🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 144 (from laksa175)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa144.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.nei.org/resources/fact-sheets/comparing-fukushima-and-chernobyl\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.nei.org/resources/fact-sheets/comparing-fukushima-and-chernobyl\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.nei.org\/resources\/fact-sheets\/comparing-fukushima-and-chernobyl","crawl_time":1776030507,"first_indexed_time":1534613251,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"org,nei!www,\/resources\/fact-sheets\/comparing-fukushima-and-chernobyl s443","src_root_hash":"13605269976334985144","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Comparing Fukushima and Chernobyl | NEI","meta_descriptions":["The 2011 nuclear accident at Fukushima Daiichi and the 1986 incident at Chernobyl were both rated 7 on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale, but the accidents were starkly different in their cause, the governments’ response and health effects."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Key Facts\nBoth the 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear energy facility in Japan and the Chernobyl accident in the former Soviet Union in 1986 required countermeasures to protect the public. This fact netted both accidents the highest rating on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES). However, the accidents were starkly different in their cause, the governments’ response and health effects. \nThe accident at Fukushima occurred after a series of tsunami waves struck the facility and disabled systems needed to cool the nuclear fuel. \nThe accident at Chernobyl stemmed from a flawed reactor design and human error. It released about 10 times the radiation that was released after the Fukushima accident.\nAccording to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), there was less total atmospheric release of radioactivity from the Fukushima accident compared with Chernobyl due to the different accident scenarios and mechanisms of radioactive releases.\nIn Chernobyl, the release started with a nuclear criticality accident which triggered an in-core steam explosion, causing an intensive ejection of the overheated core material and extensive burning of graphite and reactor materials over a long period of time. The release was not confined because that type of reactor did not have a containment structure as designed in all U.S. reactors. As a result, radioactivity had a direct open path to the environment, enhanced by entrainment in the smoke from the burning graphite.\nAt Fukushima, there were no explosions within the cores. Rather, progressive heating, oxidation and meltdown of the cores occurred over a much longer period of time. The radioactive products were thus released from the core much more gradually, with some of the radioactive material confined by containment structures which partially retained the radioactivity. Also, the plant’s suppression pool water provided scrubbing (or “cleaning”) of radioactive products that reduced the atmospheric release at Fukushima.\nThe Japanese government moved rapidly to implement protective measures, evacuating people and halting food shipments from the area. The government also distributed potassium iodide to residents near the facility to prevent their thyroid glands from absorbing radiation. These actions limited any adverse health effects from the accident. \nAuthorities in the former Soviet Union were slow to act to protect the supply of food and milk, which led to a spike in thyroid cancers among children and adolescents from consuming contaminated foodstuffs.\nNo deaths from radiation exposure have been attributed to the accident at Fukushima. Separate studies published in 2013 by the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization concluded that health risks from radiation released during the Fukushima accident are minimal, even for those “most affected,” and there are essentially no health effects outside Japan. \nAt Chernobyl, 28 highly exposed workers died within four months of the accident. Experts say there is “some evidence” of an increased risk of leukemia and cataracts among workers who received higher doses when engaged in recovery efforts. Long-term health monitoring of these workers is ongoing. As of 2005, about 15 children had died from thyroid cancer. Improved monitoring has been implemented to help ensure that thyroid cancer is detected early, when it is highly treatable. However, countermeasures taken over the next few years after the accident kept radiation doses relatively low. The resulting doses “should not lead to substantial health effects in the general population,” according to a 2011 report from the United Nations.","attrs_markdown":"\\>\n\nThis website uses information gathering tools including cookies, and other similar technology. By using this website, you consent to use of these tools. If you do not consent, do not use this website. Our revised privacy notice and cookie policy is [LOCATED HERE](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/legal)\n\n[Skip to Main Content](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/resources\/fact-sheets\/comparing-fukushima-and-chernobyl#site-main)\n\n[Nuclear Energy Institute](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/)\n\n![](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/App_Themes\/NEIwebsite\/Images\/logo-print.png)\n\n- [Login](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/accounts\/login)\n- [Join NEI](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/about-nei\/join-nei)\n\nToggle menu\n\n## Site Navigation\n- [Fundamentals](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/fundamentals)\n  - [Overview](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/fundamentals)\n  - [What is Nuclear Energy?](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/fundamentals\/what-is-nuclear-energy)\n  - [How a Nuclear Reactor Works](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/fundamentals\/how-a-nuclear-reactor-works)\n  - [Nuclear Fuel](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/fundamentals\/nuclear-fuel)\n  - [Used Fuel](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/fundamentals\/used-fuel)\n  - [Safety](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/fundamentals\/safety)\n  - [Environmental Justice Principles](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/fundamentals\/environmental-justice-principles)\n- [Advanced](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/advanced-nuclear-energy)\n  - [Overview](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/advanced-nuclear-energy)\n  - [Advanced Nuclear 101](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/advanced-nuclear-energy\/advanced-nuclear-101)\n  - [Value of Advanced Nuclear](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/advanced-nuclear-energy\/value-of-advanced-nuclear)\n  - [The Road to Deployment](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/advanced-nuclear-energy\/the-road-to-deployment)\n  - [Advanced Nuclear FAQ](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/advanced-nuclear-energy\/advanced-nuclear-faq-\\(1\\))\n  - [Advanced Nuclear Project Map](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/advanced-nuclear-energy\/advanced-nuclear-project-map)\n  - [Accelerating Deployment](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/advanced-nuclear-energy\/newnuclearbestpractices)\n- [Advantages](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/advantages)\n  - [Overview](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/advantages)\n  - [Clean Energy](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/advantages\/climate)\n  - [Infrastructure](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/advantages\/infrastructure)\n  - [Technology Leadership](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/advantages\/technology-leadership)\n  - [Jobs](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/advantages\/jobs)\n  - [Energy Security](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/advantages\/energy-security)\n- [Invest](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/resources\/fact-sheets\/comparing-fukushima-and-chernobyl)\n  - [Investors](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/advanced-nuclear-energy\/investing-in-the-future)\n  - [Customers](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/advanced-nuclear-energy\/opportunities-for-industries)\n- [Advocacy](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/advocacy)\n  - [Overview](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/advocacy)\n  - [Make Regulations Smarter](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/advocacy\/make-regulations-smarter)\n  - [Compete Globally](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/advocacy\/compete-globally)\n  - [Voices For Nuclear](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/voices-for-nuclear-energy)\n  - [Take Action](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/advocacy\/take-action)\n- [Events](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/conferences)\n  - [Overview](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/conferences)\n  - [Upcoming Events](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/conferences#section1)\n  - [Training and Virtual Events](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/conferences\/training-and-virtual-events)\n  - [Past Conferences and Training](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/conferences\/past-conferences-and-events)\n  - [NEI+ Training](https:\/\/www.pathlms.com\/nei)\n  - [FAQs](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/conferences\/frequently-asked-questions)\n- [Newsroom](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/news)\n  - [Overview](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/news)\n  - [Blog](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/news\/news-archive?type=blog)\n  - [Press Release](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/news\/news-archive?type=pressrelease)\n  - [Fissionary](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/news\/fissionary)\n  - [Off the Menu](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/news\/news-archive?type=off_menu)\n  - [Press Statement](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/news\/news-archive?type=pressstatement)\n  - [Campaign](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/news\/news-archive?type=campaign)\n  - [Events](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/news\/news-archive?type=events_accelerator.articles)\n  - [Media Center](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/mediaassets)\n  - [Search News](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/news\/news-archive)\n- [Resources](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/resources)\n  - [Overview](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/resources)\n  - [U.S. Nuclear Plants](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/resources\/us-nuclear-plants)\n  - [Statistics](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/resources\/resources-archive?Type=Statistics)\n  - [Fact Sheets](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/resources\/resources-archive?Type=Fact_Sheet)\n  - [Reports & Briefs](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/resources\/resources-archive?Type=Reports_Briefs)\n  - [Testimony](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/resources\/resources-archive?Type=Testimony)\n  - [Letters, Filings & Comments](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/resources\/resources-archive?Type=Letters_Filings_Comments)\n  - [Newsletters](https:\/\/lp.nei.org\/communication-preferences.html)\n\n- [Login](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/accounts\/login)\n- [Join NEI](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/about-nei\/join-nei)\n\n# Comparing Fukushima and Chernobyl\nFact Sheet\n\nSafety\n\nOctober 2019\n\nShare This\n\n[Facebook](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/resources\/fact-sheets\/comparing-fukushima-and-chernobyl)\n\n[Twitter](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/resources\/fact-sheets\/comparing-fukushima-and-chernobyl)\n\n[LinkedIn](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/resources\/fact-sheets\/comparing-fukushima-and-chernobyl)\n\n## Key Facts\n- Both the 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear energy facility in Japan and the Chernobyl accident in the former Soviet Union in 1986 required countermeasures to protect the public. This fact netted both accidents the highest rating on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES). However, the accidents were starkly different in their cause, the governments’ response and health effects.\n- The accident at Fukushima occurred after a series of tsunami waves struck the facility and disabled systems needed to cool the nuclear fuel.\n- The accident at Chernobyl stemmed from a flawed reactor design and human error. It released about 10 times the radiation that was released after the Fukushima accident.\n- According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), there was less total atmospheric release of radioactivity from the Fukushima accident compared with Chernobyl due to the different accident scenarios and mechanisms of radioactive releases.\n- In Chernobyl, the release started with a nuclear criticality accident which triggered an in-core steam explosion, causing an intensive ejection of the overheated core material and extensive burning of graphite and reactor materials over a long period of time. The release was not confined because that type of reactor did not have a containment structure as designed in all U.S. reactors. As a result, radioactivity had a direct open path to the environment, enhanced by entrainment in the smoke from the burning graphite.\n- At Fukushima, there were no explosions within the cores. Rather, progressive heating, oxidation and meltdown of the cores occurred over a much longer period of time. The radioactive products were thus released from the core much more gradually, with some of the radioactive material confined by containment structures which partially retained the radioactivity. Also, the plant’s suppression pool water provided scrubbing (or “cleaning”) of radioactive products that reduced the atmospheric release at Fukushima.\n- The Japanese government moved rapidly to implement protective measures, evacuating people and halting food shipments from the area. The government also distributed potassium iodide to residents near the facility to prevent their thyroid glands from absorbing radiation. These actions limited any adverse health effects from the accident.\n- Authorities in the former Soviet Union were slow to act to protect the supply of food and milk, which led to a spike in thyroid cancers among children and adolescents from consuming contaminated foodstuffs.\n- No deaths from radiation exposure have been attributed to the accident at Fukushima. Separate studies published in 2013 by the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization concluded that health risks from radiation released during the Fukushima accident are minimal, even for those “most affected,” and there are essentially no health effects outside Japan.\n- At Chernobyl, 28 highly exposed workers died within four months of the accident. Experts say there is “some evidence” of an increased risk of leukemia and cataracts among workers who received higher doses when engaged in recovery efforts. Long-term health monitoring of these workers is ongoing. As of 2005, about 15 children had died from thyroid cancer. Improved monitoring has been implemented to help ensure that thyroid cancer is detected early, when it is highly treatable. However, countermeasures taken over the next few years after the accident kept radiation doses relatively low. The resulting doses “should not lead to substantial health effects in the general population,” according to a 2011 report from the United Nations.\n\nShare This\n\n[Facebook](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/resources\/fact-sheets\/comparing-fukushima-and-chernobyl)\n\n[Twitter](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/resources\/fact-sheets\/comparing-fukushima-and-chernobyl)\n\n[LinkedIn](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/resources\/fact-sheets\/comparing-fukushima-and-chernobyl)\n\n## Related Information\n- [WHO 2013 Report](http:\/\/www.who.int\/ionizing_radiation\/pub_meet\/fukushima_risk_assessment_2013\/en\/)\n- [UNSCEAR 2013 Report](http:\/\/www.unscear.org\/docs\/reports\/2013\/14-06336_Report_2013_Annex_A_Ebook_website.pdf)\n- [UNSCEAR 2008 Report](http:\/\/www.unscear.org\/docs\/reports\/2008\/11-80076_Report_2008_Annex_D.pdf)\n- [WNA on Fukushima](https:\/\/www.world-nuclear.org\/information-library\/safety-and-security\/safety-of-plants\/fukushima-daiichi-accident.aspx)\n- [IAEA 2015 Report](https:\/\/www-pub.iaea.org\/MTCD\/Publications\/PDF\/AdditionalVolumes\/P1710\/Pub1710-TV1-Web.pdf)\n\n## Social Navigation\n[Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/NuclearEnergyInstitute)\n\n[Twitter](https:\/\/twitter.com\/NEI)\n\n[Instagram](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/nuclearenergy)\n\n[LinkedIn](https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/nuclear-energy-institute)\n\n[YouTube](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/NEINetwork)\n\n## Footer Navigation\n[About NEI](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/about-nei)\n\n[Contact Us](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/contact-us)\n\n[Employment](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/employment)\n\n[Frequently Asked Questions](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/frequently-asked-questions)\n\n## Social Navigation\n[Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/NuclearEnergyInstitute)\n\n[Twitter](https:\/\/twitter.com\/NEI)\n\n[Instagram](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/nuclearenergy)\n\n[LinkedIn](https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/nuclear-energy-institute)\n\n[YouTube](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/NEINetwork)\n\n## Utility Navigation\n[Legal](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/legal)\n\n[Site Map](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/sitemaps\/1)\n\n[Accessibility](https:\/\/www.nei.org\/accessibility)\n\n©2026\n\n©2026","attrs_readable_markdown":"## Key Facts\n- Both the 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear energy facility in Japan and the Chernobyl accident in the former Soviet Union in 1986 required countermeasures to protect the public. This fact netted both accidents the highest rating on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES). However, the accidents were starkly different in their cause, the governments’ response and health effects.\n- The accident at Fukushima occurred after a series of tsunami waves struck the facility and disabled systems needed to cool the nuclear fuel.\n- The accident at Chernobyl stemmed from a flawed reactor design and human error. It released about 10 times the radiation that was released after the Fukushima accident.\n- According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), there was less total atmospheric release of radioactivity from the Fukushima accident compared with Chernobyl due to the different accident scenarios and mechanisms of radioactive releases.\n- In Chernobyl, the release started with a nuclear criticality accident which triggered an in-core steam explosion, causing an intensive ejection of the overheated core material and extensive burning of graphite and reactor materials over a long period of time. The release was not confined because that type of reactor did not have a containment structure as designed in all U.S. reactors. As a result, radioactivity had a direct open path to the environment, enhanced by entrainment in the smoke from the burning graphite.\n- At Fukushima, there were no explosions within the cores. Rather, progressive heating, oxidation and meltdown of the cores occurred over a much longer period of time. The radioactive products were thus released from the core much more gradually, with some of the radioactive material confined by containment structures which partially retained the radioactivity. Also, the plant’s suppression pool water provided scrubbing (or “cleaning”) of radioactive products that reduced the atmospheric release at Fukushima.\n- The Japanese government moved rapidly to implement protective measures, evacuating people and halting food shipments from the area. The government also distributed potassium iodide to residents near the facility to prevent their thyroid glands from absorbing radiation. These actions limited any adverse health effects from the accident.\n- Authorities in the former Soviet Union were slow to act to protect the supply of food and milk, which led to a spike in thyroid cancers among children and adolescents from consuming contaminated foodstuffs.\n- No deaths from radiation exposure have been attributed to the accident at Fukushima. Separate studies published in 2013 by the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization concluded that health risks from radiation released during the Fukushima accident are minimal, even for those “most affected,” and there are essentially no health effects outside Japan.\n- At Chernobyl, 28 highly exposed workers died within four months of the accident. Experts say there is “some evidence” of an increased risk of leukemia and cataracts among workers who received higher doses when engaged in recovery efforts. Long-term health monitoring of these workers is ongoing. As of 2005, about 15 children had died from thyroid cancer. Improved monitoring has been implemented to help ensure that thyroid cancer is detected early, when it is highly treatable. However, countermeasures taken over the next few years after the accident kept radiation doses relatively low. The resulting doses “should not lead to substantial health effects in the general population,” according to a 2011 report from the United Nations.","meta_canonical":null}

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:

Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:

Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

📄

INDEXABLE

✅

CRAWLED

4 hours ago

🤖

ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

Filter	Status	Condition	Details
HTTP status	PASS	`download_http_code = 200`	HTTP 200
Age cutoff	PASS	`download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH`	0 months ago
History drop	PASS	`isNull(history_drop_reason)`	No drop reason
Spam/ban	PASS	`fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0`	ml_spam_score=0
Canonical	PASS	`meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed`	Not set

Page Details

Property	Value
URL	https://www.nei.org/resources/fact-sheets/comparing-fukushima-and-chernobyl
Last Crawled	2026-04-12 21:48:27 (4 hours ago)
First Indexed	2018-08-18 17:27:31 (7 years ago)
HTTP Status Code	200
Meta Title	Comparing Fukushima and Chernobyl \| NEI
Meta Description	The 2011 nuclear accident at Fukushima Daiichi and the 1986 incident at Chernobyl were both rated 7 on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale, but the accidents were starkly different in their cause, the governments’ response and health effects.
Meta Canonical	null
Boilerpipe Text	Key Facts Both the 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear energy facility in Japan and the Chernobyl accident in the former Soviet Union in 1986 required countermeasures to protect the public. This fact netted both accidents the highest rating on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES). However, the accidents were starkly different in their cause, the governments’ response and health effects. The accident at Fukushima occurred after a series of tsunami waves struck the facility and disabled systems needed to cool the nuclear fuel. The accident at Chernobyl stemmed from a flawed reactor design and human error. It released about 10 times the radiation that was released after the Fukushima accident. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), there was less total atmospheric release of radioactivity from the Fukushima accident compared with Chernobyl due to the different accident scenarios and mechanisms of radioactive releases. In Chernobyl, the release started with a nuclear criticality accident which triggered an in-core steam explosion, causing an intensive ejection of the overheated core material and extensive burning of graphite and reactor materials over a long period of time. The release was not confined because that type of reactor did not have a containment structure as designed in all U.S. reactors. As a result, radioactivity had a direct open path to the environment, enhanced by entrainment in the smoke from the burning graphite. At Fukushima, there were no explosions within the cores. Rather, progressive heating, oxidation and meltdown of the cores occurred over a much longer period of time. The radioactive products were thus released from the core much more gradually, with some of the radioactive material confined by containment structures which partially retained the radioactivity. Also, the plant’s suppression pool water provided scrubbing (or “cleaning”) of radioactive products that reduced the atmospheric release at Fukushima. The Japanese government moved rapidly to implement protective measures, evacuating people and halting food shipments from the area. The government also distributed potassium iodide to residents near the facility to prevent their thyroid glands from absorbing radiation. These actions limited any adverse health effects from the accident. Authorities in the former Soviet Union were slow to act to protect the supply of food and milk, which led to a spike in thyroid cancers among children and adolescents from consuming contaminated foodstuffs. No deaths from radiation exposure have been attributed to the accident at Fukushima. Separate studies published in 2013 by the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization concluded that health risks from radiation released during the Fukushima accident are minimal, even for those “most affected,” and there are essentially no health effects outside Japan. At Chernobyl, 28 highly exposed workers died within four months of the accident. Experts say there is “some evidence” of an increased risk of leukemia and cataracts among workers who received higher doses when engaged in recovery efforts. Long-term health monitoring of these workers is ongoing. As of 2005, about 15 children had died from thyroid cancer. Improved monitoring has been implemented to help ensure that thyroid cancer is detected early, when it is highly treatable. However, countermeasures taken over the next few years after the accident kept radiation doses relatively low. The resulting doses “should not lead to substantial health effects in the general population,” according to a 2011 report from the United Nations.
Markdown	\> This website uses information gathering tools including cookies, and other similar technology. By using this website, you consent to use of these tools. If you do not consent, do not use this website. Our revised privacy notice and cookie policy is [LOCATED HERE](https://www.nei.org/legal) [Skip to Main Content](https://www.nei.org/resources/fact-sheets/comparing-fukushima-and-chernobyl#site-main) [Nuclear Energy Institute](https://www.nei.org/) ![](https://www.nei.org/App_Themes/NEIwebsite/Images/logo-print.png) - [Login](https://www.nei.org/accounts/login) - [Join NEI](https://www.nei.org/about-nei/join-nei) Toggle menu ## Site Navigation - [Fundamentals](https://www.nei.org/fundamentals) - [Overview](https://www.nei.org/fundamentals) - [What is Nuclear Energy?](https://www.nei.org/fundamentals/what-is-nuclear-energy) - [How a Nuclear Reactor Works](https://www.nei.org/fundamentals/how-a-nuclear-reactor-works) - [Nuclear Fuel](https://www.nei.org/fundamentals/nuclear-fuel) - [Used Fuel](https://www.nei.org/fundamentals/used-fuel) - [Safety](https://www.nei.org/fundamentals/safety) - [Environmental Justice Principles](https://www.nei.org/fundamentals/environmental-justice-principles) - 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This fact netted both accidents the highest rating on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES). However, the accidents were starkly different in their cause, the governments’ response and health effects. - The accident at Fukushima occurred after a series of tsunami waves struck the facility and disabled systems needed to cool the nuclear fuel. - The accident at Chernobyl stemmed from a flawed reactor design and human error. It released about 10 times the radiation that was released after the Fukushima accident. - According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), there was less total atmospheric release of radioactivity from the Fukushima accident compared with Chernobyl due to the different accident scenarios and mechanisms of radioactive releases. - In Chernobyl, the release started with a nuclear criticality accident which triggered an in-core steam explosion, causing an intensive ejection of the overheated core material and extensive burning of graphite and reactor materials over a long period of time. The release was not confined because that type of reactor did not have a containment structure as designed in all U.S. reactors. As a result, radioactivity had a direct open path to the environment, enhanced by entrainment in the smoke from the burning graphite. - At Fukushima, there were no explosions within the cores. Rather, progressive heating, oxidation and meltdown of the cores occurred over a much longer period of time. The radioactive products were thus released from the core much more gradually, with some of the radioactive material confined by containment structures which partially retained the radioactivity. Also, the plant’s suppression pool water provided scrubbing (or “cleaning”) of radioactive products that reduced the atmospheric release at Fukushima. - The Japanese government moved rapidly to implement protective measures, evacuating people and halting food shipments from the area. The government also distributed potassium iodide to residents near the facility to prevent their thyroid glands from absorbing radiation. These actions limited any adverse health effects from the accident. - Authorities in the former Soviet Union were slow to act to protect the supply of food and milk, which led to a spike in thyroid cancers among children and adolescents from consuming contaminated foodstuffs. - No deaths from radiation exposure have been attributed to the accident at Fukushima. Separate studies published in 2013 by the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization concluded that health risks from radiation released during the Fukushima accident are minimal, even for those “most affected,” and there are essentially no health effects outside Japan. - At Chernobyl, 28 highly exposed workers died within four months of the accident. Experts say there is “some evidence” of an increased risk of leukemia and cataracts among workers who received higher doses when engaged in recovery efforts. Long-term health monitoring of these workers is ongoing. As of 2005, about 15 children had died from thyroid cancer. Improved monitoring has been implemented to help ensure that thyroid cancer is detected early, when it is highly treatable. However, countermeasures taken over the next few years after the accident kept radiation doses relatively low. The resulting doses “should not lead to substantial health effects in the general population,” according to a 2011 report from the United Nations. 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Readable Markdown	## Key Facts - Both the 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear energy facility in Japan and the Chernobyl accident in the former Soviet Union in 1986 required countermeasures to protect the public. This fact netted both accidents the highest rating on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES). However, the accidents were starkly different in their cause, the governments’ response and health effects. - The accident at Fukushima occurred after a series of tsunami waves struck the facility and disabled systems needed to cool the nuclear fuel. - The accident at Chernobyl stemmed from a flawed reactor design and human error. It released about 10 times the radiation that was released after the Fukushima accident. - According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), there was less total atmospheric release of radioactivity from the Fukushima accident compared with Chernobyl due to the different accident scenarios and mechanisms of radioactive releases. - In Chernobyl, the release started with a nuclear criticality accident which triggered an in-core steam explosion, causing an intensive ejection of the overheated core material and extensive burning of graphite and reactor materials over a long period of time. The release was not confined because that type of reactor did not have a containment structure as designed in all U.S. reactors. As a result, radioactivity had a direct open path to the environment, enhanced by entrainment in the smoke from the burning graphite. - At Fukushima, there were no explosions within the cores. Rather, progressive heating, oxidation and meltdown of the cores occurred over a much longer period of time. The radioactive products were thus released from the core much more gradually, with some of the radioactive material confined by containment structures which partially retained the radioactivity. Also, the plant’s suppression pool water provided scrubbing (or “cleaning”) of radioactive products that reduced the atmospheric release at Fukushima. - The Japanese government moved rapidly to implement protective measures, evacuating people and halting food shipments from the area. The government also distributed potassium iodide to residents near the facility to prevent their thyroid glands from absorbing radiation. These actions limited any adverse health effects from the accident. - Authorities in the former Soviet Union were slow to act to protect the supply of food and milk, which led to a spike in thyroid cancers among children and adolescents from consuming contaminated foodstuffs. - No deaths from radiation exposure have been attributed to the accident at Fukushima. Separate studies published in 2013 by the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization concluded that health risks from radiation released during the Fukushima accident are minimal, even for those “most affected,” and there are essentially no health effects outside Japan. - At Chernobyl, 28 highly exposed workers died within four months of the accident. Experts say there is “some evidence” of an increased risk of leukemia and cataracts among workers who received higher doses when engaged in recovery efforts. Long-term health monitoring of these workers is ongoing. As of 2005, about 15 children had died from thyroid cancer. Improved monitoring has been implemented to help ensure that thyroid cancer is detected early, when it is highly treatable. However, countermeasures taken over the next few years after the accident kept radiation doses relatively low. The resulting doses “should not lead to substantial health effects in the general population,” according to a 2011 report from the United Nations.
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