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The Chernobyl Meltdown:

Government Irresponsibility and
Denied Rights in the
Worlds Worst Nuclear Disaster

Reegan M. Fabian
Junior Division
Historical Paper

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The worlds most catastrophic nuclear accident not only destroyed the physical structure
of the Chernobyl Power Plant, but forever altered the lives of thousands of innocent victims. The
Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, located in the now abandoned Ukrainian town of Pripyat, was a
relatively new plant, completed in 1983 (World Nuclear Association). Its failure, occurring on
April 26 1986 at 1:23:43 a.m., was a shocking, fast-paced disaster. The initiation of an
experimental test of the plants fourth reactor, ended in a large steam explosion, releasing
immense amounts of radiation into the atmosphere (Eustory). The Chernobyl Disaster is the most
destructive nuclear accident in history, but it was entirely preventable. Through a combination of
poorly executed responsibilities including the ignoring of previous historical mishaps and
government negligence, the Chernobyl explosion became both an environmental and human
rights disaster. The Chernobyl Disaster transformed the way the world looks at nuclear power
and the possible consequence of improper management.
The Chernobyl Disaster is an example of failed responsibilities because of the many
nuclear accidents that should have served as examples of what to avoid. Chernobyl mimicked the
calamitous outcomes of the atomic bombs dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan in August
1945 (World Nuclear Association). Although the A-bomb was not a power plant explosion and
more immediately devastating than Chernobyl, the radiations effects were quite similar. Many of
the 103,000 people killed by the A-bombs died from various radiation illnesses such as acute
radiation exposure and cancer (World Nuclear Association). The main cause of Chernobyl deaths
were thyroid cancer and the first signs of illness were acute radiation syndrome (United Nations).
Just like Chernobyl, the radionuclide, Caseium-237, [] remained detectable for many years in
soil and farm products in the Nishiyama district east of Nagasaki (World Nuclear Association).
Caseium-237 continues to be the main radioactive isotope found in communities affected by

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Chernobyl (Maryann Deleo). After the A-bombs, birth defect rates rose considerably in heavily
radioactive areas (World Nuclear Association). Similarly, birth defects skyrocketed in Belarus,
Ukraine, and Russia, after the 1986 explosion (United Nations). Chernobyl Operators and the
USSR failed to uphold their responsibility to take appropriate steps to prevent a similar disaster
resulting in Chernobyl mirroring many of the A-bombs horrific side effects. Sadly, the Abomb was only the first nuclear happening that called for attention and improvement that
Chernobyl proceeded to ignore.
Moreover, the Chernobyl meltdown paralleled the Three Mile Island Accident. In 1979, a
partial nuclear explosion occurred in central Pennsylvania (World Nuclear Association).
Although most of the radiation was contained and no serious health hazards or injuries arose, the
accident demonstrated unacceptable mistakes. The relatively new second reactor exploded due to
a minor cooling malfunction triggered by poor operator actions. The overheated reactor
automatically shut down, partially melting the core and releasing a small amount of radiation.
Luckily, the plants on-site containment building displayed its integrity and trapped the
radioactive material, unlike Chernobyl, which did not house any buildings of that capability
(World Nuclear Association). Instead of learning from Three Mile Islands flaws, Chernobyl
proceeded to duplicate them. The Chernobyl explosion occurred due to extreme temperature
changes and operator actions, just like in Pennsylvania. Furthermore, confused Pennsylvanians
were fed contradictory information about the explosion and whether the radiation posed health
threats (Bromet 83-84). After the Chernobyl Accident, evacuated citizens were never told the
full story and only had access to minimal information. The fact that Three Mile Islands accident
occurred within ten years of Chernobyl is particularly alarming. The plants similar attributes
should have served as a warning because Chernobyl could have very well been next in line. The

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responsibility to recognize similar threats and address them properly was overlooked by the
USSR. The fact that the Soviets were unable to learn from their own mistakes highlights their
irresponsibility. Their secretive nature only furthered their failure to protect their citizens.
Even through all of its secrecy, it was discovered that Chernobyl was not the first nuclear
disaster to occur in the USSR. The USSR claimed Chernobyl to be their first nuclear accident.
However, it is known in 1958, a nuclear explosion killed several hundred and left a large area
contaminated, some 800 miles east of Moscow (ABC News). Little has been revealed about this
accident, due to the Soviets secrecy. This idea is unsettling because there are, potentially, more
disasters hidden in their history. As a result of the Soviets clandestine behavior, they failed to
prevent the reoccurrence of their own mistakes, thus leading to Chernobyl. Unfortunately, the
inability to improve flaws with the help of examples was only one component of the mistakes
made by the USSR and plant operators.

Fig.1: Reactor Fours physical destruction (Chernobyl Reactor Destruction)

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Poor governmental involvement by the USSR and amateur decisions of operators also led
to Chernobyls devastation. The Chernobyl reactors, all built of the same RBMK-100 design,
were ticking time bombs. Not only was the RBMK design dangerous to begin with, but the
reactors at the plant did not comply with the design instruction. According to a letter sent to the
Chernobyl plant in 1979 by the Committee of State Security, operators of the newly built reactors
No. 1 and 2 were warned of the structural mistakes committed and the possibility of mishaps if
they were left unattended. These mistakes included The placement of roof plates [] and the
fact that 170 individuals had experienced work-related injuries in under a year (USSR
Committee of State Security). Though these problems may have been mitigated, reactors 3 and 4
were also created imperfectly, which most likely contributed to Reactor Fours demise.
Thankfully, RBMK design weaknesses have been largely improved upon since 1986. The
substantial improvements vary from adding the correct number of control rods, to making system
responses speedier (IAEA). The goal of safety and high quality was impossible with the RBMK
design. The USSR was responsible for choosing the best specifics for the plant, as well as
making sure they were carried out in the most efficient way possible. The RBMK design was a
gateway to a sloppy future regarding safety culture and emergency preparation.
Shoddy operator actions contributed greatly to the Chernobyl Meltdown. Chernobyl
operators were not properly educated of the importance of caution with nuclear power and as a
result, took serious decisions too lightly. Before the explosion, safety systems were turned off
during an experiment to test unassisted emergency responses of the cooling system (Eustory).
Even though, some safety disables were prohibited, it appears to have not been taken as seriously
as it should have. Due to the USSR being isolated from the rest of the modern world, safety
culture was never properly stressed to workers. For example, very few control rods were used,

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proving the workers were not experts in their field (Eustory). In fact, operators knew so little
about nuclear power management that the Chernobyl happenings were compared to the satirical
animated TV show, The Simpsons, whose main character, Homer Simpson, is an inept power
plant operator.

Fig.2: Photo of The Simpsons mural juxtaposed with the destruction of the Chernobyl accident
(COMBO).
If Chernobyl operators had been better educated, the disaster may have never occurred.
Additionally, fear and confusion overtook the operators, moments before the explosion. Hence,
all they could do was accept their decisions and watch the consequence of them literally explode
before their eyes. The Chernobyl operators were walking around blindly with the absence of
information needed to correctly run a nuclear power plant. To this day, operator actions are still
inadequate. In 2010, a story emerged about the irresponsible choices of a group of Chernobyl
workers involving the scaring away of a rabid, radioactive wolf that was walking near the plant
(Featherstone 58). The vague presence of safety culture led to poor worker decisions, which

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directly caused the Chernobyl accident. Ridiculously, the USSR continued to ignore safety
concerns by not monitoring its plant.
The USSR allowed the Chernobyl disaster to occur by not closely monitoring the site,
and then proceeding to cover up the damage and diminish the fallouts severity. The USSRs
display of carelessness prevented operators from learning from their mistakes. Even though the
USSR claimed to be the governing body, they never routinely checked on the plants internal and
external conditions. Numerous requirements were detailed but unenforced (IAEA). The
International Nuclear Safety Advisory Group [] now confirms the view that safety culture had
not been properly instilled in nuclear power plants in the USSR [] many of its requirements
seem to have existed in regulations, but these were not enforced" (IAEA). Therefore, the
Chernobyl staff created their own management system. In addition, the USSR allowed
Chernobyl personnel to make poor decisions during the experiment that resulted in the explosion.
Personnel were unaware of the complexity of nuclear power and therefore, unfit to conduct
dangerous experiments. After the accident, the USSR was too crippled by their embarrassment to
handle the situation in a responsible manner.
The Chernobyl disaster was an embarrassment to the USSR and they began efforts to
conceal, down play, and hide the disasters true causes. One of the first attempts to withhold
information was the delay of an official disaster announcement until 9:00pm the day after the
disaster (Eustory). The announcement came after the nearby town of Pripyat had been evacuated
and several countries, including the United States, had already recognized the reality of the
situation due to a radioactive cloud moving over Europe (ABC News). The USSR continually
lied to their people, for example, "The government announced that the radioactive debris falling
was actually snow (Chabads Children of Children). Still, countries were eager to offer

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assistance in the USSRs time of need; in a press release dated four days after the accident, the
United States expressed its sorrow and concern for the recent crisis. We hope that the casualties
and material damage will be minimal. The United States is prepared to make available to the
Soviet Union humanitarian and technical assistance dealing with this accident [] we hope the
Soviet Union will fulfill its international obligations to provide information on the accident in a
timely manner (Statement by Principal Deputy).

Fig.3: Cartoon alluding to the USSRs failure to provide for victims and the medias importance
for the spread of information (Block).
The USSR was so paralyzed by its own shame that even as the world was begging for answers, it
remained mute. Instead of accepting their mistake and attempting to fix it, they continued to play
down the seriousness of the situation. "[] the underestimation of the radiation injuries of the
Chernobyl disaster has been concealing and falsifying the fact (United Nations: Economic and

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Social Council). The USSR, Chernobyl workers, and RBMK design all contributed to the
cultural effects including illness, on European citizens that altered lives of thousands of people.
In addition to poor governmental involvement and irresponsible operations of the plant,
the Chernobyl disaster resulted in human rights violations. After the fallout, the USSR violated
articles 13, 23, and 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Universal Declaration of
Human Rights). Article 13 dealt with the evacuation of the adjacent town of Pripyat, Ukraine. It
states, Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each
state (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, art.13, sec.1). Through necessary but forced
evacuation, Article 13 was violated. Even though the evacuation was for the safety of citizens, it
was forced and nobody was allowed to stay. This impeaches upon being able to reside in any part
of the country. Article 23 states, Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment,
to just and favorable conditions of work [...] (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, art.23,
sec.1). Conditions at the power plant were poor before and after the accident. Before, the safety
culture was weak, after, the plant was radioactive. Article 25 states that Everyone has the right
to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family,
including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to
security[](Universal Declaration of Human Rights, art.25, sec.1). To this day, villages and
towns hundreds of miles away remain radioactive (United Nations: Economic and Social
Council). Consuming fresh milk containing the radioactive material "I" was identified as a major
cause of thyroid cancer (United Nations). According to UN reports, approximately 1 million
people were exposed to unsafe levels of radiation through the consumption of food (Ukraine
16). Poverty forced many to come in contact with contaminated objects and, as a result, become
increasingly poisoned (UNDP and UNICEF). Furthermore, proper medical care was unavailable.

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This was partially due to the USSRs disbelief of health effects after the fallout. The USSR was
unprepared for the health consequences and, as a result, inadequately addressed the needs of
those affected (United Nations: Economic and Social Council). Evacuated citizens were provided
the same vague information as the rest of the world. In fact, for three long years, an information
blackout occurred in Belarus. This included the information that 70 percent of all radioactive
material was nestled on Belarus's soil and that one fourth of citizens lived in contaminated areas
(Permanent People's Tribunal and International Medical Commission on Chernobyl). As a result
of the USSR denying the victims of Chernobyl their basic human rights, citizens in countless
countries were dying or ill. These human rights violations led to further destruction: radiation
that would soon suffocate the countries of Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia.
Radiation induced illnesses were the most preventable and horrific aspect of the
Chernobyl Meltdown. The radiation released after the explosion caused widespread sickness in
many countries. Sadly, many of the inflicted were children or young adults, being of the most
susceptible to radiation (Maryann Deleo). Lethal illnesses, such as cancer infected nearly every
Chernobyl victim. After the Fallout, thyroid cancer cases skyrocketed in Belarus, Ukraine, and

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Russia (United Nations).

Fig.4: Incidence of thyroid cancer in Belarus 1985-2004 (Frenze and Lengfelder 45).
Due to the long list of cancer patients awaiting surgery, most would die before receiving the lifesaving treatment. Belaruss capitol, Minsk, is home to the largest thyroid centers in the world.
The fallout forced Minsk to become the international thyroid cancer center, being that the
infected were so common in Belarus (99% of country affected by radiation) (Maryann Deleo).
Thyroid cancer became such a prevalent part of everyday life that poets began describing the
epidemic saying, "We dreamed of glowing children, their throats alive and cancerous, their eyes
like lightning in the dark (Dubrow). Children and infants were disproportionately affected by
the nuclear disaster.
Possibly most heartbreaking were the birth defects of hundreds of thousands of innocent

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children. After the fallout, birth defect rates shot to an all-time high in many European countries
including Belarus and Ukraine. Congenital birth defects have increased by over 250% since the
1986 accident (Maryann Deleo). Shortly after the fallout began, 84% of Belarusian babies
would be born with some sort of handicap, due to radiation exposure in the womb (Maryann
Deleo). As a result, countless children with birth defects were abandoned and forced to live in
neglectful, overcrowded asylums and orphanages (Maryann Deleo). Such handicaps would
prevent children from succeeding in school, developing normal physical abilities, and,
eventually, holding a normal job (Maryann DeLeo). Thankfully, within 5 years of the explosion,
many organizations rescued children from radioactive areas, in hopes of giving them a better life.
The Chabads Children of Chernobyl Organization has been rescuing children since August 3
1990, when they saved 196 children from their radioactive towns. Since then, thousands of
children have come through CCOCs doors, where they receive housing, education and medical
care []. The CCOC still, to this day, removes children, including those suffering from birth
defects, from many radioactive countries (Chabad's Children of Chernobyl). Although, the birth
defect levels have decreased since 1986, cases still arise of infants with radiation-related
problems (United Nations: Economic and Social Council). Of all the irresponsible actions of the
USSR, the treatment of children with birth defects was one of the most neglected. The Chernobyl
Disaster is an important event for its countless lessons on the deadly effects of carelessness.
The Chernobyl Disaster is the epitome of irresponsible decisions and a violation of
peoples rights. Little did the world know, that the sudden steam explosion of 1986 would
devastate over 9 million peoples lives for countless decades (Maryann DeLeo). The fact that the
entire meltdown and all of its effects could have been completely avoided makes Chernobyl the
worst nuclear disaster in history. The Chernobyl Disaster was triggered by the failure to learn

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lessons of past historical accidents coupled with poor government involvement. This, in turn,
shattered the lives of millions through the denial of human rights and radiation-induced illnesses.
Unbelievably, the explosion only released 3% of its full potential. (Maryann DeLeo). The
Chernobyl Disaster changed the way the world looks at nuclear power. The disaster serves as a
reminder for the importance of safety, caution, and exactitude in the operation of chemical
reactors. Although some small nuclear accidents have occurred since 1986, the casualties and
severity have decreased. The day of April 26, 1986 will forever be a turning point in our worlds
history. Through all of Chernobyls darkness, it paved the way for a brighter future by serving as
an example of rights and responsibilities for generations to come.