From Napromieniowani.pl
A tawny owl photographed in the window of an abandoned building in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. This is the most numerous owl species in Europe. The difference is that in Chernobyl, as in a reserve, no one disturbs them.
Photo: Olena Gryszczenko
Source: Chernobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve
Seems like a dangerous photo to take (because of the radiation, not the owl)
Scientists, not ones to waste anything, have found tons of things to study in the huge contaminated area, so danger zones are very well documented as they study the residual contamination and its effects.
There were tours anyone could take up until the war in Ukraine. One tour website stated there were 8 safe routes to explore with a licensed guide. The radiation exposure of the tour area for the permitted duration was said to be the same as a long flight. The main guidelines said don’t touch or eat anything and to preferably wear disposable clothing and footwear to avoid prolonged contact from anything potentially carried out with you.
If you are curious, radiation levels are always available here, as long as I could pay for hosting
Are you able to put that rad level into context?
20uR/h is typical value for air in big city like Moscow when air quality is really bad. I usually get 10-ish in central Finland. You can choose another location in this network and compare. If you see obvious anomalies, it might very well be an equipment error - these things are really unmanned for decades, and some are quite unreachable. The one I have in my hands got a battery frozen, for example, so I took it home to thaw and it’s showing indoors temperature for the last month or so, which is silly 40-50C off, I don’t have time to take it apart properly and do the change, it’s just watching my lazy ass typing this stuff from a pile of broken electronics.
Thank you! I didn’t notice the drop down menu earlier.
These days, the radiation is dangerous on the long term exposure level, not short term
IIRC it’s not that dangerous, especially if you’re at least a bit careful
For more about the area:
Chernobyl Exclusion Zone Wikipedia
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and Russian invasion there were many visitors to the Exclusion Zone annually, and daily tours from Kyiv. In addition, multiple-day excursions can be easily arranged with Ukrainian tour operators. Most overnight tourists stay in a hotel within the town of Chernobyl, which is located within the Exclusion Zone. According to an exclusion area tour guide, as of 2017, there are approximately 50 licensed exclusion area tour guides in total, working for approximately nine companies. Visitors must present their passports when entering the Exclusion Zone and are screened for radiation when exiting, both at the 10 km checkpoint and at the 30 km checkpoint.
Some brief articles:
Chernobyl, nature’s laboratory
How Chernobyl has become an unexpected haven for wildlife
Wow Nature - The Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve
Safety rules during visiting the exclusion zone:
- Moving around the territory outside the regulated route is dangerous since there are radioactive spots and wild animals.
- Smoking is the main reason for fires in the exclusion zone.
- Abandoned property on the territory of the exclusion zone can emit radiation, therefore you should not touch them or take them with you.
- It is prohibited to sit or put your stuff on the ground, stay overnight in tents or have picnics. The ground in the exclusion zone is affected by radioactive contamination to the utmost.
- Do not eat vegetables, fruits or mushrooms that grow in the exclusion zone. The local harvest can be radioactive.
- It is prohibited to eat or drink in the open air. Radionuclides together with dust can accumulate on your food and get inside your body.
- Visitors of the exclusion zone and the Chornobyl Reserve cannot be in a state of alcoholic intoxication, since it is necessary to assess the situation properly and strictly follow the instructions of the attendant, wear the clothes and shoes that cover the body as much as possible.
Polesia - Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve
