There are still radioactive places in the Chernobyl Zone, although the levels are now a fraction of what the radiation levels were in the year 1986. Much of the radioactive isotopes have gone deeper into the soil – every year they travel about one centimeter deeper into the earth. Although there are areas of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone that are still dangerously radioactive, these are isolated spots and serve to highlight the importance of exploring the Zone with a trained and appointed guide (and a reliable dosimeter).
During three/four/five days in the Chernobyl Zone, the human body receives a radiation dose equal to 1-2 X-ray screenings in a hospital or to one transatlantic flight. In numbers, it means that during one day spent in the Chernobyl Zone one will receive a dose of radiation around 3 μSv (microSieverts, the safe limit is 100 microSieverts per day). To put this in perspective, the average yearly radiation dose in the UK from Radon gas alone is 1 300 μSv, while in the US the average yearly dose from background radiation alone (with no extra flights, X Rays or CT scans etc) is 6 200 μSv (Source – UK Health Protection Agency). Visitors of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone should avoid radioactive dust, which may occur at some places and get stuck in small (not dangerous) amounts on their clothes or shoes. Because of this, ChernobylPhoto.com suggests that all visitors should wash all their clothes and shoes once they return home. For every photographer traveling with ChernobylPhoto.com, a fabric respirator and overall is provided.
