Chernobyl's unexpected revival: Land safe again for farming
Scientists from Ukraine and the United Kingdom have confirmed that land in Chernobyl can be cultivated again, including for potatoes and grain.
Researchers from the University of Portsmouth in the UK and the Ukrainian Institute of Agricultural Radiology have developed a protocol to assess radioactive contamination. It has been proven that the area can be used for growing potatoes, corn, sunflowers, or grains.
Tests were conducted on 250 acres. These were carried out in the second zone, located approximately 45 miles from the site of the disaster. The research indicates that radiation levels are within national safety standards and are even lower than in many regions worldwide.
The Chernobyl disaster
Radioactivity does not affect the size and taste of vegetables. The condition is to confirm that the soil in a given area meets the permissible radiation level standards. In the case of absorbing small amounts of radioactive substances by plants, it does not pose a threat to humans.
The further from the site of the Chernobyl disaster, the lower the level of radioactive contamination. Therefore, it is crucial to regularly monitor radiation levels in the immediate vicinity of the former nuclear power plant and gradually reclaim agricultural land, starting from areas least affected by the disaster.
