Chernobyl Nuclear Accident Congressional Hearings Transcript

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The information on the conditions in the sarcophagus was obtained in significant detaO as a result of
much courageous and hard wor(( by dedicated workers at the reactor.
The Cun-ent Risks
WhPe radiatkNi release rates from the sarcophagus are now low, much of the fuel and remaining
radknctive material is in a form that potentially could be dispersed under a number of conditions. Examples
of release mechanisms are:
• The over 2,000 ton reactor cover is tated on edge. Its stability Is unknown. If it falls it will create
a big doud of radioactive material.
• Birds, Insects, and animals live and feed in the sarcophagus. They cany radioactive material
outskle of the buPding.
• The sarcophagus is open to the environment. Releases increase under some weather
conditkxis, sometimes by a significant amount.
• The sarcophagus is deteriorating rapidly. Steel portions are rusting. Concrete is cracking and
crumbling in places.
• The immense structure of the sarcophagus Is settling unevenly. The area of the openings is
about 13,000 square feet, and the number and size of the existing openings are increasing.
In addition, there are large amounts of radioactive material buried In pits near the sites. This material
is entering the water table and could move Into the food chain, creating health risks.
It is known that there are hot spots outside the exclusion area. The limits and contents of these hot
spots are Rl defined. The population in the area that received fallout are receiving increased ex(>osures over
nomnal background, partk:uiar1y in the areas of the hot spots. The population in the areas that received
fallout is at an increased risk over people in other areas. Due to uncertainties in understanding both the
effects of low levels of radiattons, and detaPs of the exposures and distributkin, it is not possible to quantify
the extent of this risk.
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