So far, the world has avoided an exchange of nuclear bombs, but what about the Zaparozhye nuclear power plant (ZNPP) in Ukraine, the largest nuclear generating station in Europe? Could there be another Chernobyl?
The ZNPP is currently under Russian control. The reactors are shut down. Cooling water is still needed for the six reactors and the spent fuel storage pond. The destruction of the Kakhova dam caused the loss of its main water supply and also of the Kakhova hydroelectric generating facility. The power supply needed for safety features is imperiled, states the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is on site.
Ukrainian president Zelensky has released videos stating that Russia is plotting a massive terrorist attack at ZNPP. Ukraine’s spymaster Kyrylo Budanov released a video alleging that Russia has mined the ZNPP basement. A day later, U.S. Senator Lindsay Graham put forth a resolution that specifically quotes the “destruction of a nuclear facility” and “dispersing radioactive contaminates [sic]” as an attack on NATO itself, “requiring an immediate response, including the implementation of Article V of the North Atlantic Treaty.” Simplicius writes that this is a coordinated plan for a false flag attack on ZNPP by Ukraine to get NATO directly involved in the Ukraine conflict.
The prospect of an attack on ZNPP evokes images of Chernobyl, with a plume of radioactive materials spreading worldwide. A Chernobyl-type explosion is impossible here. The Chernobyl reactor was inherently unsafe—its design permitted production of weapons-grade plutonium as well as electricity. Its “positive void coefficient” accelerated the nuclear chain reaction and power output if the reactors lost cooling water. A steam explosion blew the top off the reactor, exposing the core to the environment, as it lacked a containment building. A fire that burned for 10 days released a large amount of radioactivity to the environment. Thirty-one people were killed immediately, and up to 20,000 later cases of thyroid cancer were attributed to environmental contamination.
Casualties from Chernobyl were mostly caused by panic and overreaction—as at Fukushima. As many as 200,000 healthy babies were aborted in Western Europe because of unwarranted fear.
According to Simplicius, “we should not ignore the fact that it doesn’t matter how bad the disaster actually is, the West will ‘manufacture’ the scale which suits them.”
What should you do if ZNPP is attacked and there is a radiation “release”?
Insist on learning the actual dose and the unit of measure, not as a multiple of “normal,” and do not be deceived by apparently huge doses measured in tiny units (e.g., 100,000 microsieverts is the equivalent of about 10 rads—most people have no symptoms below 200 rads). Research the clinical significance—see the article on Fukushima linked above for a start. Do not panic.
Be aware of the massively greater risk from war. One consequence is shortages of essentials.
For suggestions on emergency medical items, see ddponline.org/medkit. Even without a hot war, we are experiencing shortages of common antibiotics. You might want to ask your doctor for prescriptions to have on hand, just in case, although you should use them only on qualified medical advice. Potassium iodide for keeping the thyroid from taking up radioactive iodine is available over the counter and at ki4u.com—which also offers radiation monitoring instruments.