Question

Nuclear Incidents are classified under which disaster category?

• A. Accident-Related Disasters
• B. Biological Disasters
• C. Chemical, Industrial, & Nuclear Disasters
• D. Geological Disasters

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Chemical, Industrial, & Nuclear Disasters

This category encompasses disasters that originate from human technological activities, particularly those involving hazardous materials or complex industrial processes.

• Nuclear Incidents: These are specific types of human-made disasters that involve the release of radioactive materials or uncontrolled nuclear reactions. They can occur at nuclear power plants, research facilities, or during the transport of nuclear materials.

  • Examples: Accidents like Chernobyl (1986), Fukushima Daiichi (2011), and Three Mile Island (1979) are prime examples.

  • Causes: They often result from equipment failures, design flaws, human error, or a combination of these factors, leading to meltdowns, criticality accidents, or significant radiation leakage.

  • Consequences: The impact can be severe, including immediate fatalities, long-term health effects (like cancer) due to radiation exposure, widespread environmental contamination, and large-scale evacuations and resettlement.

This classification highlights that the primary cause and nature of these events are technological and industrial, distinct from natural phenomena or purely biological hazards.