Publication Laka-library:
The Kyshtym disaster and what we can learn from it (1980)
| Author | K.Nienhuys |
| Date | 1980* |
| Classification | 2.34.8.80/15 (RUSSIA - MAYAK/CHELYABINSK (incl. Disaster Kyshtym Urals 1957)) |
| Front | 
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From the publication:
The Kyshtym disaster and what we can learn from it. K. Nienhuys. Introduction. The risk of a serious nuclear accident plays a dominant role in the nuclear energy debate. The possibility of a serious accident with a nuclear power plant or with spent fuel has often been called "hypothetical". But various accidents, of which the one at Three Mile Island drew most attention, brought home that the possibility of a serious nuclear accident is real. Up to now calculations on the extent of the consequences of such an accident were considered to be only theoretical. Recently, however, it became publicly known that a serious nuclear accident has happened in the Soviet Union in 1957/1958. In this article we analyse the available data on the so-called Kyshtym disaster. They prove that the calculations about the consequences of a serious nuclear accident have realistic value. This leads to the question how this knowledge is handled in industrialized societies planning large-scale use of nuclear energy for power generation. Usually it is endeavoured to limit the extent of the damage in case of an accident. Therefore we discuss and evaluate current developments in emergency planning for nuclear power plants against the background of calculated consequences of a reactor accident and the experiences of the Kyshtym disaster. The question is raised whether the mere possibility of a serious accident, even with the best emergency planning possible, does not make the use of nuclear power unacceptable.*) Estimated date
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