Discussion

Academician B.N. Laskorin, USSR Academy of Sciences Chairman of Environmental Protection Committee of the USSR Union of Scientific and Engineering Societies

The protection of the vital qualities of natural water is the main issue underlying the survival of humanity.

Data on the Chernobyl tragedy have been widely discussed at many conferences and symposia held by the International Atomic Energy Agency and other agencies under the aegis of the United Nations. Also during the three years following the Chernobyl accident, we have been in close co-operation and have had confidential consultations with scientists from Great Britain, Japan, the USA, France and Sweden. The aim of the present conference is to consider methods of preventing radioactive pollution of natural waters in the event of a nuclear accident. The critical remarks, heard frequently, concerning the Chernobyl reactor are quite just. The protection of the vital qualities of natural waters is of extreme importance today if the global problems threatening all life on earth are to be solved.