Franklin D. Roosevelt stated that December 7, 1941 is “a date that will live in infamy.” Two dates that will also live in infamy in regard to nuclear catastrophe are April 26, 1986 (Chernobyl) and March 11, 2011 (Fukushima). Both involve an accident at a nuclear energy facility and was rated the highest on the nuclear severity scale. Nevertheless, there was numerous differences in the causes, responses, and impact of the accident.
The most prominent similarity between the Chernobyl and Fukushima disaster is that it was classify as a major accident due to its high impact on people and environment with release of radioactive material. Hence, both accidents received the highest rating of 7 on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES). Radioactive material (Cesium, Strontium, and Plutonium) manage to spill into the environment. In recognition of danger to the public safety, the surrounding population was evacuated and containment area was established to prevent further exposure to radioactive material. Additionally, there have study by the United Nations (UN) to determine the residual effect following both incidents. This is the extent of the similarities of both incidents. …show more content…
The former Soviet Union authorities were slow to evacuate the surrounding population due to the delay of report by the operator. The evacuation did not began until 36 hours after the accident which is long enough for people to be exposed to the full force of the radiation. Moreover, slow progess to protect the supply of food and milk to prevent thyroid cancers in people from consuming contaminated foods. On the other hand, the Japanese government quickly evacuating people within a 30 km radius and halted food shipments from the area due to lesson learned from Chernobyl. The government also distributed potassium iodide to residents to prevent their thyroid glands from absorbing
The most prominent similarity between the Chernobyl and Fukushima disaster is that it was classify as a major accident due to its high impact on people and environment with release of radioactive material. Hence, both accidents received the highest rating of 7 on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES). Radioactive material (Cesium, Strontium, and Plutonium) manage to spill into the environment. In recognition of danger to the public safety, the surrounding population was evacuated and containment area was established to prevent further exposure to radioactive material. Additionally, there have study by the United Nations (UN) to determine the residual effect following both incidents. This is the extent of the similarities of both incidents. …show more content…
The former Soviet Union authorities were slow to evacuate the surrounding population due to the delay of report by the operator. The evacuation did not began until 36 hours after the accident which is long enough for people to be exposed to the full force of the radiation. Moreover, slow progess to protect the supply of food and milk to prevent thyroid cancers in people from consuming contaminated foods. On the other hand, the Japanese government quickly evacuating people within a 30 km radius and halted food shipments from the area due to lesson learned from Chernobyl. The government also distributed potassium iodide to residents to prevent their thyroid glands from absorbing