A fire at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (NPP) broke out after fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces broke out, putting the local area and surrounding countries at risk of significant radiation exposure if a meltdown occurred.
It is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, 10th largest in the world and is located in the Southeast Ukraine city of Enerhodar.
According to Reuters, “background levels of radiation had not changed. Radiation security had been secured, the plant’s director told Ukraine 24 TV.”
Andrii Tuz, a spokesperson for the Zapporizhzhia NPP states, however, “any moment this may result in a nuclear accident”, as “Units 1 and 2” have been damaged in the shooting.
Firefighters have been able to put out the fire.
An updated report said the fire occurred in an “administration building”.
Power outages have been reported. Any loss of power could prevent the cooling of the reactors.
This is a developing story…..
What would be the health risks of radiation leakage?
When determining health risks we look at what resulted from other nuclear disasters. With the 1986 Chernobyl accident, for example, The World Nuclear Association (WNA) reports:
Out of the 134 severely exposed workers and firemen, 28 of the most heavily exposed died as a result of acute radiation syndrome (ARS) within three months of the accident.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “the number of deaths in Russian emergency workers attributable to radiation caused by solid neoplasms and circulatory system diseases can be estimated to be about 116 and 100 cases respectively.” They continue, “the number of leukemia cases attributable to radiation in this cohort can be estimated to be about 30.”
WNA did however say:
There has been no increase attributable to Chernobyl in congenital abnormalities, adverse pregnancy outcomes or any other radiation-induced disease in the general population either in the contaminated areas or further afield.
Thyroid cancer cases however were increased in surrounding countries in the aftermath, with one study diagnosing 6 of 100,000 screened in a Turkish population (Acar, et al.)
What about potassium iodide tablets?
These tablets help protect your thyroid from taking up radioactive iodine, as they saturate the organ. It’s an inexpensive pill that will protect one against thyroid cancer but not the other medical sequelae of nuclear exposure such as bone marrow injury and skin irritation.
Per the FDA, CDC and NY Department of health, potassium iodide (KI) dosing is taking once but may need to be repeated in 24 hours if advised by local health departments.
Dr. Daliah 
Leave a comment