PENICHE, Portugal—Anya wasn’t even born when Chernobyl exploded nearly 30 years ago, but even today its radioactive fallout stalks her and other Ukrainian youngsters growing up near the disused plant.
The world’s worst nuclear disaster saddled the sparkly-eyed 16-year-old with chronic cardiovascular and respiratory problems, thanks to contamination that lingers in the air, water and ground soil around her village.
A brief break comes each summer when Anya and a few dozen other children and teens trade their homes for a “clean” holiday on Portugal’s west coast.
“A month’s vacation in Portugal can extend their life expectancy by one or two years,” said …read more
Source: The Philippine Daily Inquirer
