Radiation and Chernobyl Trip

Article sources: Visiting Chernobyl, Radiation for beginners, A trip into the Exclusion Zone

Some interesting information about radiation and Chernobyl (quoted from the articles above):

...the alarm went off on board the plane. :-) Although I was aware of exposure to cosmic radiation at altitude, I didn't know what the actual levels were - in this case, just over 2.2uSv/hr (x31 London). However, the big difference is that cosmic rays pass straight throught the body - they aren't absorbed, so exposure is limited to the actual time at altitude...

...Those working inside the reactor hall are allowed to work for two minutes a month, and are paid ten times the national average salary...

...Driving through Chernobyl is a strange experience, as there are people walking down the streets. Not many people, true, but it could still pass for an ordinary town on a very quiet Sunday...