S3 Ep 6. Chernobyl: Bees, bras and banana science
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We end season 3 with a bang of apocalypse proportions, the hit TV show Chernobyl. What were the consequences of that fateful day in 1986? How accurate was the portrayal of the nuclear disaster in the TV show Chernobyl? And what has that got to do with bees, bras and bananas?
The atom is a humbling thing. We investigate the impact of the explosion of the local environment, both then and now and debunk common myths about radioactivity.
Did you know mould found at the Chernobyl reactor site has been taken to the International Space Station? Or that bananas are radioactive? Find out more in our explosive season finale.
Oh and by the way, if you are thinking one of those bras might come in handy you can buy them here: EBbra
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Meet our guest
Paul Norman
Dr Paul Norman is a Reader in Nuclear Engineering and Reactor Physics at the University of Birmingham, and Director of the Birmingham Centre for Nuclear Education and Research. He has appeared several times on BBC's “The Politics Show” speaking about nuclear power, and has had many radio appearances and publications in physics and engineering magazines, as well as a couple of articles in “The House” magazine (the magazine of the House of Lords and House of Commons). Who better to ask about nuclear power and the Chernobyl disaster?
T: @unibirmingham W: The Birmingham Centre for Nuclear Education and Research - University of Birmingham
Blogs
Episode References (if you fancy some extra reading)
Blakemore, E. (2019) The Chernobyl disaster: what happened, and the long-term impact. National Geographic. [20 May] Available from: Chernobyl: what happened, and the long-term impact | National Geographic
Burrows, J. (2019) Bumblebees exposed to Chernobyl-levels of radiation consume more nectar. Phys.org [online]. [12 Dec] Available from: Bumblebees exposed to Chernobyl-levels of radiation consume more nectar (phys.org)
EurekAlert! (2020) Crops near Chernobyl still contaminated. [17 Dec] Available from: Crops near Chernobyl still contaminated | EurekAlert! Science News
Explore (2021) Discover Chernobyl - Private tour. Available from: Discover Chernobyl Private Tour | Ukraine Private Tour - Explore
Gamillo, E. (2021) Chernobyl survivors do not pass mutations on to their children after all. Smithsonian magazine. [28 April]. Available from: Chernobyl Survivors Do Not Pass Excess Mutations on to Their Children After All | Smart News | Smithsonian Magazine
Green, S. (2019) Chernobyl: Unveiling the nuclear science behind the show’s elemental horror. IndieWire [online]. [13 May] Available from: Chernobyl: Episode 2 Explained Nuclear Physics, With and Without Words | IndieWire
Griswold, A. (2014) How radioactive dating is used to authenticate wine. Moneybox [online]. [26 Jun] Available from: Radioactive dating for wine: Science meets fine foods. (slate.com)
Helmenstine, A. (2019) Why is the water blue in a nuclear reactor? Cherenkov radiation. ThoughtCo [online]. [22 Jan] Available from: Why the Water in a Nuclear Reactor Glows Blue (thoughtco.com)
History vs Hollywood (NA) Chernobyl (2019). Available from: How Accurate is Chernobyl? True Story is Far Cry from HBO Miniseries (historyvshollywood.com)
Kingsley, J. (2021) Life goes on at Chernobyl 35 years after the world’s worst nuclear accident. National Geographic. [26 Apr]
Klein, A. Mould from Chernobyl nuclear reactor tested as radiation shield on ISS. New Scientist. [24 July] Available from: Mould from Chernobyl nuclear reactor tested as radiation shield on ISS | New Scientist
Labunska, I., Levchuk, S., Kashparov, V., et al. (2021). Current radiological situation in areas of Ukraine contaminated by the Chornobyl accident: Part 2. Strontium-90 transfer to culinary grains and forest woods from soils of Ivankiv district. Environment International. 117, pp.250-259
Lenzer, J. (2009) Hot-pink bras, cracked knuckles, and bar room brawls are winners at the Ig Nobel awards. BMJ. 339, p.829
Martin P. and Scott, T. (2019) Glimpsing Chernobyl’s hidden hotspots. Physics World. [3 Sept] Available from: Glimpsing Chernobyl’s hidden hotspots – Physics World
Munroe, R. (2011) Radiation dose chart. xkcd [online] Available from: https://xkcd.com/radiation/
Steinhauser, G., Brandl, A., & Johnson, T. E. (2014). Comparison of the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear accidents: a review of the environmental impacts. Science of the total environment. 470, pp.800-817.
Wikipedia (2021) Banana equivalent dose. Available from: Banana equivalent dose - Wikipedia
Wikipedia (2021) Cherenkov Radiation. Available from: Cherenkov radiation - Wikipedia
Yeager, M., Machiela, M., Kothiyal, P. et al. (2021) Lack of transgeneration effects of ionizing radiation exposure from the Chernobyl accident. Science. 372(6543), pp.725-729