Chernobyl - ten years after. The reactor accident and the safety of RBMK reactors

The publication presents a comprehensive but concise documentation of the reactor accident in the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. All relevant aspects are addressed in a manner and language that can be understood by the general reader with some background in scientific literature reading. The topics are: causes of the accident; safety of RBMK-type nuclear power plants (core design, shutdown systems, engineered safety systems, reactor containment, accident analysis and management system, operational control); safety of the reactor units 1,2 and 3 of the Chernobyl reactor; safety of the sarcophagus; radioactive conramination levels and radioactive wastes on site; the radiobiological situation in the affected areas; health effects of the accident; continued operation of RBMK-type nuclear power plants. Conclusions are drawn with respect to nuclear power plant operation and nuclear safety and radiological safety in Germany. (HP)