city was evacuated on April 27, the park never opened, and therefore the rides were never used.
Flash foward to a discuss we had today on the Pripyat.com forums, I learned from my friend Sasha that this information may not be 100% accurate. First, there is no concrete information about the planned start date, but it may not have been May 1. Further, the amusement park actually did operate for one day - April 27, the day of the evacuation!
How do we know this? The primary source is “Unforgettable,” an amateur film shot by Michael Nazarenko in Pripyat on April 26 and 27, 1986. Besides many “live” scenes in Pripyat, the film shows three still photographs of the amusement park in operation. In the third photo of the Ferris Wheel, you can clearly see people riding in one of the cars - upper right corner (click on the photos for links to normal size photos on the Pripyat.com site).
One questionable theory is that the park was open on April 27 to keep the townspeople busy until the evacuation started. Keep in mind, this is only an assumption. Sasha does not remember the park ever working, and neither do any of his friends. However, the photos clearly show people using the rides.
“Unforgettable” has been available for viewing on Pripyat.com since June 2006. I know I have seen it before, and could just kick myself for not paying close enough attention to these photos and questioning what I previously heard about the park rides working.
In light of these new insights, I am quite comfortable saying that the amusement park was indeed used before the evacuation, even if only for a short time. I would also say that the official scheduled opening day was probably May 1, but could have been earlier.
“Unforgettable,” is available for viewing at the Russian-language Pripyat.com site (the film is Russian and runs approximately 11 minutes).
Ukraine's Ministry of Emergency Measures announced on January 24, 2008 that construction of the New Safe Confinement structure at the Chernobyl Atomic Energy Station will begin in earnest this spring. Minister Volodymyr Shandra said, "I believe that in spring we'll start work to build a safe shelter and the construction of this facility will be completed in 2012."
Ukraine signed a contract with France's Novarka in September 2007 to build a new structure to cover the remains of Reactor 4. Another deal was also signed with U.S. company Holtec International for the construction of a "dry storage" facility at the Chernobyl pant for spent nuclear fuel.
Ukraine signed a contract with France's Novarka in September 2007 to build a new structure to cover the remains of Reactor 4. Another deal was also signed with U.S. company Holtec International for the construction of a "dry storage" facility at the Chernobyl pant for spent nuclear fuel.
The administration of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant signed a new contract on January 10, 2008 to continue stabilization efforts on the existing Sarcophagus. Contract SIP 07-1-00 covers repairs to the Sarcophagus roof, installation of physical protection systems, and the reinforcement of supporting beams.
The project's contractor is the Stabilization Consortium, led by Russia's Atomstroyexport, and includes Ukraine's YUTEM-Engineering and Atomenergostroyproekt Institute. The project moderator is the International Chernobyl Shelter FUnd, and project funding will come from the G8 and European Union countries. Over $1 billion for the project has already been collected by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
The Sarcophagus' 20 year expected lifespan has already been extended due to previous stabilization efforts. Over the past three years, builders have used 750 tons of metal, 245 tons of reinforced steel and falsework, and 4,500 tons of reinforced concrete for the foundation to strengthen the structure.
The Sarcophagus, built hastily after the accident in 1986, was the quicker to construct and less costly of two considered options. Remote-control methods used during construction prevented installation of the concrete panels at the required tightness, leaving behind unfilled gaps. Currently, the total area of these cracks has reach almost 1,000 square meters, allowing up to 2,000 cubic meters of rain and melted snow inside the structure each year. This moisture can spread radioactive material, and in a worst-case scenario, could produce a runaway nuclear reaction. These cracks also allow small amounts of radiation to continue escaping into the atmosphere.
This new project will provide additional time for the construction of the New Safe confinement, an arch-shaped structure with an expected lifespan of 100 years, that will ultimately cover the radioactive remains of Reactor 4.
The project's contractor is the Stabilization Consortium, led by Russia's Atomstroyexport, and includes Ukraine's YUTEM-Engineering and Atomenergostroyproekt Institute. The project moderator is the International Chernobyl Shelter FUnd, and project funding will come from the G8 and European Union countries. Over $1 billion for the project has already been collected by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
The Sarcophagus' 20 year expected lifespan has already been extended due to previous stabilization efforts. Over the past three years, builders have used 750 tons of metal, 245 tons of reinforced steel and falsework, and 4,500 tons of reinforced concrete for the foundation to strengthen the structure.
The Sarcophagus, built hastily after the accident in 1986, was the quicker to construct and less costly of two considered options. Remote-control methods used during construction prevented installation of the concrete panels at the required tightness, leaving behind unfilled gaps. Currently, the total area of these cracks has reach almost 1,000 square meters, allowing up to 2,000 cubic meters of rain and melted snow inside the structure each year. This moisture can spread radioactive material, and in a worst-case scenario, could produce a runaway nuclear reaction. These cracks also allow small amounts of radiation to continue escaping into the atmosphere.
This new project will provide additional time for the construction of the New Safe confinement, an arch-shaped structure with an expected lifespan of 100 years, that will ultimately cover the radioactive remains of Reactor 4.
I have not watched the entire show yet, but did see it through the segment covering Pripyat. Before the Pripyat segment, they made it seem as if nature would completely take over a city after only five years, showing graphics of streets being totally covered by vegetation. The Pripyat segment followed, as a case study of what can actually happen in 20 years. Having been to Pripyat myself, I need to make some comments about the show's presentation.
First of all, after 20 years, the surface of Pripyat's streets are clearer than the show's computer graphic from the "after 5 years" segment. Pripyat's roads are not completely covered by vegetation. Sure, some of the pavement is covered by moss and there are definitely weeds growing out of the cracks, but as a whole, you see much less vegetation than cement. When you travel through the city, many of its streets look like poorly maintained sidewalks, but that is due to the massive amounts of overhanging trees and bushes, not because of vegetation covering the pavement. Pripyat is definitely being slowly overrun by vegetation, but the show used specific camera angles to make it look worse than it really is.
The show also seemed to treat Pripyat as if it has been completely devoid of humans for the last 20 years. Yes, the city's population was evacuated the day after the accident, however Chernobyl plant workers as well as researchers still made use of some city facilities well into the 1990s. For example, the city's indoor swimming pool "Azure" was used by plant workers and city services until it finally closed for good in 1998.
I also have an issue with one scene focusing on gas masks strewn across the floor of a Pripyat school. While the show did not specifically mention the gas masks, it used the scene to evoke emotions and make an impression. Most people seeing images of the gas masks believe they were used by children after the accident. In fact, the masks were stored in school basements for use in case of a "Cold War" nuclear attack by the United States. The masks were moved upstairs by looters who extracted the filters that were made from silver. Gas masks in the schools had absolutely nothing to do with the Chernobyl Plant. I think the scene was misused and deceptive - it had nothing to do with the show's topic.
Finally, I found part of the segment with Ron Chesser to also be misleading. In one scene he made a comment that the radiation levels were basically normal, but that it was too late to repopulate the city. There are definitely areas within the city where radiation levels are at or near normal background levels, however there are also sections that have much higher levels. Normal urban background radiation levels are typically between 20-50 microroentgens per hour (µR/h). During my visit to Pripyat, I found many places with radiation levels over 1,000 µR/h, and on the dock behind the Pripyat Cafe, the levels reached 3,400 µR/h. These levels are way beyond the normal range and are not safe over extended periods of time. I agree with Chesser that, regardless of radiation levels, conditions in the city prevent repopulation, but the show was wrong to insinuate that radiological conditions in the city are now safe enough for human habitation.
Don't get me wrong. I think the show, from what I saw, was very interesting. It really makes you stop and think about what will happen to our planet in the future. I only wish they were more truthful with their presentation of Pripyat. The Chernobyl disaster was a terrible tragedy and does not need embellishment and misinformation to get that point across.
First of all, after 20 years, the surface of Pripyat's streets are clearer than the show's computer graphic from the "after 5 years" segment. Pripyat's roads are not completely covered by vegetation. Sure, some of the pavement is covered by moss and there are definitely weeds growing out of the cracks, but as a whole, you see much less vegetation than cement. When you travel through the city, many of its streets look like poorly maintained sidewalks, but that is due to the massive amounts of overhanging trees and bushes, not because of vegetation covering the pavement. Pripyat is definitely being slowly overrun by vegetation, but the show used specific camera angles to make it look worse than it really is.
The show also seemed to treat Pripyat as if it has been completely devoid of humans for the last 20 years. Yes, the city's population was evacuated the day after the accident, however Chernobyl plant workers as well as researchers still made use of some city facilities well into the 1990s. For example, the city's indoor swimming pool "Azure" was used by plant workers and city services until it finally closed for good in 1998.
I also have an issue with one scene focusing on gas masks strewn across the floor of a Pripyat school. While the show did not specifically mention the gas masks, it used the scene to evoke emotions and make an impression. Most people seeing images of the gas masks believe they were used by children after the accident. In fact, the masks were stored in school basements for use in case of a "Cold War" nuclear attack by the United States. The masks were moved upstairs by looters who extracted the filters that were made from silver. Gas masks in the schools had absolutely nothing to do with the Chernobyl Plant. I think the scene was misused and deceptive - it had nothing to do with the show's topic.Finally, I found part of the segment with Ron Chesser to also be misleading. In one scene he made a comment that the radiation levels were basically normal, but that it was too late to repopulate the city. There are definitely areas within the city where radiation levels are at or near normal background levels, however there are also sections that have much higher levels. Normal urban background radiation levels are typically between 20-50 microroentgens per hour (µR/h). During my visit to Pripyat, I found many places with radiation levels over 1,000 µR/h, and on the dock behind the Pripyat Cafe, the levels reached 3,400 µR/h. These levels are way beyond the normal range and are not safe over extended periods of time. I agree with Chesser that, regardless of radiation levels, conditions in the city prevent repopulation, but the show was wrong to insinuate that radiological conditions in the city are now safe enough for human habitation.
Don't get me wrong. I think the show, from what I saw, was very interesting. It really makes you stop and think about what will happen to our planet in the future. I only wish they were more truthful with their presentation of Pripyat. The Chernobyl disaster was a terrible tragedy and does not need embellishment and misinformation to get that point across.
