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Most Devastating Environmental Disaster

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Most Devastating Environmental Disaster
The purpose of this report is to find out of three environmental disasters, which one was the most devastating to humans and the environment. This report is intended to be read by the United Nations to help make an important decision regarding what pollution event should be classified as the world’s most devastating.
Key terms essential to an understanding of this report have been defined as follows: * TORCH – The Other Chernobyl Report * Methyl Isocyanate – A toxic chemical used in the manufacture of some pesticides
Research for this report was conducted using information obtained from the following sources: * The internet * Information provided in class
Research conducted shows that the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant explosion in Ukraine, which occurred on the 26th of April 1986, continues to be the most devastating environmental disaster. It was the most devastating because out of the disasters chosen this had the most deaths and effects on the environment, continuing today.It caused the most deaths both immediate and cancer related. It spread across vast parts of the western Soviet Union and Europe. It caused hundreds of thousands of people to be relocated from their homes in severely contaminated areas.1 This human caused pollution event was unable to be contained, being in the atmosphere and spread over vast distances. After 26 years the area around the site is still a severe health hazard.2The World Health Organization estimates the immediate death toll at 4,000. Estimates for premature cancer deaths caused by the accident vary. The TORCH Report written by over a hundred experts from the World Health Organization, the International Atomic Energy agency, United Nations Developmental Program, other UN bodies, also government officials from Belarus, Russia and Ukraine estimates a massive 300 000 – 600 000 deaths.3 Greenpeace reports 200 000 deaths.4 According to the World Health Organization radiation doses to the cleanup workers in one

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    References: Chernobyl | Nuclear Reaction | FRONTLINE | PBS. (n.d.). PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Retrieved October 23, 2012, from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/reaction/readings/chernobyl.html…

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