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Chernobyl: the site -

In 1986, a major nuclear disaster occurred. The Chernobyl nuclear power plant, situated in the city of Pripyat in Ukraine, was the site of this tragic event. At the time, Ukraine was a part of the Soviet Union.

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Chernobyl: the accident -

According to The Daily Express, over 30 individuals lost their lives in the explosion, leading to the evacuation of approximately 50,000 people.

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Chernobyl: the consequences -

As per a UN report, around 8.4 million individuals, including those participating in disaster response operations, were exposed to radiation.

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Chernobyl: aftermath -

The area known as the Exclusion Zone used to have a radius of 30 km around the nuclear plant, but it has expanded to cover more than 200 square kilometers. Due to high levels of radiation, inhabiting this area remains extremely limited, even after many years.

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Chernobyl: population -

Despite the significant health dangers, certain individuals persist in residing in their villages near Chernobyl, according to the Daily Mail.

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Chernobyl: exclusion zone -

According to National Geographic, prior to the Russian invasion, a few tourists disregarded warnings and endangered their lives by illegally entering the exclusion zone. Presently, the area has become even more dangerous.

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Fukushima: the area -

It is advisable to steer clear of the Fukushima region in Japan due to high radiation levels.

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Fukushima: the disaster -

Japan was struck by a powerful earthquake and subsequent tsunami in 2011.

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Fukushima: victims -

At least 15,000 deaths resulted from the disaster, as reported by The Independent.

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Fukushima: the nuclear accident -

The Fukushima nuclear power plant was struck by a tsunami, resulting in the failure of the reactors. This incident became the largest nuclear disaster after Chernobyl.

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Fukushima: population -

The Japanese government and the nuclear power plant company faced criticism for not adequately informing people. Residents reportedly relocated to areas with higher radiation levels than where they originally were, as reported by the BBC.

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Fukushima: aftermath -

According to The Independent, high levels of radiation can still be detected near the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

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Fukushima: exclusion zone -

According to The Telegraph, tourists still visit the exclusion zone despite warnings and put their lives at risk.

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The Polygon: the site -

Located in Kazakhstan, 'The Polygon', or the Semipalatinsk Test Site, is renowned for its nuclear testing activities.

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The Polygon: history -

According to a National Geographic article, during the Cold War, Soviet nuclear tests were carried out in this location, resulting in catastrophic effects on nearby village inhabitants.

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The Polygon: consequences -

Approximately 100,000 individuals in the area are still impacted by radiation.

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Hanford: the site -

According to the Seattle Times, the site in Washington was used for the US nuclear program during World War II and the Cold War.

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Hanford: history -

The location was responsible for manufacturing the atomic bomb used in World War II, specifically in Nagasaki.

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Hanford: aftermath -

The government initiated the cleanup of the site and made plans for its demolition, which led to concerns about radioactive particles discovered in vehicles.

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Hanford: aftermath -

As per The Seattle Times, errors in the demolition project of the site might have caused radiation to spread to the neighboring areas.

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Radiation exposure -

If a person is exposed to high levels of radiation found in these areas, serious health risks can occur. BBC reported that such exposure can even result in death within a few hours.

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Environmental contamination -

Alongside human pollution, a nuclear incident can jeopardize the safety of our food and water.

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Serious illnesses -

As per the BBC, common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and fever. At a higher stage, radiation exposure can harm internal organs and lead to different types of cancer.

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Children -

Children may be more severely impacted by the damage caused by radiation as their bodies are still in the developmental stage. As stated by the BBC, the occurrence of thyroid cancer among children in the affected area significantly rose after the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. The accumulation of radioactive iodine in the thyroid gland is responsible for this.

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Treatments -

Several treatments are available for radiation exposure, including medication that boosts white blood cells to address potential bone marrow damage.

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Treatment -

According to the BBC, the initial step is to gently cleanse the skin and hair using soap and water.

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Avoid -

In the end, it's best to avoid these radioactive zones.

See also: What are the safest countries to be in if a third World War starts?

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