The Causes and Impacts of Three Major Nuclear Accidents

Abstract: This paper critically reviews the root causes and impacts of three significant accidents at large civilian nuclear power plants: the Three Mile Island accident in 1979, the Chernobyl accident in 1986, and the Fukushima Daiichi accident in 2011. The analysis encompasses health effects, evacuation measures in contaminated areas, cost estimates, and the repercussions on energy policies and nuclear safety initiatives across different countries. The study concludes that primary objectives for reactor safety work must prioritize preventing accidents from progressing into severe core damage, even when triggered by extremely improbable events, while also acknowledging the possibility of such accidents occurring.    Additionally, efforts should focus on limiting releases of radioactive nuclides, such as cesium, to minimize large-scale and long-lasting ground contamination to less than approximately 100 TBq. The paper underscores the crucial role of maintaining high global standards of safety management and safety culture to achieve these objectives. It highlights that all three accidents discussed herein stemmed from systemic deficiencies indicative of inadequate safety management and culture within both the nuclear industry and governmental authorities.