WHAT TYPE OF MATERIAL ESCAPED FROM THE REACTOR?

Three types of radioactive materials escaped the reactor:

  1. GASES such as Xe and Kr and VOLATILE SUBSTANCES such as I2 and RuO4
  2. CONDENSIBLE VAPOURS such as Te and Cs (atoms or hydroxide)
  3. PARTICULATES. These range in size from aerosol particles (<2 microns) to large pieces of burning debris

Gases, Vapours and aerosol particles were carried into the atmosphere by convection and travelled large distances from the accident.

The amount of radiation released in the days after the accident is shown in the chart below.