Risk with energy from conventional and nonconventional sources
Risk to human health was compared for five conventional and six nonconventional energy systems. The entire cycle for producing energy was considered, not just part. The most important conclusion drawn is that the risk to human health from nonconventional sources can be as high as, or even higher than, that of conventional sources. This result is produced only when the risk per unit energy is considered, rather than the risk per solar panel or windmill. The risk from nonconventional energy sources derives from the large amount of material and labor needed, along with their backup and storage requirements. Risk evaluation is a relatively new discipline, and therefore the results presented here can be considered only a beginning. However, society should keep relative risk in mind when evaluating present and future energy sources. 18 references, 7 figures.
- Research Organization:
- Atomic Energy Control Board, Ottawa, Ontario
- OSTI ID:
- 5810527
- Journal Information:
- Science; (United States), Journal Name: Science; (United States) Vol. 203; ISSN SCIEA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
ACCIDENTS
COAL INDUSTRY
CONVERSION
DEATH
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
DISEASES
ELECTRIC POWER
ENERGY
ENERGY ANALYSIS
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
FURNACES
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HEATING
HEATING SYSTEMS
HYDROELECTRIC POWER
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
INDUSTRY
LABOR
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
MATHEMATICS
NATURAL GAS INDUSTRY
NUCLEAR INDUSTRY
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION
OIL FURNACES
PETROLEUM INDUSTRY
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
POWER
POWER PLANTS
PROBABILITY
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RISK ASSESSMENT
SAFETY
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
SOLAR HEATING
SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
SOLAR INDUSTRY
SOLAR SPACE HEATING
SPACE HEATING
STATISTICS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WIND POWER
WIND POWER PLANTS
WIND TURBINES