The fear that the destroyed Chernobyl reactor could collapse and cause a new leak of deadly radiation has prompted the European agencies to seek new funding the construction of the new wide protection that encapsulate the site. As the 25th anniversary of the worst nuclear accident in history approaches, the lack of funding is around EUR 740 million for all projects to secure the crash site.
The new sarcophagus over the destroyed reactor was funded by the European Union and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in cooperation with the Ukrainian government, but officials del'UE underline the urgent need of money and a greater commitment by donor countries. It is hoped that the conference of April, the anniversary of the disaster can trigger a new flow of funds missing.
Joulie Jean-Paul, head of Nuclear Safety EU, said during a visit to the crash site last week that Europe has contributed about 500 million euros to various projects Chernobyl, more than half the money needed to build a new sarcophagus. The alliance hopes that individual European countries and Russia, can donate more money to the project.
In recent years, the current structure covering the destroyed reactor in 1986, has become extremely unstable. Experts say that if it were to sell a quantity of radiation released into the atmosphere could be catastrophic. The work of "fallback" and stabilization on one of the walls of the sarcophagus has reduced the probability of failure and decreased the risks for the next 15 years, but this may not be sufficient to avoid further disaster.
"Even after stabilization activity, there is still a potential risk of partial or total collapse of the protection. Only when we have the new structure could be said to be safe " says Laurin Dodd, chairman of the Implementation Plan of the new sarcophagus at Chernobyl.
The new sarcophagus will be the largest movable structure ever built, and one of the largest complex in the world, with over 108 meters, 257 meters long and 164 wide. When completed, it will be done "slip" with rails to completely cover the destroyed reactor.
Dodd then said that once the New Shelter will be completed, work will begin dismantling the equipment on the at the site with the help of automated technologies. According to him, human intervention will be minimized, but admitted that the workers on the site may still be subjected to dangerous doses of radiation. The new sarcophagus is designed to secure the site for at least 100 years.
Source: www.indipendent.co.uk , February 28, 2011; Translation: Project Humus
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