I am interviewing Viktor Bryukhanov, the creator of reactor number four. Interview Questions
1. Q: What caused the reactor to blow up?
A: The Chernobyl accident was the result of a flawed reactor. It was run by inadequately trained personnel. Many safety regulations were violated, and the automatic shutdown mechanisms were disabled.
2. Q: Why was Victor Bryukhanov sent to jail, when all he did was build it?
A: Bryukhanov was jailed for negligence over the accident. The court believed he was the reason for so many deaths. Bryukhanov himself could not say he was completely innocent.
3. Q: How much did it cost to clean up the accident?
A: The clean up of the chernobyl accident will go on for many years. It cost about 2 million dollars to make a safe house for everyone. It cost even more to make the cement “Sarcophagus.”
4. Q: How many died as an immediate result of the accident?
A: The initial explosion resulted in the death of two workers. Twenty eight of the fireman and emergency clean-up. They died in the first three months of the explosion.
5. Q: What are some major health effects of radiation?
A: Many children from the ages 0-14 had thyroid cancer. Many were told they had ration poisoning, which sometimes led to suicide, drinking problems, and apathy. Some cancer people got was not from the radiation but from the medicine they were given.
6. Q: How did people clean up the area after the accident?
A: Liquidators were drafted to help clean up the plant premises. There were from about 400,000 to 600,000 liquidators. They built waste repositories, dams, water filtration systems, and the “Sarcophagus.”
7. Q: Was all of Europe/world affected?
A: Scandinavian countries and other parts of the world were affected. During the first three weeks he levels of radiation in the air in many places was high. The main countries that were affected was Ukraine, Belarus, and the Russian federation.
8. Q: Is it safe the visit the area today?
A: You can visit the Chernobyl area today. Including the exclusion area 30 kilometers around the plant. Even thought some radioactive isotopes released into the air still linger. They are ok for a short period of time.
9. Q: What did you do to insure safety on other RBMK reactors.
A: Many are working to improve the design of the reactor. Workers are now required to know how to run nuclear power plant. Ever since the disaster it has been a significant driving force for the IAEA.
10. Q: Did Viktor Bryukhanov feel that he needed to rush.
A: Viktor Bryukhanaov rused because he felt pressured. The government made a dead line and he was behind. So he skipped some things to get it done.