• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Podcast
  • Archives

Atomic Insights

Atomic energy technology, politics, and perceptions from a nuclear energy insider who served as a US nuclear submarine engineer officer

Letter from the Editor: Learning from a Tragedy

April 1, 1996 By Rod Adams

As a former nuclear plant supervisor, I was appalled by reports of plant bosses who ordered operators into highly contaminated areas without ensuring that they used protective clothing or breathing devices.

Last April, Atomic Energy Insights published its first issue. In the past year, AEI has attempted to provide a view of atomic topics that is different from what is readily available in other sources.

On the occasion of our first anniversary, we will tackle one of the most controversial nuclear topics, that of the Chernobyl accident. It happens that our first anniversary is concurrent with the 10th anniversary of the accident.

Tragedy

Though some of the articles in this issue will directly contradict other statements that you might have heard or read, please understand that we are not attempting a whitewash. The accident turned into a major catastrophe, millions of people experienced detrimental effects on their lives and livelihoods.

In doing research for this issue I found that responsible decision makers seemingly had no comprehension of simple measures that could dramatically reduce radiation exposure. They also seemed unaware that reactionary measures could cause far more harm than good.

As a former nuclear plant supervisor, I was appalled by reports of plant bosses who ordered operators into highly contaminated areas without ensuring that they used protective clothing or breathing devices. It was distressing to read about heroic actions taken for no reason other than to provide politicians with the sense that they were “doing something” to solve the problem.

I want to help to ensure that a similar tragedy does not happen again. Since much of the damage was caused by a lack of understanding of radiation health effects, this issue provides some specific recommendations for individuals confronted with making decisions during an accident, even if their span of control is limited to family members.

In as non-technical way as possible, one article discusses the specific actions that led to the explosion. Readers, especially those of you who are involved in nuclear plant operations, please take the time to honestly assess what you would have done if confronted by the same situation. Please do not take the easy route of simply dismissing the accident as something that could never happen here.

We hope that our modest effort will encourage some of you to use the facts presented here to counter outright falsehoods that will be portrayed in the mass media during the next month. The stories will make the papers; experienced anti-nuclear groups are already planning public relations actions that will emphasize the accident in an attempt to gain continued attention to their goal of shutting down the nuclear industry.

When your local paper claims that 125,000 people were killed as a result of the accident, please take the time to write a letter to the editor. The 125,000 number has been widely repeated, but it is a lie. It represents the total deaths in the affected areas since the accident. It includes deaths caused by old age, automobile accidents, liver disease, heart failure, lung cancer, and even suicides.

Please help us to ensure that the end result of Chernobyl is a stronger, safer nuclear industry that can help to meet the growing energy needs of our densely populated world.

Filed Under: Accidents, Atomic Insights April 1996, Politics of Nuclear Energy

About Rod Adams

Rod Adams is an atomic energy expert with small nuclear plant operating and design experience, now serving as a Managing Partner at Nucleation Capital, an emerging climate-focused fund. Rod, a former submarine Engineer Officer and founder of Adams Atomic Engines, Inc., one of the earliest advanced nuclear ventures, has engaged in technical, strategic, political, historic and financial discussion and analysis of the nuclear industry, its technology and policies for several decades. He is the founder of Atomic Insights and host and producer of The Atomic Show Podcast.

Please click here to subscribe to the Atomic Show RSS feed.

Primary Sidebar

Categories

Join Rod’s pronuclear network

Join Rod's pronuclear network by completing this form. Let us know what your specific interests are.

Recent Comments

  • David on Atomic Show #297 – Krusty – The Kilopower reactor that worked
  • Rod Adams on Atomic Show #297 – Krusty – The Kilopower reactor that worked
  • David on Atomic Show #297 – Krusty – The Kilopower reactor that worked
  • Rod Adams on Atomic Show #297 – Krusty – The Kilopower reactor that worked
  • paul wick on Atomic Show #297 – Krusty – The Kilopower reactor that worked

Follow Atomic Insights

The Atomic Show

Atomic Insights

Recent Posts

Atomic Show #297 – Krusty – The Kilopower reactor that worked

Nuclear energy growth prospects and secure uranium supplies

Nucleation Capital’s Earth Day in Atherton

Atomic Show #296 – Julia Pyke, Director of Finance Sizewell C

Solar’s dirty secrets: How solar power hurts people and the planet

  • Home
  • About Atomic Insights
  • Atomic Show
  • Contact
  • Links

Search Atomic Insights

Archives

Copyright © 2022 · Atomic Insights

Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy