Reflections on the Chernobyl accident and the future of nuclear power

Important lessons have been learned from studying the Chernobyl accident. Perhaps the most important of these is the reassurance that nuclear power can be a safe form of energy, if the power plant is operated safely. Nuclear power is a mature industry with an impressive safety record spanning 38 years [4]. Worldwide, power plants have accumulated more than 10,000 reactor-years of safe operation, and new reactors are being designed to be even safer [3,4]. The underground mining and rail transport of coal for combustion is estimated to cause about 280 illnesses and injuries and 18 deaths per gigawatt-year (Gwy). In comparison, the use of uranium fuel in nuclear power (mining, processing, transporting, and burning) is estimated to cause 17 cases of illness and injuries and one death per Gwy [4]. Therefore, from a health-risk perspective, nuclear power presents a significant and safer option for current and future sources of energy.