sbs program tonight, page-12

re: sbs program: link to major report Yes you could get your facts straight from the Uranium Industry Council if you don't trust the World Health Organization:

"The Chernobyl accident in 1986 was the result of a flawed reactor design that was operated with inadequately trained personnel and without proper regard for safety."

Its obvious that it was a flawed design in hindsight. Still Soviet nuclear scientists and engineers were as advanced as any in the US so what does that say about potentially flawed designs in elsewhere? This reactor operated for years without melting down - then one day it did.

"The resulting steam explosion and fire released at least five percent of the radioactive reactor core into the atmosphere and downwind."

How is this good?

"28 people died within four months from radiation or thermal burns, 19 have subsequently died, and there have been around nine deaths from thyroid cancer apparently due to the accident: total 56 fatalities as of 2004."

The count so far. As most of these cancers take 20 years to become evident most deaths are yet to occur (they should start showing up in next few years). 4000 according to the World Health Authority.

"An authoritative UN report in 2000 concluded that there is no scientific evidence of any significant radiation-related health effects to most people exposed. This was confirmed in a very thorough 2005 study."

Sure most of the 600,000 people exposed only received minor doses of radiation and won't die from it. However about 4,000 of them will - and many more suffer radiation related illness.