• Ukraine=”borderland”– Location between Russia and Western European

powers

• Ample resources have led to its being under various foreign control:

– Russian Empire– Germany– Soviet Union

• chernozem—rich, black soil that covers more than half of Ukraine; great for farming

• collectives—government controlled farms set up by Soviet Union– How did they work out?– Forced to export most of the goods and left the

farmers to chose between abandoning farms or starving to death (which millions did in 1930s)

• 1986: sudden surge of power, destroyed the reactor and released massive amounts of radioactive material into the environment. – 31 people died as a direct result (estimated that

200,00 have died from the aftermath) – Cancer some 20 years from the accident– Foods had to be banned that were considered

contaminated– Wind carried the plume of radioactive particles

around the world• As far as the United States!

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The current Exclusion Zone is roughly 1,600 square miles of land contaminated with some degree of radiation. The Ukrainian government opened safer areas for tourism in 2011, most likely lower-radiation locations outside the 6-mile zone that surrounds reactor number four. Travel tip: Don't picnic in the center of that dark-green circle.

Chernobyl Today: Ghost Town

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Chernobyl Today: Abandoned School

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Which country was worst affected by the Chernobyl disaster?

• 70% of the fallout from the Chernobyl accident landed on Belarus, contaminating 23% of the country. • Occupied by 2 million people in 3,668 towns and villages. • 3,000 square kilometers of Belarus was exposed to over 40

curies per sq/km, – Ukraine had only 640 sq/ kms – Russia 310 sq/kms with the same degree of contamination.

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What effect does plutonium have on the farmland?

• The severe radioactive contamination of mushrooms, berries, game and fish, as well as of grass and hay used as fodder for dairy cattle.

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How have the children of Chernobyl been affected?

• Many of them have developed cancer (specifically leukemia and thyroid cancer)–10x the rate of normal thyroid cancer

occurrence• Stunted growth, immune disorders, etc.–Children of Chernobyl Video

Why is it important for children to leave Belarus in the summer? What effects does it have on their health?

• It boosts the children’s immune systems • In the summer, dust causes radiation levels to rise, it

is therefore important for as many children as possible to leave their contaminated homeland for a few weeks of fresh air and clean food.

• It can also significantly reduce the amount of radioactivity which has built up in a child’s body.

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What is a “liquidator”?

• Members of the clean-up teams sent in after the reactor exploded • 100,000 troops and 400,000 civilians

• The received the highest doses of radiation• Has led to chronic disease, cancer, etc.• More than 600 people were fatally contaminated

trying to put out the radioactive fire that wasn't responding to water.

What was the job of Chernobyl Liquidator Konstantin Slav?

• Removing the extremely radioactive water from around the reactor which was used to try to put out the fires

• What have been the consequences for his health?– Multiple health problems & numerous diseases

effecting the brain, nervous system and digestive system

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What was the job of Chernobyl Liquidator Vitaliy Ivanov?

• He was responsible for assisting the evacuation of residents from the areas surrounding the power plant

• How has this affected his sporting career?– He was an accomplished Judo champion. It ended

his career (high blood pressure and damage to his internal organs); he needs regular blood transfusions

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