Question

What are the causes of the Chernobyl disaster?

Answer 1

Hint: When there are some malfunctions in the operating nuclear power plants, the reactor mishaps occur and result in a lot of radioactive pollution. The disastrous nuclear catastrophe on the planet is the Chernobyl catastrophe.

Complete answer:
Chernobyl disaster was a harmful nuclear accident that occurred on 26th April 1986 in the no.4 nuclear reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, which is located in the north of Ukrainian SSR. The accident led to the leakage of radioactive wastes in the environment that further resulted in a large number of human deaths and caused many genetic disorders due to radioactive mutations. It was the result of a faulty Soviet reactor design that was poorly operated by trained workers. The reactor caused a steam explosion releasing fission particles into the atmosphere. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) are made up of chlorine, fluorine, and carbon atoms. When CFC’s increase slowly and move up to the Stratosphere, they are further broken down by UV radiation and give chlorine atoms. These chlorine atoms break apart from the chlorine molecules and can destroy the ozone molecules. The first reactor mishap occurred on the Wind scale on 10th October 1957 in Great Britain. The accident was the result of non-working graphite control rods that led to uncontrolled radioactive reactions of Uranium. The fire was kept burning for 16 hours.

Note: Nuclear energy is a great way to produce large amounts of energy without causing any pollution. But, if not managed properly and disposed of, it can cause pollution to a very large extent. If not taken care of properly, the radiation from nuclear waste can cause mutation in humans at a very high rate. This will eventually lead to disorders like cancer.