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Tourists take a photo in front of the contained reactor site.
- HBO's "Chernobyl" series has reignited interest in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, a restricted area that allows visitors.
- In recent days, tourists have been criticized for disrespecting the site with raunchy or flippant photos on Instagram.
- Business Insider asked Claire Corkhill, a nuclear waste expert who's been assisting with the Chernobyl cleanup, whether the zone is safe to visit.
- Corkhill said that visitors can expect "very minimal" radiation exposure. A flight from the US is likely to give you more radiation than a Chernobyl tour, she said.
- Visitors should still exercise caution by covering up, staying on the main pathways, and not petting any stray dogs.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
HBO's "Chernobyl" series has reignited public interest in the world's worst nuclear power plant accident.
In recent days, tourists have been criticized for disrespecting the site with raunchy or flippant photos on Instagram, prompting the show's writer to call for greater respect from visitors.
"If you visit, please remember that a terrible tragedy occurred there," writer Craig Mazin said in a tweet on Wednesday. That tragedy took place more than three decades ago, but its effects still linger.
Read more: Russia still has 10 Chernobyl-style reactors that scientists say aren't necessarily safe
On April 26, 1986, the core of a reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant opened, sending plumes of radioactive material into the air surrounding Pripyat, a Ukranian city that was once part of the Soviet Union. Workers are now attempting to clean up the site, which hasn't been fully decontaminated.
We asked Claire Corkhill, a nuclear waste disposal researcher at the University of Sheffield who's been assisting with the Chernobyl cleanup, whether the area is safe to visit.
Corkhill said that visitors can expect "very minimal" radioactive exposure, but she shared a few tips for ensuring your safety.