Social, Economic & Political Consequences Of Chernobyl

· Control measures limit industrial and agricultural activities reducing the range of products the area was able to export. This would have lead to a fall in local incomes. Furthermore reduced investment occurs due to a perception of an unsafe “lifestyle” within affected areas.

· Following the accident 116,000 people had to be evacuated and between 1990 and 1995 an additional 210,000 people were resettled. This created a need to build a new town named Slavutich for the personnel of the Chernobyl power plant.

· Villages had to be decontaminated and major work had to be carried out on infrastructure for example water and gas. The closure of Reactor 4 and the “freeze” on construction of new reactors reduced the availability of electricity supplies.

· Demographic indications in 'contaminated' areas suggest that these areas are experiencing a decline as:

o The birth rate has decreased

o The work force has migrated from contaminated areas to uncontaminated areas thus in turn resulting in a shortage of labour and professional staff.

· The effected areas suffered major disruption to normal life and economic activity in particular with regard to agriculture and forestry production.

· $12.8 Billon of disruption occurred to the Soviet Economy.

· A “victim” mentality has occurred in the area due restrictions of activities making life difficult and unsettling.