Nuclear wastes: storage is a problem Accident The number of nuclear power station has been decreasing Fg19.14in1986,a meltdown occurred at this nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, Ukraine. Because there was no containment building, large amounts of radioactive material were released into the environment, three people died outright and dozens more died from radiation sickness with in a few weeks Thousands who were exposed to high levels of radiation stand an increased risk of cancer. Today, 10,000 square kilometers of land remains contaminated with high levels of radiationNuclear wastes: Storage is a problem. Accident The number of nuclear power station has been decreasing. Fig 19.14 in 1986, a meltdown occurred at this nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, Ukraine. Because there was no containment building, large amounts of radioactive material were released into the environment, three people died outright and dozens more died from radiation sickness within a few weeks . Thousands who were exposed to high levels of radiation stand an increased risk of cancer. Today, 10,000 square kilometers of land remains contaminated with high levels of radiation