ABSTRACT for Presentation at the 2003 Radiochemistry Conference

Carlsbad, New Mexico

July 15-16, 2003

The initiation of the accident at Chernobyl had technical and management/safety culture related causes. The major causes will be identified and their roles in the accident will be discussed. The synergy between the technical causes and management/safety causes will be identified.

The on-going environmental legacy of the worst accident at a nuclear power plant consists of impacts on water quality, agriculture, air quality and public trust. The qualitative impact of the accident and its aftermath on the robustness of the Ukraine and its citizens poses a significant challenge.