How Wales fell victim to Chernobyl disaster
LIVESTOCK FARMING DEVASTATED AND NUCLEAR LEAK FEARS AT WYLFA
THE Chernobyl disaster was the world’s worst nuclear accident.
The energy plant put the remote Ukranian town of Pripyat on the map, but at the same time consigned it to oblivion.
It was completely abandoned after radiation pollution left it not fit for human habitation.
The impact of Chernobyl - currently the subject of a major HBO TV series starring Mark Lewis Jones, from Rhosllanerchrugog – was felt worldwide. And it had devastating consequences for North Wales – consequences still being felt to this day.
Despite being over 2,000 miles away, North Wales was directly affected by the huge blast of radioactive particles released into the air following the Chernobyl disaster.
The most significant way this impacted on the region was the effect it had on livestock, primarily in north western areas.
Radiation plumes that blew across Europe in the days after the April 1986 catastrophe reached upland farms of over 53,000 hectares – with the impact lasting for more than 20 years.
Just days after the Ukrainian disaster, the UK Government announced a ban on the sale of sheep across parts of the region as well as in Cumbria and Scotland – as the enormity of the problem for farmers became apparent.
The protocol was motivated by heavy rain following the explosion, which washed radioactive decay – mostly caesium 137 – out of clouds and on to fields all across the continent.
And because of the nature of soil in North Wales, the radioactive particles were absorbed by plants - rather than being locked up in the soil itself.
Local sheep grazing on the land then became contaminated by eating the radioactive grass, with restrictions affecting 180,000 sheep.
The restrictions in Snowdonia and beyond – which remained in some areas until 2012 – were imposed on more than 300 Welsh farms following concern for the caesium in soil and vegetation in upland areas.
Farmer Glyn Roberts from Ysbyty Ifan explained: “I remember watching the disaster happen on the television but we never had any idea that the rain that was falling on us in the days after the disaster would affect us as well.”
Sales of affected lambs started again in September 1986, following the introduction of radiation level checks, though Mr Roberts said the incident had already “push[ed] some farms to the brink.”
The UK Government’s response to the crisis has since been criticised as
“shambolic.”
And although concerns have since been reduced, scientists at Bangor University explained that radiation remains in the ecological system.
Sheep are gradually taking the radiation out of the system, though “the public risk is [already] very very low,” explained David Jones, professor of Environmental Sciences at Bangor University.
Aside from the impact on livestock in the region, the infamous nuclear disaster also made its mark on power stations in North Wales.
Back in 1986, the region was home to two nuclear power stations - Trawsfynydd near Blaenau Ffestiniog and Wylfa on Anglesey’s north coast – with attention inevitably turning to these facilities following the Chernobyl disaster.
Indications of increased radioactivity in the local atmosphere was reported by staff at the Wylfa site, when alarms were triggered by workers going into the plant.
Despite concerns that the plant was experiencing a leak, the alarm had actually been triggered by three people who brought the radiation onto the site from the atmosphere outside.
Specialist equipment confirmed the raised radiation levels, which was identified as coming from eastern Europe – likely attributable to rainfall. A spokesperson for the plant later commented: “There was no great danger to anybody, though we are a bit aggrieved as we kept our own reactors clean”.
Both power stations have since come to the end of their life and been shut down and plans for a replacement, Wylfa Newydd, have been put on hold.
There are also ties to North Wales at the affected power station in Ukraine itself, with a Wrexham company having played a key role in the construction of a giant shield to stop subsequent radiation leaks.
Half a million bolts supplied by Tension Control Bolts (TCB) were used in the massive New Safe Confinement - an effort to contain the former Ukraine power plant.
The aim of the shield is to prevent additional leaks, whilst also allowing the old structure to be demolished with completion dates continually pushed back.
The project was officially completed last month, following a successful 72-hour trial operation test on the eve of the nuclear disaster’s 33rd anniversary.
■ Chernobyl has been airing on Sky Atlantic.