Due to the cynicism and unpredictability of the russians, it is difficult to assess the risks at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, but dismissing them is impossible. UAnimals has gathered the essential information and expert opinions on the consequences of russian terrorism and how to ensure the safety of people and help pets and domestic animals.
Kirill Budanov, the Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, stated that russian forces have planted explosives in the cooling pond necessary for the safe operation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. According to him, if russia detonates it, there is a “high probability of significant problems.” However, the threat is not new: since the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was occupied, the situation has always been dangerous.
The scale of the consequences depends on the number and location of the explosives planted. Radiologist Olena Parenuk considers two possible scenarios. The first is that it will be impossible to cool down Reactor 5 (the only one currently shut down in a hot state), and it will explode after some time. The second scenario is if another area of the plant is detonated, there will be no thermal explosion, but radioactive release will occur. This will lead to water contamination in the Dnipro River downstream, the Black Sea, and eventually the Mediterranean. “There will be a restricted zone on part of the Dnipro riverbank, but it won’t be catastrophic,” says Parenuk for the “BezBrekhni” project.
Regarding the impact zone maps circulating online, it is important to approach them with maximum skepticism. “It reminds us of the PSYOPs targeting Ukrainians. The basis of this map is unclear,” says Olena Parenuk.
The State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety reports that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is not currently producing radioactive iodine because the power units have not been generating electricity since September 2022. Even if a terrorist attack was to occur, the release of radioactive substances would not contain iodine isotopes, which preventive measures with potassium iodide aim to protect against. Therefore, there is no need to take potassium iodide pills or administer them to animals under any terrorism scenario.
How to protect pets in the event of a radiation danger?
If an explosion does happen, you should follow the instructions from official sources in each specific region. There are several steps that will help you prepare a safe environment for yourself and your pets.
Tips from a veterinarian Diana Vasylkova.
1) Prepare a supply of hermetically sealed
– pet feed (dry or wet feed, canned food, frozen products), treats
– bottled drinking water;
– medicines for the animal, if it needs them in everyday life;
– plastic bowls;
– hygiene products: wet wipes, disposable diapers, a spare small litter box and litter, soap, shampoo for animals;
– toys.
2) First steps in case of danger.
If you were indoors at the time of the nuclear explosion or accident at the nuclear power plant, stay there with your animals. If you came home from the street, take off your clothes and put them in a plastic bag, do not touch the animals until you have washed your face and hair with soap and water.
If you were outside with the animal, wash both yourself and the animal. If this is not possible, clean the animal with wet wipes.
Put all clothing and dirty wipes in a sealed bag and keep them away from you and the animal.
3) Secure the place where you and the animals are.
In the first minutes after the announcement of the danger, close all windows and doors tightly. Follow the news about the safety of tap water, it is better to use bottled water. Boiling does not get rid of radioactive substances.
Feed animals only with food and water from stockpiles. If they were not stored in a cabinet or refrigerator, wipe the sealed bag/container with wet wipes or a wet cloth before opening.
4) Toilet
Replace the old cat toilet with a new one, and put new diapers on the dogs.
They shouldn’t leave the shelter for 48 hours, so try changing diapers for an adult dog if they are used to going outside.
5) Potassium iodide
It is dangerous for health to consume potassium iodide in advance and give it to animals! There is a minimum daily allowance for pets (dogs, cats) that can be safely given once in case of need.
Potassium iodide should be given with food (doses for cats and dogs):
1 tablet 125 mg per 60 kg of weight
3/4 tablet 93.75 mg per 40 kg of body weight
1/2 tablet 62.5 mg per 30 kg of body weight
1/4 tablet 31.25 mg per 20 kg of body weight
Dissolve 1/4 tablet in 15 ml of water, give 1 ml of this solution per 1 kg of body weight
Please note! Potassium iodide should be administered only as directed by local authorities, if necessary. It is dangerous for health to take potassium iodide in advance and give it to animals!
How to protect domestic animals in the case of a radiation threat?
UAnimals talked to Mykola Lazarev, Associate Professor of the Department of General Ecology, Radiobiology and Life Safety at the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, PhD in Biology.
The main points of the conversation.
1) If cows and horses were outside during the radiation release, it is necessary to bring them into the stable after washing them (without detergents). Sheep should be sheared, because radioactive particles are retained on the wool, as well as on the hair of cats and dogs.
2) If the animals were indoors during the release of radiation, this will reduce their exposure level tenfold. The main thing is not to let them outdoors until the authorities order it.
3) If the cow was in the pasture for a short time or in an enclosed space and did not eat feed that fell under the radioactive cloud during the release of radiation, its milk is suitable for consumption.
4) If the cow was in the pasture and ate contaminated feed/grass, it is necessary to undergo radiation monitoring before consuming milk. It is carried out by the State Veterinary Service, which has recommendations for agricultural production in the contaminated area and appropriate equipment (dosimeters, etc.).
5) If a cow is exposed to radiation, veterinary specialists can calculate the level of contamination of milk and living tissue using special methods and devices without killing the animal.
6) The dose and negative consequences (radiation sickness, etc.) should be determined after studying the regional radiation situation. However, it is quite difficult to obtain life-threatening doses.
7) It is also necessary to take into account what kind of radionuclides were involved. If there was iodine and the animal was in an open pasture, its thyroid gland will be affected first. This is the biggest delayed threat – the consequences will be felt in weeks or months.
8) The main thing in the situation of a radioactive release is to wait for expert opinions from specialists. Before that, no decisions should be made, especially no animals should be killed!
9) Chickens and other poultry may be exposed to radiation if the radioactive cloud catches them outside. However, in this situation, it is also important to wait for expert opinions, because the dose of radiation, distance from the release site, and wind direction are important.
10) The most dangerous period of radioactive iodine activity is 48-72 hours. During this time, even with general doses, problems with animal products and their thyroid glands can occur.
11) Water is not a significant source of radionuclides. Therefore, its use, according to Mykola Lazarev, does not pose significant threats or problems.
12) It is important not to graze cattle on pastures through which the radioactive cloud has passed until the situation is studied by experts.
13)13) Products of animal origin from animals located in the area with significant radioactive contamination should undergo radiological control. And the decision on their use should be made after consultation or examination. For this purpose, the veterinary medicine service is called.
