Green Cross Speaks on Chernobyl

Dr. Stephan Robinson, Green Cross Switzerland was quoted on March 19 in New York Times article “Lessons From Chernobyl for Japan,” written by Ellen Barry.  A link to the article can be found here. Dr. Robinson received his Ph.D. in experimental nuclear physics from Basel University and has been with Green Cross Switzerland since 1994.

Among other interesting anecdotes about the history of events, the status of Chernobyl today, and the tasks the workers who “baby-sit” the 25-year-old structure that encloses Reactor No. 4, the article discusses the realities of a nuclear meltdown site. The aging, hastily built structure was intended to contain the highly radioactive melted nuclear fuel and keep it from seeping into the environment. Dr. Robinson comments on the wear on the structure known as “the sarcophagus.” He expresses concern over rainwater leaking into the reactor.

Green Cross Switzerland is a partner with Global Green USA and Green Cross Russia in the Environmental Security and Sustainability Program, formerly known as the Legacy Program. Green Cross Switzerland also implements a SocMed Program in the areas affected by the Chernobyl disaster. Activities include therapy camps for children born in the Chernobyl region since 1986 who have chronic problems with their respiratory, digestive and endocrine systems; the camp is an opportunity for them to receive treatment and prescriptions for these aliments. The Mother and Child Project works to improve the health of mothers and their children through focused medical attention and education on protecting their families from the effects of radioactivity. The Family Medicine Program is geared toward the development of public infrastructure for protecting the Chernobyl population from the continuing process of health and social degradation. A link to a detailed description of Green Cross Switzerland's SocMed Program can be found here.