Evaluation of energy related risk acceptance (APHA energy task force)

Conference · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977

OSTI ID:5276293

Hull, A P

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
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
552000* -- Public Health
570000 -- Health & Safety
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
CHEMICAL EFFLUENTS
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
DECISION MAKING
ENERGY DEMAND
ENERGY FACILITIES
ENERGY SUPPLIES
ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HUMAN POPULATIONS
MASS TRANSFER
PERSONNEL
PLANNING
POLLUTION CONTROL
POPULATIONS
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL