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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Comment on societal risk

Journal Article · · Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States)

There is a need to measure societal risk more accurately; to examine and reevaluate our priorities in risk reduction; to determine the level of expenditure for risk reduction beyond which adverse economic and political effects may be overriding; and to develop a national approach to risk management. If our priorities in managing risk are wrong, if we are spending the available resources in a way that is not cost-effective, we are, in effect, killing people whose premature deaths could be prevented. There is some optimal level of resources that should be spent on reducing societal risk, a level beyond which adverse economic and political effects may be overriding. There is need for the development of a national approach to risk management, one that Congress, the President, and the public can support. 23 references.

Research Organization:
Univ. of California, Los Angeles
OSTI ID:
6272824
Journal Information:
Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States), Journal Name: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States) Vol. 208; ISSN SCIEA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English