People worried about the unknown health effects of radiation, were paranoid about the authorities, distressed by the refugee lifestyle. The nuclear explosion caused great environmental damage. Radioactive gases, aerosols, and nuclear fuel particles continuously streamed 1km into the atmosphere for a week. An entire forest was destroyed in the surrounding area because of high radioactivity levels. Some areas even now are without living animals.
Many fish are now inedible which has effected the job market.
Also, a number of farmers have reported mutations in their animals. There are residual risks at Chernobyl. 5 million people still live in contaminated areas. An additional 150,000 live in places where radiation protection is still needed. The remains of the meltdown are encased in concrete, but weathering has allowed for air and water to mix in with the dangerous remains.