Chornobyl exclusion zone: current status and challenges.

Abstract

Comparisons of the large nuclear accidents that occurred at the nuclear power plants in Chornobyl and Fukushima usually focus on the emission of radionuclides, the contamination area, doses to the public and liquidation workers, etc. However, little attention has been paid to various factors that affect decisions regarding the future development of these territories, such as the sociopolitical and economic situation in the countries during the accident and at the present time, the density and structure of the population, climate change, media coverage, and accessibility of information to the public. This article attempts to discuss the above factors, speculates about the paths for future development of both exclusion zones, and suggests the most promising areas for joint research in the future.