A brief History of Nuclear Disasters: Prevention, Consequences and Re-coverage

Abstract

After an introduction on the discovery of nuclear fission in the 1930s and the applications of this then unknown new energy source, the possible consequences of nuclear accidents and disasters on man and the environment are discussed. The paper focusses in particular on the question how to avoid such accidents, and how their impact on human health and environment could be limited or reduced. Special emphasis is made on the need for improvement of nuclear safety and security and the importance of the human factor, as most of technological accidents are due to human failure.