SCIENTIFIC PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OF SERBIA-ECOLOGICA https://phaidrabg.bg.ac.rs/o:35782 doi:10.18485/ecologica.2024.31.116.3 cobiss:COBISS.SR–ID 80263175 ISSN: 0354-3285 eng Čučulović, Ana A. Stanojković, Jelena N. Čučulović, Rodoljub D. application/pdf 1106754 bytes Nuclear accidents: past, present and maybe the future info:eu-repo/semantics/article 2024 Ecologica volume: 31 number: 116 All rights reserved radioactivity, nuclear accidents, radioaktive contamination, Chernobyl ABSTRACT Radioactive contamination is the unintentional and undesirable presence of radioactive elements on surface or within organism. Such contamination can be result of technological developments, peaceful nuclear energy use, experimental nuclear activities, and the use of nuclear weapons in warfare. To mitigate the risk of radioactive contamination, protective measures are being implemented. During the period from 1945 to 1987, 28 accidents occurred due to human actions. Before the Chernobyl accident (26.04.1986, Ukraine), there were three notable cases of unintentional radioactive leakage from nuclear power plants: Kyshtym (1957), Windscale (1957), and Three Mile Island (1979). The incident at the Lenin nuclear power plant in Chernobyl resulted in global environmental contamination, with cesium residues are still present in Serbia to this day.