Polkadot JAM Slides - Token2049 - By Dr. Gavin Wood
Chernobyl adjustments and responses
1. Chernobyl Nuclear
Disaster
Examine the factors that affected the choice of adjustments
before, and responses to actual hazard events or disaster
Joy Yuen, Alex Gotianun, Linh Nguyen
2. Context
April 26 1986April 26 1986
Operating crew plannedOperating crew planned
to test Unit 4’s turbinesto test Unit 4’s turbines
Melted fuel rods, ignited theMelted fuel rods, ignited the
graphite coveringgraphite covering
Human-induced HazardHuman-induced Hazard
4. 1. One (out of four) cooling pump always on
stand by
2. ECCS (Emergency Core Cooling System):
Automatic shutdown mechanism that pumps
more water to cool nuclear rods
3. 24- hour emergency firefighting crew on
stand by
8. Economic
1. Budgetary problems
due to investment in
military
• Funds produced
highest quality
weapons-grade
plutonium-239
1. ∴ Less money
implemented for
safety measures
12. Responses to Explosion-
Mid Term
1. Boron and sand poured
over reactor
2.May 14 1986, 116 000
people that lived within
30 km radius evacuated
3.Russian nuclear team of
experts immediately
decided on their course
of action
13. Responses to Explosion-
Mid Term
1. Liquidators People who
helped clean disaster
2.International Atomic
Energy Association
• Press conference in Moscow
for a post accident analysis
14. Responses to Explosion-
Long Term
1. Entombed in a temporary
concrete "sarcophagus" limit
further release of radioactive
material
• New 2013 Sarcophagus by
the EU
1. Pushing for universal salt
iodization reduce thyroid
cancer in children
2. Meters showing radiation
installed
17. Hazard type factor
International involvements to mitigate
consequences opening up of USSR
UnpredictabilityUnpredictability
Rareness
Sudden Speed of Onset
∴ Slow responses and little
preparation
18. Political factor: Media
and Government Control
• Government reluctant to inform
citizens
• USSR failed to provide prompt
warning to foreign neighbors and
citizens
• Absence of emergency
communications plans
• Deliberate withholding of
radiation releases
19. Social factor: Perception
of Risk
Lack of knowledge and experience
Lack of immediate responses
∴ Limited help in the beginning
20. Economic factor: Level
of Development
More developed countries= better preparations
Chernobyl, Ukraine under USSR
21. Conclusion
1. Major factors that affected the adjustments
and responses was the governmental control
2.Contribution to the collapse of the Soviet
Union
3.Forced USSR to open up and participate in
international affairs
4.Because it was a major disaster, it served as a
basis for future reactions and responses
Because of the high magnitude, there were international involvements to mitigate the consequences of this hazard event. The responses also led to the opening-up of the Soviet
In conclusion one of the major factors that affected the adjustments and responses to the disaster was the government control. The Chernobyl Explosion was one of the leading contributing factors that led to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. This event forced the USSR to open up to and participate in international affairs which exposed the turmoil within the society. In addition, because Chernobyl was the first major nuclear disaster, this served as a basis for how the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011 should react and respond.
