Radiation is used in medical research, but when present in large quantities in the outside world it has a negative effect. In April 1986, a terrible accident occurred at a power plant. Many people died from radiation, affecting five million people in nearby cities. The Chernobyl explosion killed many people and immediately devastated the environment, and many years later the health of people and animals. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay When the nuclear power plant exploded, the first to receive the impact was Worm Wood Forest, it received all the radiation it slowly began to die. The radiation caused the trees to take on a deep red hue as it mixed with the structure of its DNA. Half the forest was bulldozed and razed because it was the most polluted by radiation. The Red Forest is the most contaminated area in the world, but there have been many reports of animals living in the forest. Many scientists used robots to search the power plant areas to see if there were any organisms that benefited from the radiation. Inside the plant there are two types of fungi that thrive thanks to radiation, Cryptococcus neoformans and Cladosporium. These fungi absorb radiation using a defense called melanin to harness the radiation energy. Over the years, many animals have been born in contaminated areas and are born with mutations in genes that affect their physical appearance. The radiation mixes with the DNA code and then alters the codons. The error in the codon can cause an unwanted mutation in the animal such as a third leg or an extra head. Many animals are no longer hunted and multiply faster than usual. The animals eat the contaminated plants which infect the animal's flesh, when it is contaminated it is no longer edible and the radiation could pass on to its baby. The radiation blast spread for many kilometers and over time cost many people their lives due to illness. Many people who tried to help clean up were exposed to high levels of radiation which led to their deaths. Around 350,400 people were evacuated to Ukraine, Belarus and Russia due to the disaster. In 2010, the government of Belarus announced to the world that it would allow many people to settle in the affected areas. For many years from 2011 to 2015 and up to 2020 a new resettlement program will be in place, but some areas will be restricted due to radiation levels. People will be able to use wasted gas, drinking water and electricity supplies, but woods and forests will be strictly prohibited. Scientists say it is healthy to eat food grown in contaminated areas, but it is still dangerous to eat wild plants. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In 1900, $400 million was “spent on improving Chernobyl's remaining reactors by making them safer for workers.” “Every day 6000 people worked in the plant and their radiation dose was very low but at the same time risky. “Each man had a fifteen-minute shift a day due to the high level of radiation and had a high risk of developing cancer or another disease. A small group is working inside the reactor as they slowly rebuild it. Many workers live with their families in a town called Slavutich.