Evaluation of energy related risk acceptance (APHA energy task force)
Living in a technological society with large energy requirements involves a number of related actities with attendant health risks, both to the working and to the general public. Therefore, the formulation of some general principles for risk acceptance is necessary. In addition to maximizing benefits and minimizing risk, relevant considerations must be made about the perception of risk as voluntary or involuntary, the number of persons collectively at risk at any one occasion, and the extent to which a risk is a familiar one. With regard to a given benefit, such as a given amount of energy, comparisons of the risks of alternate modes of production may be utilized. However, cost-benefit consideration is essential to the amelioration of current or prospective risks. This is unusual, since it is based on some estimate of the monetary value per premature death averted. It is proposed that increased longevity would be a more satisfactory measure. On a societal basis, large expenditures for additional energy-related pollution control do not appear justifiable since much larger, nonenergy-related health risks are relatively underaddressed. Knowledgeable health professionals could benefit the public by imparting authoritative information in this area.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, N.Y. (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- EY-76-C-02-0016
- OSTI ID:
- 5276293
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-23471; CONF-771082-1; TRN: 78-004434
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 105. American Public Health Association, Washington, DC, USA, 30 Oct 1977
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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CHEMICAL EFFLUENTS
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ENERGY FACILITIES
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HUMAN POPULATIONS
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WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
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