A nuclear disaster refers to a significant release of radioactive materials into the environment, often resulting from accidents at nuclear power plants. These events can lead to severe health risks for nearby populations and long-term environmental contamination. Notable examples include the Chernobyl disaster in 1986 and the Fukushima disaster in 2011, both of which had profound impacts on public health and safety regulations worldwide.
The consequences of a nuclear disaster can be devastating, affecting not only human health but also ecosystems and economies. Emergency response efforts are crucial in mitigating the effects, and lessons learned from past incidents continue to shape nuclear safety protocols globally.