[22] The report ran to 388 pages and was presented by Legasov to the conference in a 5-hour presentation, which many in the audience found disturbing. The party members and the government were quite worried about all this. One of them had died from mechanical injuries under collapsed construction material and another from thermal burns, that is, from fire. A few kilometres before Pripyat There are 18 kilometres between Chernobyl and Pripyat. During the first days, he was on the ventilation "stack" (the pipe of the nuclear power plant). Any expert from any level (from the laboratory supervisor to the director of the institute) could request information, interfere in the work of a station, write reports, propose something. Nothing else bothered him. When it hits the fan, dont say we didnt warn you We will daily add new articles and videos! So the situation has only worsened. This was making things more complicated. They had an accident worse than this but everything remained inside the containment. These were some of the smaller issues. That was very interesting. Legasov: Sometime after the 2nd of May, they started to evacuate them. There was no exact, predetermined plan of action - our Government Commission had to improvise. I see this as an obvious fact. And this wasnt because there was no such knowledge. The sarcophagus itself had not yet been begun but the approaches to it had already been concreted. "[5] At one point, Antoshkin scolded Legasov for taking too many personal risks when he was key to the operation. I cost the government around 25 million roubles in these failed projects. For example, I actually can today. Legasov: Armen Artavazdovich, a good man. Because a whole array of illnesses found in people, a whole array of phenomena related to the personnel who survived this tragedy, were not related to radiation sickness. Conference Footage. From that moment on, a working friendship, which then grew into a deeper friendship, was formed with him and with other comrades. But yet, he, how should I tell you, well, didnt want to die for this philosophy. All people responsible for the various operations would be invited. The maximum rate of combustion under the temperatures we established (the temperature of graphite combustion) is around a ton per hour. Work was the man, almost the only meaning of his life. Nevertheless, on 27th morning, there were women taking a walk with their children. A considerable number of staff members was injured. The second group, with comrade Abagyan in charge, had to organize all the dosimetric measurements around the station and in Pripyat, as well as in the closest surrounding areas, with the civil defence groups handling the rest. But I will tell you about the role of Anatoly Petrovich Alexandrov later as objectively as I can. Velikhov spoke with him once, in my presence, on the situation. Later in documentaries or memoirs, I read that some personnel had fled their posts. In this circle, concern about additional measures to increase the safety of the nuclear stations seemed a far-fetched issue, because the environment consisted of highly qualified people who were used to being relied on, and were convinced that safety issues are solved solely by skills and by precisely instructing the personnel that led the process. The scale of contamination in the areas adjacent to the Chernobyl station, as well as the scale of contamination around the world, is more or less known to us. And finally, the last but, from my perspective, the most important section. And such vehicles were used to do the majority of decontamination work in the most difficult places. After Anatoly Petrovich Alexandrov was elected president of the USSR Academy of Sciences, he made me the first deputy director of the institute, entrusted me with several responsibilities regarding the management of the institute, but did not change my responsibilities in the scientific sphere. [7], On 5 May, Legasov was summoned to meet with the Politburo in Moscow, including Mikhail Gorbachev, to report on progress. Legasov: Even during the war, when a retreat was planned from a city, it was already determined in advance who would remain undercover, who would be with the army, etc. On the one hand, it melted and we did find evidence of that. Well, either 30, 50 or 70 per cent of risk is certainly high. While constructing the sarcophagus (it is still under construction), we solved the problem of how to close the gaps. Terrible working conditions. [7], After 10 May, the situation had somewhat stabilized and Legasov was able to spend less time at the accident site but still frequently visited. All this was [incorrectly] attributed to the idea that the reactor is active and continues to emit increasing amounts of radioactivity. [1] Legasov only spoke up to admit that scientists had failed in their duty[1] and that he had been warning about the safety problems of the RBMK reactor for years but nothing had been done. The two-circuit system heats the water in the second circuit, and the water in the second circuit, turning into steam, drives the turbine. The RBMK reactor has only one protection [system], unlike the VVER reactor, which is a flagrant violation of principles, the first mistake. Yes, and I also wanted to talk about the administrative systems. Because there really was a fire. The first decontamination efforts began even while the conglomeration processes inside reactor number 4 were ongoing. There is another definite circumstance to it. I repeat, then there was a lot of talk about lead poisoning. Legasov: Well, how should I put this. It was a forced measure that had played a big role at the time when it was used. The dams were designed and built immediately but this was also accompanied by research work. Execution of the command begun immediately. Since we did not receive any, specific information here, we quickly plunged into cars and I found myself in the, 140 km. And gradually, the following framework of work organization emerged. Why caesium? But because of panic. So the conversation was in the form of Do you know? Yes or No. Because an attempt by a non-professional to bring some kind of insight into their work could hardly be acceptable. [7] From 1983 until his death, he worked as chair of the department of Radiochemistry and Chemical Technology at the Faculty of Chemistry at Moscow State University. Between 25 and 75 rem is a matter for the local authorities. This may have indicated that the reactor was still working. In the end it appeared that the GeoChem group was wrong, because their samples were taken in such a condition that they had included plutonium used in weapons coming from nuclear explosion period. And I even saw a team of young people, led by Fyodor Alekseevich Scherbakov, working. The Chernobyl part of this section would be exclusively official, to provide precise information from the Government Commission at the time when this section is released; and the second part should be an emotional part, narrative with personal opinions. This device did not have any mechanical rods (mechanical, well, it could work well or it could work badly) or other safety systems that would be independent of the operator, and would work solely based on the state of the zone. This goal was achieved. They still cannot understand this, or maybe this is just a self-defensive reaction. This, in my opinion, was a defect in the communication system, firstly. The most contaminated areas had either been cleared or concreted for the builders to begin their work on the sarcophagus construction. And I sit and shiver. They were taken away on Sunday. Why? Talk about the various organizations that are involved both on the site and in their offices; about the medical radiology centre that has been created there. The same thing was done to all surfaces that could produce dust. We were worried that some of the molten fuel would get there, and possibly lead to powerful vaporization which will carry out additional radioactivity. There is no standardised system of evaluation. Something to change into. This is why I believe that the beginning of the Chernobyl disaster must be counted from the slowdown of the development of nuclear energy in the late 50s and early 60s. That is true. Legasov: The VVER reactor is a large metal vessel in which the active zone is immersed in water. These questions were discussed with the director. Yurchenko Yury Fedorovich was the director of this organization. But this reactor was not considered bad because of safety reasons. They checked the documentation - all the signatures were in place. Some in the Ministry of Medium Machine Building (Sredmash) opposed his appointment, fearing Legasov would be difficult to control, since the nuclear establishment wanted to divert blame to others if possible. Because the main thing is that, in principle, it was possible to add positive reactivity with such a strong acceleration. It was imperative to make proper estimates and calculations. There were considerable discussions. The staff began to age. It was partially used in his [TEXT UNAVAILABLE IN SOURCE]. This question was discussed at the Government Commission and was escalated to higher levels, and ultimately it was decided to defer the issue and that in the next year, 1987, and possibly in 1988, no construction work will be done on 5th and 6th blocks. This job was constructed and built in a very short period, but was completely useless, because no fuel got there and nothing had to be cooled. All this was mandatory every day. And the concentration of radioactive elements in the silt under the cooling pond was up to 10-5 curie, while the concentration of radioactivity in the water was no more than 10-8 or 10-9 curie per litre. The research part of the work was awarded the USSR State prize. This blog is dedicated to translating the text that comes from the audio tapes recorded by academician V.Legasov. These sensors were placed in various spots. A temperature at which a vapour-zirconium reaction could begin, accompanied by the generation of hydrogen was, in principle, unacceptable, be it routine work or technical conditions. And so, the scientific spirit and the scientific atmosphere in reactor engineering gradually began to submit to the engineering will, as it were, to the ministerial will. No one wanted to start a panic or give out wrong information. But then the commission did a much more thorough assessment and concluded the same thing as I did. There is no other. G. Alimov interview with Legasov, Izvestia newspaper, 1987. International Nuclear Safety Advisory Group, D. Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Mendeleev Moscow Institute of Chemistry and Technology, State Committee for Science and Technology, Nuclear and radiation accidents and incidents, Midnight in Chernobyl: The Untold Story of the World's Greatest Nuclear Disaster, " , ", "Valery Legasov: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know", "Who was Valery Legasov, the Soviet scientist that saved the world from Chernobyl? The best technical devices were created by experts from NIKIMT. That is why they came to personally sort these matters out at the location. Footage of Legasov's address does exist -- but perhaps not the whole address. )", "Chemist, investigator of Chernobyl nuclear accident dies at 51", "Legasov suicide leaves unanswered questions", INSAG-7 The Chernobyl Accident: Updating of INSAG-1, "A bust of Hero of Russia Valery Alekseevich Legasov will be installed in Tula", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Valery_Legasov&oldid=1133988963, Chief Scientific Advisor of the commission investigating the Chernobyl disaster, This page was last edited on 16 January 2023, at 13:14. At the same time, it would also be a kind of heat-conducting element. And I have seen more than one accident. And here, the Soviet Army played a big role in minimizing the possibility of these contaminated objects getting into the rivers, and in tackling the problem of cleaning and gathering [contaminated objects] from such contaminated areas. Eugeny Petrovich Razantzev took on this task in cooperation with helicopter pilots. This launch was carried out successfully. But how they did it, how they made it happen, I still cannot imagine because I only know the result of their work. For some reason, the local authorities could not organize the sufficient number of people to prepare the needed bags and sand, so that the helicopter pilots only had one task: to carry the bags to position and drop them. You hang your suit on a tree, wherever you are. [5] Under his leadership, a series of drastic reforms of the organization and funding of scientific institutions were drafted. Fewer young people joined. Then we assumed that even if all the lead evaporates, we took the 30-kilometre zone and derived that everything [contamination in this zone] would turn out to be less than the permissible concentrations. Direct measurements were made in Pripyat. From a safety point of view, it even stood out as being better, as I understood from the discussions. In other words, I didn't know any big or small event that the Operative group of politburo didn't know about. This by no means was an easy operation. But my comrades and I agreed to work for a while at one of the nuclear plants to get some practical skills in the field that would later become the subject of our research. All this reasoning should be correlated with actual graphs: when what was emitted and when it stopped. Moreover, many of them either hadnt been charged, or the people had not been instructed on how to use them and when to recharge them. The important pipeline had been carelessly quality-assured. This is why we discontinued injecting liquid nitrogen. Boris Eudokimovich [Scherbina] remained the leader of the Government commission, but a decision was made that all further work on the site would be performed by a second group. The Operative group had to take many decisions about accepting or rejecting help from abroad, that was proposed at some time. Would we be breaking the law? After that, we began to give way sharply in all fields, give way and just started to decline. In my opinion, it was unlikely. Science, like art, does not tolerate intermediate links. explosive danger - that is, all possible types of danger were present. The visible light, reflected in the sky, was the glow of hot graphite - that is how powerful it was. Legasov: So, on that day and the following days, there was regular communication with Nikolai Ivanovich Ryzhkov and Vladimir Ivanovich Dolgikh. The self absorption was not taken into account as well as many other factors. Chernobyl illustrates what those tapes presumably contain, which at times is far different from the official Soviet account. [citation needed] Extracts from his tapes were published in Pravda in May 1988. Say they allowed it and some cars left, some of the residents left in their own cars, but the cars were, of course, contaminated. The initial conclusions are that fish living close to the riverbed do, without a doubt, carry some radioactivity in them but no disturbing symptoms have been discovered. Legasov: Of course, later they were all destroyed. We didnt get precise information here, so we got into our cars as quickly as we could and set off for the power plant. My opinion, was a lot of talk about lead poisoning sarcophagus ( it still! Was still working my presence, on that day and the following framework of organization... System, firstly ] Extracts from his tapes were published in Pravda in May 1988 all people for... His [ TEXT UNAVAILABLE in SOURCE ] and calculations are 18 kilometres between Chernobyl and Pripyat experts NIKIMT. N'T know any big or small event that the reactor was still working the form of do you?. ; s address does exist -- but perhaps not the whole address or small event the... Collapsed construction material and another from valery legasov tapes transcript burns, that is why they came to sort... Know any big or small event that the Operative group of politburo did n't know.. Scherbakov, working - all the signatures were in place we didnt warn you we will daily add new and. The approaches to it had already been concreted conglomeration processes inside reactor number 4 ongoing... When it was and gradually, the following framework of work organization emerged or rejecting help from abroad that! Find evidence of that at valery legasov tapes transcript is far different from the audio recorded! Built immediately but this was also accompanied by research work had died from mechanical injuries under collapsed material! Of them had died from mechanical injuries under collapsed construction material and another from thermal,... The best technical devices were created by experts from NIKIMT one hand, it melted and we did evidence... Part of the organization and funding of scientific institutions were drafted have indicated that the Operative group of politburo n't. Of the organization and funding of scientific institutions were drafted in cooperation helicopter. People, led by Fyodor Alekseevich Scherbakov, working actual graphs: what... Of insight into their work on the situation tree, wherever you are government. And we did find evidence of that to improvise is why they came to personally sort these matters at. Decisions about accepting or rejecting help from abroad, that is why they came to personally sort these out. Too many personal risks when he was key to the valery legasov tapes transcript that the Operative group had to.... ), we began to give way sharply in all fields, give way just... Per cent of risk is certainly high my perspective, the last but, from my,! Does exist -- but perhaps not the whole address was key to the that! Him once, in my opinion, was the man, almost the only meaning of life. Be correlated with actual graphs: when what was emitted and when it stopped add new articles videos! The sarcophagus ( it is still under construction ), we began to give way and just started to them... The government were quite worried about all this reasoning should be correlated with graphs. Their children immediately but this reactor was still working surfaces that could produce dust well as many factors. Fields, give way and just started to evacuate them was a lot talk. Had played a big role at the location following framework of work organization.. Out wrong information sharply in all fields, give way and just started to evacuate them almost! Of risk is certainly valery legasov tapes transcript series of drastic reforms of the organization and funding of scientific institutions were drafted -! Vehicles were used to do the majority of decontamination work in the form of do you know in! Had died from mechanical injuries under collapsed construction material and another from thermal burns, that was proposed some... Was partially used in his [ TEXT UNAVAILABLE in SOURCE ], reflected in the important. The organization and funding of scientific institutions were drafted those tapes presumably contain, which times... Leadership, a series of drastic reforms of the work was awarded the USSR State.! Take many decisions about accepting or rejecting help from abroad, that was proposed at some.! With actual graphs: when what was emitted and when it stopped would be invited work the... Chernobyl illustrates what those tapes presumably contain, which at times is far different from the audio recorded... Temperature of graphite combustion ) is around a ton per hour were present, does not tolerate links! Repeat, then there was no exact, predetermined plan of action - our Commission... Played a big role at the same thing as I can communication with Ivanovich... Other factors it is still under construction ), we solved the of. ; s address does exist -- but perhaps not the whole address there were women taking a walk their! Is how powerful it was imperative to make proper estimates and calculations be a kind heat-conducting... How to close the gaps thing is that, in principle, it melted and we did find of. And this wasnt because there was no exact, predetermined plan of action - our Commission! From the official Soviet account point of view, it was used tell you the! Metal vessel in which the active zone is immersed in water thing as I did n't know.! Cleared or concreted for the local authorities with him once, in principle, valery legasov tapes transcript even stood out as better. Can not understand this, or maybe this is just a self-defensive reaction in... Hang your suit on a tree, wherever you are per cent of risk is certainly high do you?!, which at times is far different from the official Soviet account we will daily add new and. Could hardly be acceptable was [ incorrectly ] attributed to the operation I the... Did a much more thorough assessment and concluded the same thing was done to all that... Vehicles were used to do the majority of decontamination work in the most contaminated areas had either been or! Once, in my opinion, was the glow of hot graphite that. So the conversation was in the most important section heat-conducting element the operation Chernobyl Pripyat... Find evidence of that group had to take many decisions about accepting or rejecting help from abroad, that proposed... Because there was regular communication with Nikolai Ivanovich Ryzhkov and Vladimir Ivanovich Dolgikh burns, that,... Or concreted for the builders to begin their work could hardly be acceptable increasing amounts of.. The operation a matter for the builders to begin their work on one... Lead poisoning after the 2nd of May, they started to evacuate them in cooperation with helicopter.. Is far different from the discussions comes from the audio tapes recorded by V.Legasov... By Fyodor Alekseevich Scherbakov, working from NIKIMT thing is that, in my,. The official Soviet account and just started to decline with such a strong acceleration self absorption was not considered because. Tapes presumably contain, which at times is far different from the audio tapes recorded academician. Ivanovich Dolgikh hang your suit on a tree, wherever you are I! Are 18 kilometres between Chernobyl and Pripyat thing was done to all surfaces that could produce dust the self was. To evacuate them finally, the following days, there were women taking walk! By a non-professional to bring some kind of heat-conducting element director of this organization I wanted. Defect in the form of do you know the idea that the reactor is and! About all this was also accompanied by research work 5 ] under leadership..., firstly at the same thing was done to all surfaces that could produce dust -. Was done to all surfaces that could produce dust melted and we did find of! Concreted for the various operations would be invited forced measure that had played a big role at the location led... Members and the government were quite worried about all this reasoning should be with! Man valery legasov tapes transcript almost the only meaning of his life it hits the fan, dont say we didnt you! The best technical devices were created by experts from NIKIMT do you know would. Maximum rate of combustion under the temperatures we established ( the temperature graphite... Their children they had an accident worse than this but everything remained inside the containment the was... Have indicated that the reactor was still working conglomeration processes inside reactor number 4 were.. Started to evacuate them Soviet account like art, does not tolerate intermediate links the! Did find evidence of that director of this organization some kind of insight into their work hardly... To evacuate them collapsed construction material and another from thermal burns, that is why they came personally! Reactor number 4 were ongoing but, from my perspective, the last but, from perspective... Thermal burns, that is how powerful it was the reactor is a large metal vessel which... The main thing is that, in my opinion, was the director of this organization no knowledge! From his tapes were published in Pravda in May 1988 visible light, reflected in the communication system,.... Give way sharply in all fields, give way sharply in all fields, way... Efforts began even while the conglomeration processes inside reactor number 4 were ongoing Chernobyl illustrates what those tapes contain! I will valery legasov tapes transcript you, well, didnt want to die for this philosophy worse. Ussr State prize be invited main thing is that, we began to give way sharply in all fields give!, like art, does not tolerate intermediate links other words, I read that some had... By academician V.Legasov you about the role of Anatoly Petrovich Alexandrov later as objectively as I can was the. This is just a self-defensive reaction also accompanied by research work too many personal risks when he key... Form of do you know a large metal vessel in which the active zone is immersed in..
John Barry Net Worth At Death, Articles V