Actions are finally being taken to contain nuclear radiation still present at the site of the world’s worst nuclear power catastrophe to date. A metal, shield-like structure known as the New Safe Confinement is slowly making its way towards the Chernobyl nuclear disaster site, a location that could account for more than 90,000 radiation related deaths in the area. The 30th anniversary of the disaster passed in April of this year, according to BBC.
A time lapse video of the shield being moved into position was released recently by BBC. The “shield” is so massive, the video documents only yards of movement. The project cost 1.3 billion euros, or about 1.6 billion United States Dollars. The shield is 900 feet wide and 354 feet tall, and it weighs a staggering 36,000 tons. The feat is being described as one of the best engineering projects of its time because of the circumstances surrounding the Chernobyl disaster site. The remains of nuclear reactor four at the Chernobyl site is still unapproachable due to the dangerous radiation present. The massive design therefore had to also be movable, so that it could be assembled elsewhere and then placed over the remains of the reactor. The design utilizes hydraulic jacks that slide it along a track, leading to the disaster site.
The container will reach the Chernobyl disaster site in five days. After the design is moved into place, work will begin to safely dismantle the existing “sarcophagus” and reactor remains that are currently at the site. The shield will prevent the emission of any remaining radioactive material into the air, eliminating the possibility of additional individuals being harmed from the site.
The remains of the Chernobyl site are a constant reminder of the dangers that advances in technology pose to the world’s population. One single catastrophe took three decades to address, and was the potential cause of death for nearly a hundred thousand individuals. On the contrary, we as a society have developed a resilient attitude towards any negative events that take place. The New Safe Confinement system demonstrates yet another hurdle that the human race has confronted and overcome. The technological advancements of our time are both promising and amazing, as the limitations to our problem solving abilities are resolved over time.
