It's called the Chernobyl Diaries and it's from the same stupid people that made a crap load of money off those stupid Paranormal Activity movies.
It's about some stupid young people who go to Europe and decide on the spur of the moment to do a tour of Chernobyl.
I thought this was impossible. I had watched a nature program last year about the wild life that is living inside the quarantine zone of the nuclear disaster that happened in 1986 and I was wondering how those people got in to do the filming.
I realized that the animals were all suffering from high levels of radiation exposure and they had said a lot of the species had some mutations as expected. But like I said, I was wondering how those people got on the property to do the special given that they were also being exposed to radiation that I wouldn't be willing to put myself through.
They clearly have gates and signs posted about trespassing as well as armed guards that keep most people out of the area. Although, I have recently discovered that some people still live in an area dangerously close to the reactor that blew and they are probably taking several years off their life by refusing to relocate....I guess the government let them choose and they chose to stay there.
So, here's an article on the topic I found helpful and interesting.
Overall, it says, do not go there without real knowledge of nuclear fallout and protective gear or without a tour guide. I say don't go there at all. I don't think we understand this situation well enough to expose yourself to something that is completely unnecessary.
I wouldn't go for anything.
There is no author to the article, but I got it from a website called
worldnomads.com
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Ukraine - Is It Safe To Travel To Chernobyl?
Sunday, 18 July 2010
For those around at the time and conscious of world events, the images from
the 1986 nuclear disaster in the Ukrainian city of Chernobyl are just as
memorable as the Challenger Space Disaster and 9/11.
The catastrophe was caused by an explosive meltdown due to an extreme power spike, and saw over 350,400 people evacuated from severely contaminated areas of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia.
Today, Chernobyl and it’s surrounds are a ghost-town – with only a few thousands souls brave enough to continue to live in the affected areas, which still suffer from extensive levels of radiation.
But it’s this very spookiness that has drawn some travellers to Ukraine to witness its breathtaking desolation.
Some readers might remember the photo-documentation of the area by Ukrainian photographer Elena Filatova. Her website, Kidd Of Speed, showed the eerie, apocalyptic landscape of post fall-out Chernobyl.
It’s not surprising that Elena’s photographs sparked interest in the region – but now that people want to go back to Chernobyl to see what has been left behind, and considering the dangers posed by the fallout, is it really worth the risk?
The Ukrainian government has permitted entry into the surrounding areas of Chernobyl, but with strict conditions.
To enter the 30km exclusion zone, you will need a day pass to enter – which can be obtained from several tour operators that have been established.
Certain areas, such as the ‘machine cemetery’ of Rossokha village, are forbidden to enter under government restrictions. Obviously, areas marked as radioactive, or forbidden entry zones, are exactly that. You should stay well away from them – lest you wish to end up another Chernobyl statistic.
Basically, to go into the exclusion zone without either a) a tour operator or b) being a qualified nuclear fallout expert with your own equipment, is attempting suicide. The environment in relation to radiation levels in certain areas is extremely dynamic, and without proper measurement, you could be exposing yourself to deadly material.
Radiation is measured in Roentgens, and during a Chernobyl tour, the levels of exposure can range from 15 to 2-300 microroentgens p/h. A lethal dose of radiation is in the vicinity of 300-500 roentgens in an hour period. Outside of a tour, it’s impossible to gauge how much radiation you are being exposed to without professional equipment. Also, exposure to higher levels of radiation puts you at higher risk of having particles remain on your clothes. Sustained exposure to radiation is the greatest cause of contamination.
Another point to keep in mind, many of the abandoned buildings are covered in broken glass and debris, and the floor surfaces can be highly unstable. If you choose to travel inside the exclusion zone, make sure you wear rugged and protective covering, and keep your bare skin to a minimum.
(And given the bone chilling creepiness of some of the buildings, you might need to bring a second set of pants)
The catastrophe was caused by an explosive meltdown due to an extreme power spike, and saw over 350,400 people evacuated from severely contaminated areas of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia.
Today, Chernobyl and it’s surrounds are a ghost-town – with only a few thousands souls brave enough to continue to live in the affected areas, which still suffer from extensive levels of radiation.
But it’s this very spookiness that has drawn some travellers to Ukraine to witness its breathtaking desolation.
Some readers might remember the photo-documentation of the area by Ukrainian photographer Elena Filatova. Her website, Kidd Of Speed, showed the eerie, apocalyptic landscape of post fall-out Chernobyl.
It’s not surprising that Elena’s photographs sparked interest in the region – but now that people want to go back to Chernobyl to see what has been left behind, and considering the dangers posed by the fallout, is it really worth the risk?
Is it safe?
The Ukrainian government has permitted entry into the surrounding areas of Chernobyl, but with strict conditions.
To enter the 30km exclusion zone, you will need a day pass to enter – which can be obtained from several tour operators that have been established.
Certain areas, such as the ‘machine cemetery’ of Rossokha village, are forbidden to enter under government restrictions. Obviously, areas marked as radioactive, or forbidden entry zones, are exactly that. You should stay well away from them – lest you wish to end up another Chernobyl statistic.
Basically, to go into the exclusion zone without either a) a tour operator or b) being a qualified nuclear fallout expert with your own equipment, is attempting suicide. The environment in relation to radiation levels in certain areas is extremely dynamic, and without proper measurement, you could be exposing yourself to deadly material.
Radiation is measured in Roentgens, and during a Chernobyl tour, the levels of exposure can range from 15 to 2-300 microroentgens p/h. A lethal dose of radiation is in the vicinity of 300-500 roentgens in an hour period. Outside of a tour, it’s impossible to gauge how much radiation you are being exposed to without professional equipment. Also, exposure to higher levels of radiation puts you at higher risk of having particles remain on your clothes. Sustained exposure to radiation is the greatest cause of contamination.
Another point to keep in mind, many of the abandoned buildings are covered in broken glass and debris, and the floor surfaces can be highly unstable. If you choose to travel inside the exclusion zone, make sure you wear rugged and protective covering, and keep your bare skin to a minimum.
(And given the bone chilling creepiness of some of the buildings, you might need to bring a second set of pants)
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