The Special Zone

Abstract

The 30-kilometer zone began as a somewhat arbitrary area that was considered sufficient for the purposes of evacuating the population. It was marked initially only by increased military patrols. By the Fall of 1986, however, its perimeters were more clearly marked. Special permission was required to enter and leave the zone. By the spring of 1987, the zone had become virtually a military camp. In turn, the special zone was divided into three subzones. The first was the region directly around the damaged reactor; the second was the immediate vicinity, in a radius of approximately 10 kilometers; and the third was the remainder of the zone. Conditions varied, but it seems that generally speaking, the further away from the reactor one worked, the less facilities and protective clothing there were for the workers.