Scientists have warned about the resumption of nuclear reactions at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. The scientific journal Science writes about this.
According to experts, in the mass of uranium fuel, which is buried deep in the reactor hall of the nuclear power plant, fission reactions have begun again. Chemist Neil Hayat likened it to embers in a charcoal grill.
Sensors track a growing number of neutrons escaping from a single inaccessible room, Anatoly Doroshenko of the Institute for Nuclear Power Plant Safety (IPPPES) in Kiev said last week. This indicates a fission reaction, the specialist noted.
A scientist from the same institute, Maxim Savelyev, did not rule out the possibility of an accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. He noted that those responsible for managing the situation have several years to cope with the threat.
Yuri Vakarin, an engineer at the laboratory for radiometric spectrometric studies of humans and the environment, had died earlier. The man's body was found in his apartment in the northwest of the capital. He was 91 years old. After the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Vakarin took an active part in eliminating its consequences. The engineer took part in the development of the so-called “portable SICH installations” – the Human Radiation Counter.
