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Chernobyl's legacy 30 years on Chernobyl's legacy 30 years on
(about 3 hours later)
Children are still being born with severe birth defects and rare types of cancer in areas near to Chernobyl, according to a British charity, three decades on from the world's worst civil nuclear disaster.Children are still being born with severe birth defects and rare types of cancer in areas near to Chernobyl, according to a British charity, three decades on from the world's worst civil nuclear disaster.
The accident on 26 April 1986 contributed to the downfall of the Soviet Union, changed the way the world thinks about nuclear energy and has affected an unquantifiable number of people in the region.The accident on 26 April 1986 contributed to the downfall of the Soviet Union, changed the way the world thinks about nuclear energy and has affected an unquantifiable number of people in the region.
For British paediatrician Dr Rachel Furley, the "desperately sad" reality is that women who have spent their entire lives exposed to high levels of radiation are now having children.For British paediatrician Dr Rachel Furley, the "desperately sad" reality is that women who have spent their entire lives exposed to high levels of radiation are now having children.
She says that in the most severe cases babies have limbs missing and in one case a baby was born with two heads.She says that in the most severe cases babies have limbs missing and in one case a baby was born with two heads.
When Dr Furley is not treating children in Bury St Edmunds, she helps 800 youngsters in Gomel, a region of Belarus.When Dr Furley is not treating children in Bury St Edmunds, she helps 800 youngsters in Gomel, a region of Belarus.
She set up the charity Bridges to Belarus when she was still at medical school.She set up the charity Bridges to Belarus when she was still at medical school.
It now gives families clothing, school materials and accommodation, as well as food during the harsh winter, English lessons and healthcare.It now gives families clothing, school materials and accommodation, as well as food during the harsh winter, English lessons and healthcare.
The organisation also provides pain relief, palliative care and potentially lifesaving blood tests for the unusually high number of children with cancer, in a region where state healthcare is often lacking.The organisation also provides pain relief, palliative care and potentially lifesaving blood tests for the unusually high number of children with cancer, in a region where state healthcare is often lacking.
The statistics are starkThe statistics are stark
In more than a decade's work as a paediatrician in Britain, Dr Furley has seen two children with thyroid tumours.In more than a decade's work as a paediatrician in Britain, Dr Furley has seen two children with thyroid tumours.
Roughly half of the 800 children her charity assists in the Gomel region have developed thyroid cancer.Roughly half of the 800 children her charity assists in the Gomel region have developed thyroid cancer.
"We have an awful lot of palliative cancers and tumours. Types which we don't see anywhere else in the world.""We have an awful lot of palliative cancers and tumours. Types which we don't see anywhere else in the world."
Dr Furley studies the "really strange birth abnormalities and genetic disorders" with medical colleagues in Britain. The diseases are often linked to heart problems and sometimes learning disabilities.Dr Furley studies the "really strange birth abnormalities and genetic disorders" with medical colleagues in Britain. The diseases are often linked to heart problems and sometimes learning disabilities.
When compared with the mortality rates of the wider population the children helped by Bridges to Belarus stand a better chance of living longer.When compared with the mortality rates of the wider population the children helped by Bridges to Belarus stand a better chance of living longer.
But still, according to the charity, many die young.But still, according to the charity, many die young.
Deserted cityDeserted city
The desolate concrete graveyard of giant Soviet-era buildings in the deserted city adjacent to Chernobyl is a reminder of how, in the days following the accident, a whole community left their homes in a hurry and never returned.The desolate concrete graveyard of giant Soviet-era buildings in the deserted city adjacent to Chernobyl is a reminder of how, in the days following the accident, a whole community left their homes in a hurry and never returned.
Pripyat was a city built for Chernobyl's workers and their families.Pripyat was a city built for Chernobyl's workers and their families.
Before the disaster it had a population of 60,000.Before the disaster it had a population of 60,000.
Three decades on and children's shoes and toys are still left in the decaying building that was a kindergarten.Three decades on and children's shoes and toys are still left in the decaying building that was a kindergarten.
Families separatedFamilies separated
But about 180 mainly elderly people still live within the 30km exclusion zone around Chernobyl.But about 180 mainly elderly people still live within the 30km exclusion zone around Chernobyl.
Sixty-two-year-old Valentina remembers the "whispers" and "fear" within the local community in the days after the disaster.Sixty-two-year-old Valentina remembers the "whispers" and "fear" within the local community in the days after the disaster.
It took the Soviet authorities several days to announce that something had happened at Chernobyl. And it took much longer for the full truth to emerge.It took the Soviet authorities several days to announce that something had happened at Chernobyl. And it took much longer for the full truth to emerge.
Valentina left the area briefly but soon returned to her home near Chernobyl. Her daughter, sister and parents, however, were relocated to different parts of Ukraine.Valentina left the area briefly but soon returned to her home near Chernobyl. Her daughter, sister and parents, however, were relocated to different parts of Ukraine.
"Being separated from my family was hard," she told us. "But I don't worry about my health."Being separated from my family was hard," she told us. "But I don't worry about my health.
"We don't fear the radiation… for us it doesn't matter where we die.""We don't fear the radiation… for us it doesn't matter where we die."
Workers kept in the darkWorkers kept in the dark
Andrei Glukhov worked at Chernobyl and knew those in the control room of reactor four, whose names are part of a permanent memorial to the 31 people killed in the immediate aftermath of the accident.Andrei Glukhov worked at Chernobyl and knew those in the control room of reactor four, whose names are part of a permanent memorial to the 31 people killed in the immediate aftermath of the accident.
The body of one man is thought still to be inside.The body of one man is thought still to be inside.
In the early hours of 26 April, Andrei was at home in Pripyat when he heard loud bangs.In the early hours of 26 April, Andrei was at home in Pripyat when he heard loud bangs.
There was a brief power cut. But even employees like Andrei were not told what had happened.There was a brief power cut. But even employees like Andrei were not told what had happened.
Two days later he saw the "glowing" core of the reactor. Attempts to cover up the disaster further discredited the Soviet authorities and ultimately contributed to the downfall of the Soviet Union.
Two days later Andrei visited the plant and saw the "glowing" core of the reactor.
"This was the moment that I realised that this was not an accident. It was a disaster," he recalls."This was the moment that I realised that this was not an accident. It was a disaster," he recalls.
Even after the accident at the nuclear plant at Fukushima, Japan in 2011, Chernobyl retains the unfortunate infamy of being known as the world's worst ever civil nuclear disaster.Even after the accident at the nuclear plant at Fukushima, Japan in 2011, Chernobyl retains the unfortunate infamy of being known as the world's worst ever civil nuclear disaster.
Chernobyl disasterChernobyl disaster
30 years on, 30 to go?30 years on, 30 to go?
Andrei is now part of an international project to build a shield-like structure, which later this year will be moved over reactor four.Andrei is now part of an international project to build a shield-like structure, which later this year will be moved over reactor four.
Work will then begin, using robotic machinery, to deconstruct the reactor and the highly radioactive core.Work will then begin, using robotic machinery, to deconstruct the reactor and the highly radioactive core.
Even now, approximately 97% of the reactor's radioactive contents remain inside.Even now, approximately 97% of the reactor's radioactive contents remain inside.
It could take as long as 30 years to complete the project.It could take as long as 30 years to complete the project.
However, the other 3% - which spewed out following the explosion and fire inside the reactor - not only had a devastating health impact on an unquantifiable number of people, it also changed the way the world regards nuclear energy.However, the other 3% - which spewed out following the explosion and fire inside the reactor - not only had a devastating health impact on an unquantifiable number of people, it also changed the way the world regards nuclear energy.
'Opened eyes' on nuclear'Opened eyes' on nuclear
According to Vince Novak, head of nuclear safety at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the project's main donor, Chernobyl "had a phenomenal influence on public opinion and public and political acceptance" towards nuclear energy.According to Vince Novak, head of nuclear safety at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the project's main donor, Chernobyl "had a phenomenal influence on public opinion and public and political acceptance" towards nuclear energy.
As well as the negative impact it had on the nuclear industry, Mr Novak argues that it also "opened the eyes of Western politicians" and "paved the way for huge improvements to nuclear safety", particularly within the former Soviet Union.As well as the negative impact it had on the nuclear industry, Mr Novak argues that it also "opened the eyes of Western politicians" and "paved the way for huge improvements to nuclear safety", particularly within the former Soviet Union.
Chernobyl's last active reactor was shut down in 2000.Chernobyl's last active reactor was shut down in 2000.
Since then eight more Soviet-designed reactors in Eastern European countries have been closed down.Since then eight more Soviet-designed reactors in Eastern European countries have been closed down.
No room for complacencyNo room for complacency
The question we all have is: could there ever be another Chernobyl?The question we all have is: could there ever be another Chernobyl?
Before the events in Fukushima, Vince Novak was "absolutely convinced" that a nuclear accident on a similar scale was not possible.Before the events in Fukushima, Vince Novak was "absolutely convinced" that a nuclear accident on a similar scale was not possible.
Now he is more cautious.Now he is more cautious.
The risks have "decreased significantly" because of technological and attitudinal changes.The risks have "decreased significantly" because of technological and attitudinal changes.
But, he says, there is no room for complacency when it comes to nuclear safety.But, he says, there is no room for complacency when it comes to nuclear safety.