The Chernobyl power complex is located a little over sixty miles north of Kiev, on the Pripyat River in the western Soviet Union. When the power complex exploded on April 26, 1986 it left an area the size of New York State uninhabitable and forced a city of 42,000 people to be abandoned for the next 500 years. Although, the Soviet Union admitted to only thirty-one deaths caused immediately after the explosion, the country eventually admitted to 224 other deaths. (Cheney 5) However, the actual death toll is probably more around several thousand and in the next few years may reach tens of thousands. In addition to the death toll, the health issues caused by the explosion range from decreased general health to an immune deficiency syndrome very similar to the AIDS virus. Due to the severe radiation, the grounds have been contaminated in many areas causing a lack of good farming soil. Countless numbers of animals were contaminated causing lack of meats, and dairy products. The effects discussed in this paper are endless and consist of only the effects that have emerged now. In the next ten years many more cases of cancer and other diseases are expected to surface as a result of the explosion. (Cheney 5)
             The Chernobyl power complex used Uranium 235 (which is the only atom found in nature that can support a nuclear chain reaction) to create their nuclear energy. When a great amount of Uranium 235 starts a chain reaction, it can happen so fast that it causes an instant explosion. However, when this reaction is slowed and the energy produced by fission is monitored and released gradually it's called controlled fission, which was used in the Chernobyl power complex. (Medvedev Z 5)
             Every year the Chernobyl power complex runs a test to verify that all the safety features are functioning correctly. On April 25, 1986 the test was to commence. At 1:00 PM April 25, the reduction of power from Reactor Four was ordered. (Medvedev G 65)...