Abstract: To determine how the Chornobyl(Chernobyl) nuclear accident and other environmental issues in Ukraine are connected with issues of personal and social identity, physical health and safety, as well as economic security, information was analyzed from focus group materials, modified oral histories with environmental activists and official documents. Rather than attempting to assess the overall impacts of Chornobyl, this research was a small effort to place some people's reactions to the Chornobyl accident within the context of social and environmental changes in the former Soviet Union over the past ten years. The use of qualitative research methodologies in environmental assessments is discussed and advocated.

The paper presents a documented history of the Chornobyl catastrophe and an overview of current environmental issues in Ukraine. An analysis of in-depth interviews and focus group transcripts shows that the Chornobyl nuclear accident continues to be linked to most Ukrainian social and ecological problems. In addition to general issues of economic decline and lack of government concern and funding, health problems were most often mentioned. Both direct genetic, endocrine, blood and immune system problems and indirect psychological stress and chronic illnesses are attributed, at least initially, to the accident. People also remain concerned about the long-term safety of their food and water supplies.

The paper also discusses the increased social tensions as a result of the three million people who have official status as disaster victims (Chornobylets). Relocation and resettlement efforts have as yet uncapped economic and human costs. The plight of the "liquidators", over 650,000 people from all over the former Soviet Union who were called in to help with the accident, or who volunteered to help with clean-up efforts is also reviewed. The activists interviewed had different approaches to addressing natural resource issues, but all concluded that future environmental policies in Ukraine necessarily will be tied to how these social problems are resolved.