Tsjernobil (Oekraïens: Чорнобиль, Chornobyl) is 'n dorp in Sentraal-Oekraïne, en berug bekend vir die ongeluk in die nabygeleë kernkragaanleg op 26 April 1986. Die omvang van die pogings tot sanering (amptelik likwidasie van die ongeluk na afloop) en daaropvolgende ingenieursuitdagings soos die konstruksie van die ikoniese reaktor sarkofaag, het gedurende die volgende dekades die belangstelling van baie nuuskierige reisigers getrek. Tsjernobil is deur ca. 70.000 toeriste jaarliks voor die COVID-19 uitbreking, 'n getal wat nou tot ongeveer 'n kwart gedaal het. Bestraling van die ongeluk bly rondom die werf, wat toegang beperk, en dit laat geen twyfel nie dat die gebied 'n gevaarlike plek is en beslis nie 'n pretpark. 'N Besoek aan die gebied is egter 'n unieke ervaring en bied 'n insig in die wetenskaplike, tegnologiese en humanitêre aspekte van die ramp.
Verstaan
| “ | - Die groot dosimeter vanaf die kluis, die een met die 1000 röntgen kapasiteit ... - Wat was die getal? - Daar was niks. Die meter het uitgebrand sodra dit aangeskakel is. | ” |
—Tsjernobil, die HBO-reeks | ||
Die naam Tsjernobil verwys na die gebied rondom die Kernkragstasie in Tsjernobil (dikwels afgekort tot ChNPP) in die noorde van Oekraïne grens Wit-Rusland. Tsjernobil is 'n stad 15 km suid van die kragstasie, en was die naaste nedersetting wat deur die Westerse media in 1986 bekend was toe 'n katastrofale ongeluk in een van die vier reaktore van die kragstasie plaasgevind het. Die stad Pripyat, gebou om werknemers van kragstasies te huisves, is eintlik reg langs die kragstasie en dus baie nader as Tsjernobil, maar was 'n geslote stad destyds en dus nie in die Weste bekend nie. Die ongeluk het dus bekend geword as die Tsjernobil-ramp in plaas daarvan, en die naam het vasgesit.
Die ongeluk het 'n groot gebied rondom die kragstasie besoedel met radioaktiewe uitval, en hierdie gebiede is daarna ontruim. Dit Sone van vervreemding is verskeie kere uitgebrei toe die omvang van die ongeluk duidelik geword het, en uiteindelik 'n oppervlakte van 2 600 km beslaan2, ongeveer die grootte van Luxemburg. Spesiale prosedures is ingestel om die verspreiding van radioaktiwiteit tot 'n minimum te beperk, en toegang tot die gebied is beperk. Dit het bekend geword as die Uitsluitingsone van Tsjernobil. Die presiese grense van die uitsluitingsone is 'n paar keer aangepas om dit beter in lyn te bring met die werklike radioaktiewe besoedelingsvlakke, maar die gebied bly ongeveer dieselfde as in 1986. Baie van die neerslae het in Wit-Rusland eerder as in Oekraïne. Net so ver as in Swede (waar dit toevallig gereën het), is sampioen- en rendiervleis as gevolg van die uitval onveilig beskou.
Aangesien radioaktiwiteit mettertyd natuurlik verval, het die stralingsvlakke die afgelope 32 jaar gedaal. In die stad Tsjernobil is die stralingsvlakke byvoorbeeld ongeveer dieselfde as in Kiev, en die eens verlate dorp is nou weer bewoon. Die grootste deel van die Uitsluitingsone bly verlate, maar 'n groot bosagtige gebied met mere en riviere, besaai met verlate nedersettings en industriële installasies. Alhoewel dit nie meer so gevaarlik was as wat dit vroeër was nie, bly dit 'n kernwoestyn dit trek nuuskierigheid van reisigers van regoor die wêreld. Die Exclusion Zone is in gewilde media te sien, veral hoofstroom rekenaarspeletjies soos S.T.A.L.K.E.R en Call of Duty, wat die raaisels van die Uitsluitingsone aan die breër publiek versprei. Die uitsluitingsone van Tsjernobil is waarskynlik die naaste plek aan die digitale spelwerelde in die wêreld Uitval reeks, wat die gewildheid daarvan as toeriste-aantreklikheid verklaar.
Alhoewel toegang tot die uitsluitingsone steeds beperk is, begeleide toere georganiseer is, meestal vervoer vanaf Kiev van en na die uitsluitingsone. Dit is in 2018 deur 72 000 toeriste besoek.
Geskiedenis
Die kernkragstasie van Tsjernobil
Die kernkragaanleg van Tsjernobil is tussen 1972 en 1977 aan die oewer van die rivier Pripyat, ongeveer 100 km noord van die Oekraïense hoofstad, gebou. Kiev. Die ligging is gekies vanweë die veilige afstand van die hoofstad, die dun bevolkte gebied en die nabyheid van water vir verkoeling. Die aanleg het 4 massiewe kernreaktore van die RBMK-tipe, met 'n totale elektrisiteitsopbrengs van 4 GW - genoeg om ongeveer 4 miljoen mikrogolfoonde aan te dryf. Die aanleg van die aanleg was destyds innoverend, met waterstofgekoelde kragopwekkers met geïntegreerde elektroliseselle om die nodige waterstof op die perseel op te wek, asook gevorderde rekenaarstelsels. Die masjienhal met die turbines en kragopwekkers is een van die langste geboue in Europa met 'n lengte van 600 m.
Die eksperiment
Afgesien van kern- en elektroniese innovasies, het die aanleg ook outomatiese beheer- en veiligheidstelsels geïmplementeer, wat in 'n lewendige produksie-omgewing in die veld getoets moes word, soos wat destyds algemeen met alle Sowjet-tegnologie gebruik is. Van besondere belang was die veiligheidstelsel wat 'n sg stasie-verduistering, 'n situasie waarin eksterne faktore lei tot 'n volledige verlies aan elektriese krag na die kragstasie. Die reaktore, elk met 'n termiese opbrengs van 3,2 GW, moet in so 'n situasie aktief afgekoel word om te verhoed dat hul kern smelt, en om sodoende kragtige pompe te installeer om koelwater na die reaktorkerne te pomp. Rugsteun-kragopwekkers was beskikbaar om die nodige elektrisiteit op te wek om die waterpompe aan te dryf, maar vanweë hul blote grootte het hulle meer as 'n minuut geneem om vinnig op dreef te kom - 'n minuut waartydens die kern nie afgekoel sou bly nie. Dit word as 'n onaanvaarbare veiligheidsrisiko beskou. Ingenieurs het met 'n slim oplossing vorendag gekom en voorgestel om die oorblywende momentum van die massiewe turbines en kragopwekkers te gebruik, wat as reuse vliegwiele optree, om pompe aan die gang te hou totdat die diesel-kragopwekkers genoeg krag lewer om die verantwoordelikheid van die verkoeling van die reaktore oor te neem. Die idee het teoreties gewerk, maar is nog nooit getoets nie, en Reaktor 4 van die kernkragaanleg in Tsjernobil is gekies om die teorie met 'n eksperiment te verifieer.
Ingenieurs het 'n toetsscenario opgestel waarin die uitsetkrag van Reaktor 4 afgeneem sou word tot 'n baie laer vlak, waarop die stoompype tussen die reaktor en sy turbines afgesluit sou word om die turbines na onder te laat vlieg. Meettoestelle is geïnstalleer om die uitsetkrag van die kragopwekkers aan te teken, en die bemanning in die reaktorbeheerkamer is ingelig oor die tegniese besonderhede van die toets. Omdat sluitende stoomkleppe deur die elektroniese veiligheidstelsels geïnterpreteer is as noodlottige invalle wat 'n outomatiese afskakeling van die reaktor veroorsaak het, is daar besluit om hierdie veiligheidstelsels uit te skakel en die handbeheer na die bestuurders in die beheerkamer oor te dra. Berekeninge het te alle tye veilige bedrywighede getoon, die toets is goedgekeur en is geskeduleer vir die aand van 26 April 1986. Toe Oekraïners gaan slaap en die kragverbruik daal, begin die toets en word die uitsetkrag van Reaktor 4 volgens plan teruggesny.
'N Onverwagte mislukking in 'n ander substasie elders in Oekraïne vereis dat die kernkragstasie in Tsjernobil egter kragopwekking moet oorneem, en elektriese netbeheerders het daarop aangedring dat reaktor 4 weer tot volle uitsetkrag moet bring. Die uitvoering van die eksperiment moes uitgestel word. Teen die tyd dat die probleem opgelos is en die eksperiment kon hervat, het die skofte in die personeel van die beheerkamer verander: die dagskof het lankal huis toe gegaan en die aandskof het voorberei om die reaktorbeheer aan die nagskof te verlaat. Vanweë die onverwagte vertraging van die toets, is nagskofoperateurs nie ingelig nie, en in plaas daarvan om die verval van hitte in 'n andersins afgeskakel reaktor te monitor, moes hulle die toets uitvoer in plaas van hul kollegas in die aandskof.
'N Reeks menslike foute van die betreklik onervare nagskofoperateurs het daartoe gelei dat die reaktor byna heeltemal afgeskakel is, wat weer die eksperiment laat uitstel het. Daar is besluit om die laaste oorblywende outomatiese veiligheidstelsels uit te skakel om die reaktor so vinnig as moontlik weer aanlyn te kry, en alle beheerstokke is met die hand ingetrek. Dit het die reaktor in 'n uiters onstabiele toestand gelaat wat deur operasionele prosedures nie toegelaat is nie. Toe die eksperiment uiteindelik begin, het die afskakel van die stoomkleppe 'n positiewe terugvoer in die uitsetkrag van die reaktore veroorsaak, maar alarms is deur die bestuurders in die beheerkamer geïgnoreer. Aangesien geen outomatiese veiligheidstelsels die skommelinge van die reaktor se krag teëwerk nie, het die uitsetkrag eksponensieel gestyg tot meer as 11 keer sy nominale maksimum drywingsvlak.
Reaktor 4 ontplof
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Die enorme hitte wat die reaktor in 'n kort tydjie geproduseer het, het die oorblywende koelwater in die reaktorkern laat stoom. Die gevolglike skokgolf het die deksel van die reaktor afgewaai en die uiters warm reaktorkern het aan die brand geraak toe dit aan buite lug blootgestel is. Vlugtige radioaktiewe materiale en klein reaktordeeltjies is deur die brande se opwaartse lug in die lug gedra en in 'n groot gebied rondom die reaktor begin reën. Stukke reaktorkern is uit die reaktor uitgegooi en in sy omgewing beland, insluitend die dak van aangrensende Reaktor 3, wat oral begin. Die dak van Reactor 4 is heeltemal verwoes, en die brandende reaktorkern is blootgestel aan die omgewing en dodelike stralingsvlakke.
In die middel van die nag was dit moeilik om die presiese omvang van die ongeluk te bepaal. Die brandweer van die kernkragsentrale in Tsjernobil en die brigades van Pripyat en Tsjernobil is na die brandende reaktor gebring in 'n poging om die brand te blus. Niemand het verwag dat die reaktor beskadig sou word nie, want dit was die eerste ongeluk in sy soort in die geskiedenis. Daar was min bestralingsdetektors beskikbaar, en nie een het 'n bereik wat voldoende was om die stralingsvlakke van die brandende reaktorkern te meet nie. Brandbestryders het net geweet daar is hoë stralingsvlakke, maar niemand is presies hoe hoog dit is nie. Eers toe die situasie die oggend deur 'n helikopter beoordeel is, het dit duidelik geword wat gebeur het toe helikopterpersoneel die brandende reaktorkern vanuit die lug sien.
Die ineenstorting
Met niks om die reaktorkern af te koel nie, het dit gesmelt en gemeng met beton, staal en ander dele van die reaktor, wat bekend staan as 'n ineenstorting. Die hoogs radioaktiewe massa, met 'n lawa-agtige konsistensie, het deur die bodem van die reaktor begin smelt. Dit was onmiddellik 'n bekommernis dat hierdie radioaktiewe lawa, wat nou 'korium' genoem word, kontak maak met water in die oorstroomde kelder van die reaktorgebou. In so 'n geval sal die water dadelik in stoom flits, wat 'n tweede stoomontploffing kan veroorsaak, wat moontlik selfs meer radioaktiewe materiale in die atmosfeer kan stuur. 'N Span vrywilligers is saamgestel vir 'n selfmoordmissie, met die doel om die kleppe in die kelder te vind en oop te maak om die water af te voer. Met slegs beperkte bestralingsbeskerming en basiese duikuitrusting, het die ingenieurs daarin geslaag om die kleppe in die donkerte van die oorstroomde kelder te vind en hul missie suksesvol te voltooi. In teenstelling met die destydse mediaberigte, het die span lewendig teruggekeer en kort daarna het die korium soos voorspel in die kelder gesmelt. Met niks om die lawastroom te stop nie, sal kontak met grondwater onvermydelik wees. Ingenieurs het 'n plan beraam wat nog nooit voorheen beproef is nie: die bevriesing van die aarde onder die reaktorgebou. 'N Span steenkoolmyners is ingeroep en het die taak gehad om onder die reaktor in te tonnel en pype te installeer om vloeibare stikstof (by -196 ° C) in die aarde te spuit om dit te bevries. Namate die korium egter versprei het, was die vervalhitte alleen nie meer voldoende om dit vloeibaar te hou nie, en die meeste daarvan het in die kelder gestol. Die struktuur het bekend geword as die Olifantevoet na sy vorm. Dit is so radioaktief dat dit nooit direk deur mense waargeneem is nie; die enigste foto's wat gemaak is, is om die draai met 'n spieël geneem, omdat intense straling onmiddellik enige kamera-toerusting vernietig. Met die oog daarop dat dit 'n sekere dood beteken, word na die Olifantvoet verwys as die Medusa van Tsjernobil.
Ontruiming
Toe dit duidelik geword het dat die brandende reaktor aanhou om radioaktiewe materiale in die atmosfeer uit te spuit en op geen manier van die omgewing af te sluit nie, het die owerhede bevel gegee om alle stede, dorpe en dorpe rondom die kragsentrale te ontruim. Aanvanklik was die omtrek slegs 5 km, maar in die dae na die ongeluk vinnig uitgebrei tot 10 km en toe 30 km. Aangesien winde aanvanklik gunstig was en die mees radioaktiewe uitval van bewoonde gebiede gelei het, het die toestande na 3 dae vinnig versleg en die stad bedreig. Pripyat met 50 000 inwoners net 3 km noord van die kragstasie. 'N Grootskaalse ontruiming is bestel, met treine en meer as 1 000 busse wat na die stad aangekom het om die ontruimingspogings te koördineer. Daar is aanvanklik gedink dat 'n metode om die radioaktiwiteit te beperk vinnig gevind sou word, en die inwoners van Pripyat is meegedeel dat die ontruiming net 'n paar dae sou duur. Met die verwagting dat hulle vinnig sou terugkeer, het alles behalwe die kosbaarste persoonlike besittings agtergelaat, en toe die ontruiming permanent geword het, is Pripyat en alle ander dorpe en dorpe betyds bevries.
Om die plundering stop te sit, het die weermag die veiligheid van die ontruimde gebiede wat deel was van die land oorgeneem Uitsluitingsone. Jaggroepe is na stede en dorpe gestuur om troeteldiere wat agterbly, uit te skakel, en skoonmaakspanne het van deur tot deur gegaan om oorblywende kos in te samel om die uitbreek van epidemies en plae te voorkom. Die meeste voormalige inwoners van die Uitsluitingsone is elders in die Sowjet-Unie hervestig, en met byna geen ekonomiese geleenthede binne die Sone het min ooit weer teruggekeer nie. Die Uitsluitingsone bly vandag 'n verlate kernwoestyn.
Die Likwidateurs
Die onmiddellike omgewing van die oorblywende reaktor 4 het buitengewoon radioaktief geword. Hoogs radioaktiewe puin, waaronder dele van die reaktorkern self, is honderde meter weggevoer deur die stoomontploffings, en vlugtige radioaktiewe verbindings verdamp deur die intense hitte van die brandende reaktor het in 'n wyer gebied gereën. Grawe, grawe, stootskrapers en gespesialiseerde robotvoertuie is na die terrein opgeroep om te help met die opruimingswerk. Baie van die take moes nog deur mense gedoen word, veral in gebiede met die hoogste vlakke van radioaktiwiteit waar selfs robotte deur die intense straling uitgeskakel is. Die berugste werk wat gedoen moes word, was die skoonmaak van die dak van Reactor 3, besaai met klonte smeulende grafiet moderator en stukke kernbrandstof. Vrywilligers van die weermag was geklee in loodrusting as 'n ru-beskerming teen bestraling en het dan oor die dak gespring om puin oor die rand terug te skoffel in die gapende leemte waar Reaktor 4 vroeër was. Intensiewe bestraling het die werktyd op die dak beperk tot slegs 40 sekondes, waarna die bestralingsiekte begin. Die werklike dosisse was baie hoër as wat gemeet is, en baie daarvan Likwidateurs - die nie-amptelike naam wat gegee is aan personeel wat verantwoordelik is vir die likwidasie van die gevolge van die ongeluk - 'n geruime tyd daarna het siektes veroorsaak deur bestraling.
In 'n poging om die kettingreaksie te stop, het die beste helikoptervlieëniers van die Sowjetunie die swaarste vraghelikopters wat destyds bestaan het, oor die brandende reaktor bestuur. Hulle het sand, beton en boorsuur in die reaktor laat val om dit af te sluit en direk blootgestel aan die glans van die reaktor hieronder. Die meeste lugbemanning het dodelike dosisse bestraling ontvang. Een van die helikopters het kabels van 'n nabygeleë konstruksiekraan getref en in die reaktor neergestort en die bemanning doodgemaak. Afgesien van reaktorkontrolekameroperateurs wat deur die stoomontploffings vermoor is, was dit die enigste direkte sterftes wat deur die ongeluk aangeteken is - honderde ander het siek geword in die dae en weke na hul opruimings, en uiteindelik gesterf aan vergiftiging deur bestraling. Alhoewel nie alle likwidateurs dood is nie, het die term 'n sinoniem geword vir selfmoordmissies in 'n poging om die radioaktiewe besoedeling te beperk. Tragies genoeg is dit jare later aan die lig gebring dat die meeste loonvragte wat deur helikopterpersoneel afgelaai is, hul teiken gemis het, wat die vlieëniers tevergeefs laat opoffer het.
Om die besoedeling rondom die vernietigde reaktor te herstel, is die gebiede met die ergste besoedeling bulldozed. Bome het sulke hoë bestralingsdosisse gekry dat hele woude gesterf het en dit rooi geword het. Hierdie sg Rooi Woude is gestoot en die bome in loopgrawe begrawe. Geboue is platgemaak en die puin is ook begrawe. Die mees radioaktiewe gebiede is bedek om te voorkom dat radioaktiewe materiale ontsnap. Aan die buitewyke van die Rooi Woud, direk wes van die stadsteken Pripyat, kan baie betonvlekke in die gras gevind word as grafstene wat hul gevaarlike begrafnisse afsluit. Voertuie wat tydens die likwidasiepogings gebruik is, soos vragmotors, APC's, stootskrapers, helikopters, ens. Is in 'n begraafplaas in Buriakivka versamel. Die begraafplaas kon besoek word tot 2008, toe owerhede dit as te gevaarlik beskou. Sommige voertuie bly dodelik radioaktief selfs vanaf 2019. Sommige voertuie is sedertdien geskrap en herwin. Sommige voertuie is met haas begrawe, en daar kan steeds gesien word dat dele daarvan uit die grond steek. Persoonlike beskermingstoerusting wat deur likwidateurs gebruik word, meestal welies en handskoene, is oraloor gestort en bly vandag radioaktiewe brandpunte.
Die Sarkofaag
Met die oorblyfsels van die gebluste reaktor wat blootgestel is aan reën en wind, het radioaktiewe materiale steeds in die atmosfeer vrygestel. Die voorkoming van verdere vrystelling van besoedeling was 'n prioriteit, en teen 20 Mei 1986, slegs 20 dae na die ongeluk, het ingenieurs die ontwerp van 'n gebou gebou om die oorskot van die reaktor van die buitewêreld af te sluit. 'N Massiewe siviele ingenieurswese-projek het gevolg, in 'n poging om vinnig te bou wat vinnig genoem is die Sarkofaag. Die konstruksie het 206 dae in uiterste toestande geduur, met bouers wat aan dodelike bestralingsvlakke blootgestel is. Meer as 400 000 m³ beton en 7 300 ton staal is gebruik in die konstruksie van die Sarcophagus, wat ontwerp is om 250 ton reaktorafval en radioaktiewe stof te begrawe. Teen die tyd dat die sarkofaag voltooi was, het die binnekant daarvan te radioaktief geword om te sweis, en dus kon nie alle leemtes behoorlik verseël word nie. Die Sarcophagus is ontwerp om minstens 30 jaar te hou, wat ingenieurs genoeg tyd gee om met 'n meer permanente oplossing vorendag te kom. Saam met die aangrensende skoorsteen word die Sarcophagus die mees ikoniese gesig wat verband hou met die ongeluk, en die mees gefotografeerde struktuur in Oekraïne na die ontbinding van die Sowjetunie.
Die sone van vervreemding
Min is bekend dat die ander drie bedryfsreaktore van die Tsjernobil-kernkrag lank na die ongeluk aanhou produseer het, omdat die Oekraïense regering nie kon bekostig om die produksiekapasiteit te verloor nie. Na die onafhanklikheid van Oekraïne in 1991, het lande wat aan Oekraïne grens en Europese Unie lidlande het bekommerd geraak oor die stand van die drie kernreaktore wat werk en die moontlike gebrek aan onderhoud wat hulle ontvang het nadat die Sowjet-wetenskaplikes van die terrein onttrek is. Politieke druk is verhoog om die reaktore te sluit, en Reaktor 3 - ironies genoeg die een langs die vernietigde Reaktor 4 - was die laaste een wat in Desember 2000 vanlyn geneem is, meer as 16 jaar nadat die ongeluk plaasgevind het. Die laaste oorblywende personeel is ontruim en die personeel van die Uitsluitingsone is verminder tot 'n skeletbemanning wat hoofsaaklik bestaan uit brandweermanne en veiligheidswagte. Met byna almal wat vertrek het, die 2 300 km2 Uitsluitingsone het regtig verlate geraak en daarna verwys as die Sone van vervreemding.
Die nuwe veilige opsluiting
Wanneer hulle vandag die kernkragaanleg in Tsjernobil besoek, kan besoekers nie die ikoniese skoorsteen of die sarkofaag sien nie, laasgenoemde is nou saamgevat in 'n reuse-boog van ongeveer 100 m, genaamd die Nuwe veilige opsluiting gebou, wat dikwels die NSS genoem word. Die konstruksie daarvan was 'n gesamentlike internasionale poging, wat einde 2018 voltooi is. Anders as die Sarcophagus, is die NSS ontwerp as 'n permanente oplossing met die eksplisiete doel om fasiliteite te bied vir toekomstige aftakeling van bestaande strukture en finale herstel van die terrein - wanneer dit ook al is. Die skoorsteen is gesloop om ruimte vir die NSS te maak, en daarmee het die kernkragstasie in Tsjernobil sy beroemdste en mees herkenbare belangstellingspunte verloor. Die NSS is 140 m wes van die Sarkofaag gebou, en is met behulp van hidrouliese suiers oor die Sarkofaag gedruk. Met 'n lengte van 270 m en 'n breedte van 150 m is die NSC die grootste landgebaseerde roerende struktuur op die planeet.
Begeleide toere stop steeds by 'n monument, ongeveer 200 m van die NSS af, opgedra aan die werkers wat hul gesondheid opgeoffer het tydens die konstruksie van die Sarkofaag. In teenstelling met 1986, is die stralingsvlakke rondom die kragstasie deesdae baie laag (nooit meer as 5 µSv / h nie) en dus baie veilig om te besoek.
Die NSS bevat robotstelsels om die Sarkofaag en die oorblyfsels van Reaktor 4 te demonteer en te ontbind, en geen van hierdie opruimingspogings sal vir besoekers sigbaar wees nie. Met die presiese omvang van die opruimingspogings wat nog baie bepaal moet word, beloof die blink metaalvorm van die NSS om die landskap nog jare te oorheers.
Huidige toestand
Pripyat is 'n vrieskas van die Sowjet-lewe in die 1980's. Propagandaslagspreuke hang steeds aan mure, en kinderspeelgoed en ander items bly soos dit was. Geboue verrot, verf skil en plunderaars het alles wat van waarde was, weggeneem. Bome en gras herwin die land gruwelik. Die uitsluitingsone is 'n makabere toeristebestemming. In 2002 is dit vir toerisme geopen, en in 2004 was daar 870 besoekers, 'n aantal wat in 2018 tot 70 000 toegeneem het, teenoor 20 000 teenoor 2017. In 'n poging om toeriste se sentiment te wek, is gidse ongelukkig versoek deur die geskiedenis van Pripyat te manipuleer. , byvoorbeeld deur half vervalle teddiebere op sekere plekke agter te laat.
Selfs 33 jaar na die ongeluk duur daar steeds 'n debat oor die totale aantal sterftes. Uit vrees vir slegte PR het die USSR mediese ondersoekers vir etlike jare verbied om bestraling as oorsaak van dood op te noem. Die beramings van sterftes wat verband hou met die ongeluk wissel van 56 tot 1.000.000! Die Wêreldgesondheidsorganisasie stel voor dat die finale syfer 4000 burgerlike sterftes kan bereik, 'n syfer wat nie die slagoffers van likwidateurs van die Sowjet-militêre magte insluit nie. Die getalle wat aangebied word vir gevolglike sterftes as gevolg van siekte en kanker weens blootstelling aan bestraling, verskil aansienlik, en Greenpeace gee ramings van meer as 200.000. A Russies publikasie tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat daar wêreldwyd tussen 1986 en 2004 985.000 sterftes aan kanker sterf as gevolg van radioaktiewe besmetting deur Tsjernobil.
Die grootste bewoonde nedersetting in die Uitsluitingsone in 2019 is die stad Tsjernobil, waarna die kernkragstasie vernoem is. Ongeveer 3 000 mense woon daar, en byna almal werk in die uitsluitingsone op 'n 15 dae, 15 dae afwisselingsplan. Inklusief toeriste en amptenare (UAEA-inspekteurs, ingenieurs, wetenskaplikes), die bevolkingstelling van die Uitsluitingsone wissel nou tussen 5 000 en 7 000, dus u sal beslis nie meer alleen wees as u besoek nie.
Lees
- Svetlana Alexievich s'n Stemme uit Tsjernobil: Die mondelinge geskiedenis van 'n kernramp bied persoonlike insig in die lewens van inwoners voor en na ineenstorting. ISBN 0312425848.
- UNSCEAR se beoordelings van die bestralingseffekte.
Stede en dorpe
Met die uitsondering van die stad Tsjernobil self, word alle stede en dorpe in die Uitsluitingsone amptelik verlaat. In werklikheid word dit slegs afgedwing in gebiede binne die 10 km-sone van vervreemding rondom Reaktor 4, en omdat bestralingsvlakke van nature verval het, word sommige dorpe aan die buitewyke van die uitsluitingsone weer deur bewoners bewoon.
- 1 Tsjernobil (Oekraïens: Чорнобильська атомна електростанція) - Die enigste bewoonde stad in die uitsluitingsone, waarna die kernkragstasie vernoem is.
- 2 Pripyat
(Oekraïens: При́п'ять) - Eens 'n geslote stad gebou vir werknemers van die kernkragaanleg, en in die dae na die ongeluk heeltemal ontruim. Bekend in baie rekenaarspeletjies, en 'n gewilde toeristebestemming binne die uitsluitingsone. - 3 Buryakivka (Oekraïens: Буряківка) - Stad ongeveer 20 km van die kernkragstasie af, en een van die nedersettings in die direkte pad van die radioaktiewe neerslagwolk. Dit is ontruim en verlaat. Verskeie geboue bly oor, in verskillende grade van verval. Stralingsvlakke wissel vanaf 1 µSv / h op paaie en 3,5 µSv / h in beboste gebiede vanaf 2019. Daar is ook 'n verlate spoorwegstasie 2 km noordwes van die stad.
- 4 Poliske - Dorp naby die Wit-Rusland grens, amptelik ontruim, maar word steeds deur ongeveer 20 mense bewoon.
- 5 Opachychi
- 6 Vilcha - Verlate dorp met 'n sekuriteitspunt vir besoekers wat die Uitsluitingsone binnekom Wit-Rusland.
Daar is 'n paar verlate dorpies in die uitsluitingsone, en dit is baie interessant om te sien. Besoekers kan plaashuise, klein huisies en baie plantegroei sien. Wees versigtig om enige van hierdie gebiede binne te gaan, aangesien plantegroei altyd baie hoër vlakke van radioaktiwiteit bevat as betongebiede. Gidse sal u altyd vertel om nie op die mos te trap nie, en die stof in uitgedroogde plasse is geneig om radioaktiwiteit te konsentreer. Let ook op waar u loop, aangesien die meeste geboue beskadig is as gevolg van verwaarlosing en dat mense aktief beskadig is.
Gaan in
| “ | Kan ons eintlik - Ons kan nie daarheen gaan nie, of hoe? | ” |
—James May, Hoogste rat, "Oekraïne Road Trip" | ||
Om toegang tot die uitsluitingsone te verkry, is 'n permit nodig. Die maklikste manier om een hiervan te bekom, is deur 'n toeroperateur, waarvan daar baie in Kiev is. As u 'n toer neem, moet u vooraf bespreek, maar verskeie toeroperateurs laat aanlyn registrasie toe. Sommige toeroperateurs moet effektief minstens 'n week voor die tyd bespreek om sterk pryse of geen beskikbaarheid te voorkom nie, maar sommige toere is moontlik 'n paar dae voor die tyd beskikbaar.
Buitelanders moet hul paspoorte hê om die uitsluitingsone te betree, tesame met hul permit. Paspoort en permit by die 1 sekuriteits kontrolepuntwaarna wagters die QR-kode op die permit sal skandeer en die identiteit kan verifieer. Tydens die verifiëringsproses moet besoekers buite hul voertuig wag, en trek dus goed aan voordat hulle by die kontrolepunt aankom. Die groter kontrolepunte het inligting om besoekers te help, en kan ook aandenkingshokkies insluit wat liedjies uit die Fallout-speletjiesreeks speel om die meesleurende ervaring te voltooi! Vermy foto's van die veiligheidsondersoekpunte, beamptes of soldate, want dit kan daartoe lei dat kamera's gekonfiskeer en / of uitgevee word.
Regeringsagentskap met jurisdiksie oor die perseel in regulasie No.1157 bepaal dat 'n versoek vir 'n Sone-permit minstens tien kantoordae (wat tot 14 kalenderdae kan duur) vir die beplande besoek gedoen moet word.
- Chaes-tour.com, 1/36, Bastionnaya str., Kiev, ☏ 380 94 928-15-88. Met die ChAES-toer kan u eerstehands weet wat in die nou geslote gebied van die Tsjernobil-NPP en Pripyat-stad gebeur het, om die geheime en gebeure aan te raak, om uit te vind wat 'n verraderlike bestraling is en leer hoe om dit te wen. 1-, 2- of meer daglange groeptoere en toere op versoek, alle soorte kan tematies wees. Die prys sluit die maksimum tyd in die Tsjernobil-sone in (vertrek vanaf Kiev om 08:00, terugkeer om 20: 00-21: 00), 'n uitgebreide besoekprogram aan die uitsluitingsone van Tsjernobil, die skrywer se toesig oor Sergei Mirnyi, 'n likwidateur en skrywer, of deur gidse wat spesiaal deur hom opgelei is, wat leer hoe om te oorleef by verhoogde agtergrondstraling, dokumentêre films oor Tsjernobil kyk, asook versekering, 'n gemaklike bus met lugversorging, roetekaarte, persoonlike sertifikate wat u besoek aan Tsjernobil bewys. Vanaf US $ 89 1-daagse reis tot US $ 787 5-dae reis per persoon.
- Tsjernobil-toer, Polupanova str., 1, Tsjernobil, ☏ 380 44 383 4588. M-F 10: 00-18: 00. Reise is gebaseer op die mees gevorderde kennis oor Tsjernobil en bestraling, en is gebruikersvriendelik en aangenaam. Hulle toon 'n diepgaande geskiedenis van Tsjernobil sowel as die aard van die sone, en leer vaardighede in bestraling oorleef. 1-, 2- of meer daglange groeptoere en toere op versoek, alle soorte kan tematies wees. 1-dag reis - US $ 116-160, tweedaagse reis - US $ 265-314 per persoon. Die prys sluit amptelike in Sone toegangspas, 'n Engelssprekende gids, Kyiv op- en aflaai, vervoer, kaart van die roete en Zone. Moontlikheid om persoonlike dosimeter-radiometer te huur.
- ChernobylTrip.com. Ekologiese toere na Tsjernobil-sone en Pripyat. U sal reis met 'n professionele Engelssprekende gids. Tsjernobil-toer sluit in vervoer na en van Tsjernobil-sone, middagete en uitstappies in Tsjernobil, en koshuis in geval van 'n reis van 2 dae.
- Chernobylwel.com. Hierdie toere bied geleenthede om plekke te sien wat gewoonlik nie gesien kan word nie, insluitend koeltorings 5 en 6, ontmoeting met plaaslike burgers en besoek aan die begraafplaas van tegnici. Hulle bied ook tweedaagse reise aan vir € 200-250 vir toere vanuit Kiev.
- Gamma Reis. Reël begeleide uitstappies na die Uitsluitingsone, hetsy as enkele daguitstappies of vir verskeie dae met gereelde oornagverblyf in Tsjernobil. €89.
- Lupine Reis, ☏ 44 19 4270 4525, ✉[email protected]. 'N Britse firma wat 1-, 2- en 4-dae-toere in Tsjernobil aanbied, insluitend pendeldienste na die lughawe en woonstelverblyf in Kiev. Vir oornagverblyf word voedselvereistes van buite die land ingebring Sone. Koste vir deelname aan 'n groeptoer is vanaf € 139 per persoon.
- [dooie skakel]Pripyat.com. Georganiseerde toere na die uitsluiting van Tsjernobil Sone en Pripyat stad gelei deur voormalige inwoners. Sluit formele toere in met getuigskrifte, stories en herinneringe oor dae van ongelukke van mense wat in die streek gewoon het. Hulle doen baie interessante, insiggewende toere en alles word wettig gedoen.
- SoloEast reis, kantoor 105, # 10 Proreznaya St., Kiev, ☏ 380 44 279 3505. Een van die eerste toerverskaffers na Tsjernobil. Verpligte versekering (US $ 10) en opsionele bestralingsmonitor (US $ 10) is nie by die geadverteerde prys ingesluit nie. US $ 79 per persoon.
- Star Sky Travel, ☏ 380 68 364 1424. Reise na Tsjernobil-sone vir groepe en individuele toeriste; lughawe- en spoorwegoordrag; BBP-diens; ondersteuning vir toeristevisums, studente-uitnodiging, besigheidsuitnodiging.
- Tour2chernobyl.com, Illinska straat 12, Kiev (Hulle ontmoet gewoonlik hul groepe om 09:00 by 'n ontmoetingspunt in Kiev, klim op 'n bus en vertrek na Tsjernobil), ☏ 38 096 785 43 63, tolvry: 1 808 226 10 85, ✉[email protected]. M-F 09: 00-18: 00. U kan die beskikbare datums vir groeptoere op ons webwerf nagaan. This tour includes the Chernobyl Zone, Ghost Town Prypyat and Radar Duga. This tour is official and was approved by the Ukrainian Ministry of Health. Skype: tour2chernobyl.com from US$49 per person.
- UkrainianWeb. A North America based firm offering all-inclusive, English speaking guided tours to the Zone. Tours include a Kyiv pick-up and drop-off, Zone access pass, transportation and lunch. Friendly service, fast and convenient booking with various payment options.
Safety rules
All visitors are given a list of safety rules, which must be read and signed before entering the Exclusion Zone:
- Do not act as in an amusement park: It is the site of a nuclear disaster and still dangerous, so act reasonably and responsibly.
- Do not take pictures/footage of security measures: Police, guards, checkpoints, CCTV cameras and systems of physical protection are not the right place for cool selfies.
- Do not touch anything and do not sit on the ground: Try to avoid any contact with potentially contaminated surfaces. When you sit on the ground or any place, you significantly increase the risk of contaminating yourself.
- Avoid additional exposure: It is forbidden to wear shorts, t-shirts, skirts or other open types of clothing during a visit.
- Do not take items that originate from the Zone: It is not only very dangerous for your health but also strictly prohibited by the Law.
- Do not eat or drink at open air: You can swallow radioactive dust along with food, and they will remain inside your body.
- Do not consume alcohol and/or drugs: While in the Zone, you must be sober and in adequate condition. No exceptions.
- Do not smoke anywhere except designated places: Smoking often causes fires, and remains add trash.
Kry rond
Public transport facilities in the Exclusion Zone are limited to bus services only. During day time there are regular services between the 1 Central bus station in Chernobyl town and the 2 Administrative building of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
Many of the tourist attractions (Duga radar, Buriakivka, Kopachi, ...) are not served by the public transport services, so it is recommended to hire a vehicle with driver to get around.
The distances inside the Exclusion Zone are vast, roads are in a deplorable condition, and there are no sidewalks or bike lanes. Private motorized vehicles are the only realistic alternative to public bus services.
When leaving the Zone of Alienation, the area within 10 km of the exploded reactor, every vehicle will be checked with a radiation detector at a 3 checkpoint. All passengers need to leave the vehicle and must pass through a detection portal to check for any radioactive contamination on hands, body, clothes, or shoes. The detection portals are completely automated: simply step in sideways, placing feet on the bottom detectors and hands on the detection plates on either side of the portal. The barrier will unlock after a few seconds if no contamination is detected.If radioactive contamination is detected on clothes or shoes, they must be taken off and washed off. If contamination can't be removed then these clothes must be left behind. If contamination is detected on your body, you will be asked to take a shower before being rechecked by the radiation detection portal.
 | WAARSKUWING: Radioactive contamination is taken very seriously in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, so expect guards armed with AK-47s at the checkpoint. Do not make photographs or video recordings of the checkpoint or its staff. Likewise, if you are found to have set off the radiation detection portals by trying to smuggle "souvenirs" out of the Zone of Alienation, you will be arrested because it is illegal to bring radioactive materials out of the area without explicit permit. |
| (Information last updated Aug 2020) |
Sien
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- 1 Monument to the Chernobyl Liquidators (Робототехника участвовавшая в ликвидации аварии) (across the street of the fire station). 24/7. A memorial inaugurated for the 10th anniversary of the disaster in 1996, dedicated to the liquidators -- firefighters who risked their lives in an attempt to put out the fire in the burning reactor during the days following the reactors explosion, and while dealing with the removal of its consequences. Many received deadly doses of radiation while trying to get the fire under control, largely unaware of the lethal radiation levels they were exposed to, and with no adequate protection against it whatsoever. The inscription of the monument reads "To Those Who Saved the World". Vry.
- 2 New Safe Confinement (NSC). A 100-m-tall arch designed to replace the iconic sarcophagus as confinement structure to keep radioactive materials contained. It can be seen from a distance of kilometres away. You'll not be able to get too close, but the nearest 3 observation point is 200 m away. The only way to get closer is if you are a scientist or a film maker that has had months of preparation in advance. Although radiation levels here will be much higher than elsewhere in the region, you will not be able to pick up a significant dose during your stay.
- 4 Monument to the Constructors of the Sarcophagus. 24/7. A monument dedicated to the thousands of workers who put their lives and health at stake during the construction of the Sarcophagus. Vry.
- 5 Bridge of Death. 24/7. Bridge between Pripyat and the Nuclear Power Plant. According to urban legends, on the night of the accident, people gathered on the bridge to watch the blue glow of ionizing air above the burning reactor, without knowing the dose rate was a deadly 500 R/h. The myth was propagated by journalists and stuck, whereas in reality the dose rate was much lower and no direct casualties were recorded among observers. Vry.
- 6 Mechanic yard (МТС (машинно-тракторная станция)). 24/7. A mechanic workshop where agricultural vehicles were maintained, refurbished, and scrapped for parts before the accident. During the cleanup it was used for the maintenance of vehicles used by liquidators, and the site has been abandoned ever since. Fertilizer machines, corn harvesters, and numerous other agricultural vehicles are now rusting away in a birch forest that is overgrowing them. There is a pick up truck with a trefoil logo on its door, a great place for a souvenir photo. For those interested, there are numerous radiation hot spots in and around the workshop, which can be found with a Geiger counter. Vry.
- 7 Concrete Mixing Plant. 24/7. A roadside concrete mixing plant with 4 hoppers and supporting facilities that transferred and produced the concrete that was used for the construction of the Sarcophagus. Some rubble with white tiles has been dumped on the site after the completion of the construction work, and is noticeable radioactive (~ 5 µSv/h). Vry.
- 8 Vehicle Cemetery Buryakivka (Кладовище техніки ПЗРВ "БУРЯКІВКА"). appointment only. After the worst debris and fallout was cleaned up, a large number of highly radioactive vehicles were left scattered around the Exclusion Zone. They were relocated to a patch of concrete in the middle of the forest, near the town of Buryakivka. This vehicle cemetery features hundreds of vehicles including armoured transport vehicles, diggers, tankers, cranes, bulldozers, and the remains of 8 of the largest Soviet transport helicopters. The most interesting "residents" of the vehicle cemetery are 3 robots used on the roof of reactor 3 to clean up radioactive debris. The most iconic one, the West German "Joker", is contaminated with nuclear fuel particles and remains dangerously radioactive. Vry.
- 9 The Claw (Гейферний ковш) (behind the Special Engineering Service building). A crane gripper used to remove radioactive debris in the aftermath of the accident. It remains measurably radioactive, and is often cited in popular culture as the most radioactive object in Pripyat city. Because of the natural decay of radioactive isotopes, the claw can nowadays be approached safely but should not be touched to avoid contaminating oneself. Vry.
Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant
The power plant, home to four decommissioned RBMK-1000 reactors, offers amazing insight into Soviet nuclear and architectural engineering practices for those able to arrange in-depth visits. Commercial tours stop only at the Reactor 4 observation pavilion. Visitors wishing to experience the interior of the plant must request permission via a letter faxed to the plant's general director (Igor Gramotkin) as outlined on the plant's website. The letter should introduce you or your group, and explain in detail what you want to see. Admission, by no means guaranteed, presumably favors professionals employed in relevant fields. Visitors are issued badges and indirectly-read TLD-type dosimeters at the power plant entrance, then pass through a modern security checkpoint in the ABK-1 administrative building, and thereafter are given cotton coats, caps, and booties in preparation for entering the radiological control zone. A higher standard of dosimetry and personal protective equipment may be issued for some areas, such as the "Sarcophagus." Visitors' own dosimetry devices are not allowed inside ChNPP. Always be mindful that this is a fueled nuclear facility and security is taken seriously. Strictly follow directions from plant personnel about photography, and never attempt to rest anything on the floor (it may be confiscated due to contamination). The exit portal monitors at ChNPP are thankfully much less sensitive than those found in most American nuclear plants, but still it's a good idea to wear fresh clothes and shoes rather than articles that may have been contaminated elsewhere in the Zone. In 2011, visitation was allowed to Unit 3 main circulation pump rooms, the live 750-kV switchyard control room, the Unit 1 control room, the Phase 1 dosimetry panel, and the memorial to engineer Valery Khodemchuk in the ventilation building between Reactors 3 and 4, among other places. The turbine hall was closed due to excessive radioactivity in 2011, but was accessible in 2010. A particularly interesting place is the bunker under ABK-1 that is used as an emergency response center (as it was in the 1986 accident).
The power plant has a cafeteria that serves freshly-prepared and appetizing Ukrainian food.
Some commercial tours may stop to feed bread to the monstrous catfish living in the condenser cooling channel that flows under the railroad bridge near ABK-1. Do not take pictures in the direction of the power plant from this location. (Your guide will probably make this rule abundantly clear.)
ChNPP has its own train station, 1 Semikhody. Trains travel without stopping between Semikhody and Slavutych. The service is free. As there are no stops while the train passes through Belarus, there are no border controls. Visitors exiting the Exclusion Zone via Semikhody must pass through a portal monitor and their personal belongings may be frisked for radionuclide contamination.
- 10 Cooling Towers. 24/7. At the time of the accident, 2 more reactors of the same type as no. 4 were under construction to the south east of the existing 4 reactors. Construction was efforts were suspended indefinitely after the accident, and the nearly completed reactors were never fuelled. The structure is being dismantled as of 2019, but its half completed cooling towers remain. The northern tower is about twice as tall as the southern tower and can be seen from a distance. The concrete rebar sticking out from the top rim is a silent witness of the abruptness with which construction was halted. Vry.
- 11 Fish hatchery. 24/7. On the shore of the lake near the cooling water intake canal entrance is a fish hatchery with supporting buildings. Fishery was an economically interesting opportunity in the lake because it never froze over due to the elevated temperature of the water being used to cool the 4 operational reactors. This meant fishing was sustainable year round, and the fish caught were larger than elsewhere. The fish hatchery was abandoned after the accident, and one of the few buildings within a 5 km radius around reactor no. 4 that are not related to the power plant itself. The hatchery is not fenced off and can be visited, along with the remains of its floating dock. The shore offers a nice viewing point for the lake. Vry.
- 12 Atomskaya Mural. 24/7. The largest mural in the Exclusion Zone, depicting Przewalski horses living in harmony with the power of the atom in the hand of mankind. Vry.
- 13 Red Forest. 24/7. A strip of birch and pine forest that was contaminated with the worst fallout, killing off most of the vegetation because of the intense radiation and turning trees reddish brown — hence the name. Trees were felled and buried in trenches by liquidators, then covered over with soil and occasionally concrete slabs.
The Red Forest is still the most radioactive area in the Exclusion Zone, and marked with radiation warning signs but not fenced off in any way. As of 2019, radiation levels vary between 4 µSv/h (microsievert/hour) and 15 µSv/h, with local hot spots reaching 40 µSv/h. Spots where material is buried have considerably higher dose levels. It is recommended to stay no longer than 90 minutes around these hot spots (equivalent to a daily accumulated those of 60 µSv which is the threshold for radiation workers). As the most radioactive outdoor area in Europe, exploring the Red Forest is an experience on its own, but adequate safety measures must be taken. Wear protective wellies, carry an electronic dosimeter (PED) with warning threshold set no higher than 20 µSv/h, and do not touch anything. When leaving the Red Forest, protective wellies must be decontaminated (washed off).
If possible, take a geiger counter or similar radiation measurement device with you into the Red Forest to compare activity levels at different locations. Birch trees and lichen are particularly prone to absorbing radioactive Cesium (accounting to the majority of radiation after 32 years), and often read much higher radiation levels with peaks up to 3,000 counts per second not exceptional. Make sure the probe of the geiger counter does not touch any of the vegetation to avoid contaminating it! Vry.
Pripyat
The famous abandoned city, which once housed 50,000 residents. Sights to see are the schools, kindergarten, public buildings and the amazing cultural palace which contains a swimming pool, cinema and gymnasium, and overlooks the famous ferris wheel. Hazards are the crumbling buildings, and decaying wooden floors in places – so be careful. The government has deemed all buildings in the town condemned, so most tours will not let you enter the buildings*.
*As of 2019, entry into all buildings in Pripyat is banned, because as the buildings age they become structurally unstable, and the government and most tour groups would rather not deal with the results of a tour group being caught in a cave-in. Experienced guides in sommige tours, however, know which buildings are "safe" (stable enough) to enter, and will take groups in for photos. If they do, only go where they go as they know what parts of the buildings are stable and what parts aren't. Generally this is limited to the sports facility (the pool) and the roof of an apartment tower. Most of the buildings were 'cleaned' of their radiation during the liquidation process and now contain amounts similar to downtown Kyiv, so the dangers come not from radiation but from the buildings themselves. Places like the amusement park and the main square are still accessible because they don't involve entering any buildings.
Minibus day-trips from Kyiv typically stop in the town's center, at the west end of Lenin Street near the Palace of Culture. Short-term visitors are confined to the pavement at ground level; if you join one of these tours, your risk exposure is minimal, but so too is your exposure to the vast cultural reliquary that is Pripyat. A more in-depth visit (several days, staying overnight at the InterInform hotel in Chernobyl, eating meals at the InterInform stolovaya) costs about US$200 per person per day in a group of four (2011). The long-term visitor is rewarded with considerably more freedom to explore, accompanied of course by an InterInform guide.
Decades of neglect have resulted in a physically-hazardous ex-urban environment in which radiation is of distant, secondary concern. Hazards include uncovered manholes in the middle of barely-recognizable streets, open elevator shafts, flooded basements, decayed wooden floors, collapsed roofs, large amounts of broken glass, challenging footpath obstructions in dark hallways, and quite possibly asbestos. Flashlights are essential to exploring interiors. Although radiation isn't a relatively major concern, the "hotter" spots in town would most certainly be off-limits to the public in the United States or Western Europe. As an example, the basement of the Polyclinic contains first responders' clothing (firefighters' clothes, boots, helmets, etc.) and presents external gamma exposure rates approaching one roentgen (R) per hour (June 2010). As of October 2017, the only access into the hospital basement is by crawling through a hole dug after the basement access was deliberately buried. Some other hot spots are well known to guides and they can either help you avoid these places or find them if so inclined. The hot spots most commonly visited by tours are mostly marked with radiation signage. These hot spots are generally either places that were not decontaminated previously, contaminated objects, or locations where radioactive materials have collected together due to rain runoff. The most important precaution concerning radioactivity is to avoid ingesting loose contamination. Although your guide might eat snacks or smoke in Pripyat, you should not – particularly if you have been handling things or visiting places like the hospital basement. Buy an ample supply of drinking water at one of the magazines in Chernobyl before going to Pripyat (obviously there is not potable water there). Water can also be used to rinse contaminated shoes before re-entering vehicles.
- 14 Duga Radar. 24/7. Within the 10 km zone is a large former secret radar installation that the Soviet government used to detect missiles, the Duga 3 Radar. From Pripyat, it is easy to see in the distance, if looking from a point of elevation. Vry.
Doen
- 1 Test a radiation detector. Although radiation detectors (Geiger counters, etc.) tick at many places in the Exclusion Zone, most of the measured activity is very close to natural background levels or slightly above. There are however notable hot spots, where radiation levels are many hundreds or even thousands of times higher than background radiation. If you've never heard a Geiger counter tick, then these are perfect locations to test them out! If you're brave, a good location is this waste separation facility, with radiation levels of ca. 1 mSv/h close to the ground. The radiation is concentrated in an area of about 10 x 10 m. It's recommended to stay no longer than 5 minutes in the area, which should be more than sufficient to make a video recording of a ticking Geiger counter!
Koop
Since all goods, including food and beverages, are imported into the Exclusion Zone from elsewhere in Ukraine, anything you purchase in the Exclusion Zone is more expensive than in the rest of Ukraine. The only shops are convenience and grocery stores, of which there are quite a few in Chernobyl town. They all sell very similar items: water, sodas, spirits, sausages and dried meats, canned foods, frozen foods, and a limited selection of convenience items and dairy products. Fresh fruits and vegetables are hard to find in the Exclusion Zone.
As a general rule, shops in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone only accept cash. There is an 1 ATM at Radianska, but the amount of cash that can be retrieved is limited per transaction.
Food and beverages
- 1 Central bus station, Kirova 2б. Grocery store in the main building of the Central bus station, to the left of the entrance.
- 2 Вечный Зов, Lenin Street. Convenience store next to the fire station. They have a variety of drinks, biscuits, and food. During summer months they also have some ice cream!
Souvenirs
With tourism in the Exclusion Zone booming after the 2019 HBO series on the Chernobyl accident, it is no surprise that a variety of nuclear themed souvenirs are available. The most popular ones are t-shirts, mugs, and coins. They can be purchased in most shops and restaurants in Chernobyl town.
- 3 RadioProActive, Чорнобильінтерінформ, Bohdana Khmelnytskoho. A selection of shirts (male and female, various sizes) can be purchased from a vending machine. A share of the revenue is automatically donated to settlers in the Exclusion Zone. To buy mugs with a trefoil logo on it, ask at the bar. They also sell some post cards, but usually no stamps. 500 грн.
- 4 Tamianske, Radianska 74. Copper or gold plated commemorative coins with a trefoil embossed on the face side and the iconic chimney of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant on the back side. 40 грн.
- 5 Community Centre, Rabkorovska. Various nuclear themed t-shirts and other memorabilia.
Eet
There are no formal restaurants or snack bars in the Exclusion Zone, so normally all food must be brought in from outside the Exclusion Zone. If you're looking for pizza, noodles, or sushi, then your only options are restaurants outside the Exclusion Zone. There are shops selling meats, dried fish, and canned vegetables as alternative to restaurants within the Exclusion Zone.
- 1 Desjatka, Bohdana Khmelnytskoho. Canteen for maintenance crews working in the Exclusion Zone, and occasionally also for tourists. Some guided tours stop here for lunch. When staying overnight in Chernobyl, the canteen is your only option for a warm meal.
Berries and fruits found in the forests within the Exclusion Zone all likely absorbed radioactive materials from the soil and are radioactive in varying degrees. Do not eat anything found in the Exclusion Zone. Mushrooms in particular tend to have a strong affinity towards radioactive substances and tend to accumulate respectable activity levels.
It is prohibited to consume food in open air within a 10-km range around the power plant.
It is recommended by tour agencies to only consume food and drink while on the buses/cars/vans and not while out on tour, to avoid exposing the consumables to potentially radioactive dust particles in the air.
Drink
All surface water in the Exclusion Zone is unsafe for drinking or washing because of radioactive contamination of the aquifer, so assume that all lakes and rivers are polluted with radionuclides. Stick to bottled water, which in Ukraine is predominantly sparkling.
Spirits, most commonly vodka and derived alcoholic drinks, are abundantly available in every grocery store in Chernobyl and relatively cheap.
A special Chernobyl beer is sold in select venues in Chernobyl. The beer is humorously said to improve communication between like-minded people, and helps to 'decontaminate' organisms in the Zone of Alienation. The bottles are easily recognizable by the green labels with a picture of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant after the accident printed on them.
Slaap
- 1 ChornobylInterinform Agency Hotel, Bohdan Khmelnytsky Blvd 1A (at the former intersection of Khmelnytsky Blvd and Polupanova Street). Inboek: (by arrangement), uitteken: (by arrangement). ~US$40 (double occupancy), July 2011.
Visitors have one (legal) option for spending the night in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, and it is the government-run hotel in central Chernobyl. Any of the tour companies mentioned elsewhere on this page can, in principle, make bookings for visitors at the hotel as part of the process of registering the tour with the InterInform Agency. Rules are constantly in flux; if you want to stay overnight in Chernobyl, ask your tour operator about it and make sure to plan early.
If you are accustomed to lodging standards in Kyiv, you will find the InterInform Agency hotel surprisingly affordable for the level of comfort provided. The buildings are prefabricated structures installed after the 1986 accident. Many rooms are actually suites, some larger than others. Some rooms have useful amenities like refrigerators, dining tables, sofas, or dishes—luck of the draw. Each room has its own bathroom and shower. Tap water is potable. No WiFi (2011). The buildings are not air-conditioned, but (hopefully!) the windows will be unlocked and screened in the summer. The main Interinform office building has the largest suites, while the annex to the east contains more rooms and even a chapel on the first floor with faux-stained-glass windows. Radiation levels at the InterInform Hotel are close to Kyiv background.
Hotel guests are not permitted to leave the premises without an authorized guide! This includes innocuously walking 500 m down the street to buy drinks, snacks or batteries at one of the magazins. If the very-abundant police catch you out on the town without your guide, you can expect a pleasant little march over to the police station near the Lenin statue and old Dom Kulturi, where they have an open-air gazebo set up with folks like you in mind. There you'll wait in contrition until your guide retrieves you.
The InterInform Agency canteen on the ground floor of the west building offers prix fixe dining by reservation only. Reservations made when the tour is booked with InterInform are about US$10 for lunch or dinner, but if meals must be arranged on the day of service, higher prices are charged. The canteen serves three meals a day at fixed times. Dinner is a multi-course, freshly-prepared, traditional Ukrainian set meal with very large portions and typically paired with a traditional beverage like kompot; even after a day of strenuous exploration in Pripyat, it may be hard to eat all the food they bring you, at the pace they bring it. Chances are nobody will check you for contamination or remind you to wash up before eating, but that would be a very good idea to do on your own.
- 2 Hotel 10, Kirova St. Refurbished Soviet-era barracks used as basic accommodation for longer stays in the Exclusion Zone. Up to 5 consecutive nights are allowed. The rooms have shared bathrooms with shower and toilet. There is a kitchen on the ground floor but no restaurant -- meals must be procured elsewhere. Probably the cheapest accommodation in the Chernobyl town. 200 грн.
Backcountry camping
As radiation levels in most of the Exclusion Zone continue to drop, backcountry camping is gaining more popularity as an alternative to spending the night in one of the designated hotels in Chernobyl town. Exploring the Exclusion Zone on foot and spending the night outdoors is probably the closest you'll ever get to a Fallout game experience. Spending the night in a tent in the world's most famous nuclear wasteland is a unique opportunity, but not for the faint of heart! It is strictly prohibited to make a camp fire due to the risk of forest fires, so electric torches are the only way to fend off wild animals—wolves and bears roam around at night. Rather than setting up your tent outside, it is recommended to set it up indoors instead, in one of the may abandoned warehouses or barns dotting the Exclusion Zone.
When traversing the Exclusion Zone off-road, make sure to bring an up-to-date radiation map, a compass, and/or rent a mobile satellite navigation system. Bring a radiation detector to verify radiation levels where you want to set up your camp, keep in mind that you'll be spending at least 6 to 8 hours here, so absorbed doses can accumulate fast. Aim for a dose rate of 10 µSv/h or lower where you set up camp. Setting up camp in or close to the Red Forest (the area with the highest radioactivity levels) is a bad idea, spending the night there may cause radiation sickness.
Bly veilig
Urban exploration
- See also: Urbex
If in Pripyat, exercise caution when entering buildings—the ground around entrances to, and inside buildings will generally be littered with broken glass, concrete and debris. Be sure to take care inside buildings as the flooring can be somewhat uneven (and sometimes unstable), handrails are missing, and elevator doors be left open with no elevator present. Watch your footing—a decent pair of shoes or boots would be a good idea. Tours are no longer allowed to enter the buildings due to an accident occurring involving a floor collapsing injuring several tourists. All visitors sign written acknowledgements of the Exclusion Zone rules, including the rules prohibiting structural access. However, it remains routine (2017) for in-depth custom tours to enter Pripyat structures and forested areas at the discretion of the guide.
Although some of the switch gear and power line infrastructure has been decommissioned after the shutdown of the 3 last reactors in the late 1990s, electrical power is supplied to the nuclear power plant site, Chernobyl, and many air quality monitoring stations from outside the Exclusion Zone. Do not touch electrical cables or other electrical infrastructure, even if they're laying on the ground, as many of these still carry live voltages.
Wildlife
Withdrawal of almost all human activity from the Exclusion Zone allowed nature to retake the area. Boars and bears are common as evidenced by hoof and paw prints in mud, and might attack when they feel cornered and/or threatened. Bears particularly enjoy the shelter of abandoned buildings, so make sure to make lots of noise when approaching buildings and never obstruct the path to/from a door to provide an easy escape route for animals that feel trapped.
Packs of wolves also roam through the Exclusion Zone, have grown in numbers, and are not afraid to venture into human occupied territories like the Chernobyl town. Inhabited properties are often fenced off with tall walls to keep wolves out, and it is common for doors to be locked at night. If you decide to bring smaller dogs or other pets into the Exclusion Zone, do not leave them outside at night!
Fotografie
Rising political tensions with neighbours Belarus en Russia have increased security around the nuclear power plant, with armed guards at security checkpoints and patrolling soldiers a common sight in the direct proximity of the plant. Do not make photographs of the checkpoints or whoever guards them. When photographing the NSC or any of the former power plant structures, avoid putting the 2 spent fuel storage facility and its supporting structures in view, as this tends to make guards nervous. When caught, your camera might be confiscated or your SD card formatted.
Stay healthy
- See also: Nuclear tourism#Stay safe
Beside the invisible radiation danger, there are the too small to easily notice ticks, which can be encountered in abundance in grassy areas and grasslands. When bitten by a tick there is a chance of contracting Borreliosis (Lyme disease), with risk of severe permanent consequences such as paralysis of limbs. When venturing into grasslands, cover as much skin as possible (long trousers and sleeves), and wear high wellies rather than regular shoes. If you spot ticks on clothes, wipe them off before they can reach down to your skin. If red concentric circles appear after three days up to a month after visiting, you might be infected and should consult a doctor immediately. Tick bites can not always be felt, so inspect your skin meticulously when undressing!
As of September 2020, there is an active rabies outbreak in the Exclusion Zone. Any contact with wild animals should be avoided, and a rabies vaccine is recommended.
Most forested areas should be avoided. Whereas areas accessible to tourists near the reactor and Pripyat generally has low radiation in most areas (but notably not in the hospital basement), forested areas may have higher levels of radiation, in part because no decontamination was attempted in those areas.
Do not ingest any material found within the exclusion zone as it may be radioactive. Food and drinks at the canteen do not come from the exclusion zone, so they should be safe.
Radiation hygiene is a very important consideration for in-depth visits, both for your safety and because radioactive contamination discovered on visitors at the Zone checkpoints is construed as prima facie evidence of rules violations (entering structures and straying from paved areas). If you go to the Zone with the goal of exploring and wallowing in the most contaminated areas (e.g. the Pripyat polyclinic or the "Red Forest"), pay attention! As of 2013, the Lelev checkpoint at the 10 km boundary is operational and all visitors must pass through the portal monitors while a police officer scans the vehicle and its interior contents with a scintillator; thus, it is no longer possible to plan on cleaning up at accommodations in Chernobyl in order to pass inspection at the 30-km boundary. You must be radiologically pristine (well, almost!) before getting back in the vehicle after going exploring. Take the following hygiene equipment, which you should have in easy reach for when you return to your vehicle:
- Pancake thin-window Geiger-Muller survey instrument. Cover the probe with a plastic bag to avoid contaminating it.
- Disposable gloves
- An abundance of carbonated bottled water, purchased at one of the small stores in Chernobyl before you head out to explore
- A cleaning brush with long bristles
- Pocket knife for cutting contaminated spots out of shoe soles (disposable shoe covers are a nice idea but they always break)
- Scissors for cutting contaminated hair
- A change of clothes and/or a disposable Tyvek coverall
Wear gloves while exploring to avoid contaminating hands. After exploration in contaminated areas, remove any obviously-contaminated outerwear like coverall or gloves or street clothes and pack it out in your luggage like a good citizen (low levels of contamination on these articles will be detected by the personnel portal monitors, but will not be noticed in luggage by the wand detectors the police use). Pass the GM probe over your body slowly and identify any spots exceeding about 500 CPM. First, attempt to wash as much of the contamination in these areas off by means of water and brushing. Contaminated hair or shoelaces should simply be cut off, as washing these will prove futile. Shoe soles are sometimes resistant to washing, in which case the offending spots should be reduced by cutting off with a knife. Your goal during cleanup should be to eliminate any spots on your body where the count rate exceeds 500 CPM on the pancake instrument, with particular attention to feet and hands. Avoiding contamination in the first place would in theory be preferable, but if you're reading this, you probably didn't come to Chernobyl to sit around staying clean.
The levels of radiation on guided tours are relatively small; radiation levels in most places are less than those of being in an aircraft flying at 30,000 ft. The main danger is not in the radiation, but in particles of radioactive materials that may remain on your clothes or items. Those who actually follow the rules (stay on pavement, out of buildings) will almost never trigger the portal monitor alarms at Dytyatky and can safely ignore the in-depth "radiation hygiene" discussion above.
A lethal dose of radiation is in the range of 3–5 Sv (sieverts) (300–500 roentgens) when administered within an hour. Levels on the tour reportedly range from 0.15 to several microsieverts (µSv) per hour (fifteen to several hundred microroentgens an hour). A microsievert is one-millionth of a sievert.
Example: On a six-hour trip arranged in October 2008 the total dose was 4 microsieverts according to the meter (400 microroentgens). This was less than the total dose of the connecting two-hour flight, which was 6 microsieverts (600 microroentgens). Radiation levels by the power plant were 1.7 microsieverts per hour (170 microroentgens per hour) and they varied between 0.4 and 9.5 µSv per hour (40–950 microroentgens per hour) in the Pripyat amusement park. Thus, risks are pretty much non-existent as long as you avoid hot spots and don't get yourself contaminated.
 | Nota: Stay on roads; the radiation levels on areas covered by vegetation are significantly higher. Even more important, the risk for contamination when walking amongst vegetation is higher because it is more difficult to avoid touching or inhaling anything. Follow common sense if you are on your own; if you see an area marked with a radiation sign, the meaning is clear: don't go there. |
The International Council on Radiation Protection has a recommended annual limit of 50 mSv (5 rem) (uniform irradiation of the whole body) for nuclear plant workers.
Clinical effects are seen at 750–2,000 mSv (75–200 rem) when administered in a short time scale.
Since the levels are microsieverts (10−6) the general exposure level is very low. But it is still possible to be in contact with some very hot surfaces, so caution should be stressed.
One rem is equal to 1.07 R (roentgen), or 0.01 sieverts or 10 millisieverts.
Verbind
There was no mobile communication infrastructure in the Exclusion Zone at the time of the accident, and none has been built ever since, so don't count on wireless reception. Notable exceptions are the area around the power plant and Chernobyl, which have 3G connectivity, and are the only places where you can get online.
There are no internet cafes, and there is no postal service in the Exclusion Zone. Post cards are for sale at the canteen in Chernobyl for 15 грн, but you'll need to take them out of the Zone to post them.
Respect
When visiting the Exclusion Zone as tourist rather than for research or scientific purposes, keep in mind that this is still a disaster area that only just started its long way toward recovery. Some of the locals have lively memories of how the accident unfolded, and almost everyone has been affected by it: people have been forced to evacuate, and many have lost relatives due to radiation induced effects.
Do not expect to be welcomed warmly into the Exclusion Zone. Tourists are only tolerated because they bring revenue into an area where virtually all other economic activities have ceased since 1986. This is not a safari park but the site of the worst civilian nuclear disaster in the history of mankind, so behave accordingly when interacting with locals. Being interested and asking questions is okay, but excitement is misplaced.
Gaan volgende
It's not possible to cross the border with Belarus from the Ukrainian side because the border runs through the Exclusion Zone and there are no manned border crossings. Onward travel options are: