Effects of the Chernobyl accident on public perceptions of nuclear plant accident risks
- Michigan State Univ., East Lansing (USA)
Assessments of public perceptions of the characteristics of a nuclear power plant accident and affective responses to its likelihood were conducted 5 months before and 1 month after the Chernobyl accident. Analyses of data from 69 residents of southwestern Washington showed significant test-retest correlations for only 10 of 18 variables--accident likelihood, three measures of impact characteristics, three measures of affective reactions, and hazard knowledge by governmental sources. Of these variables, only two had significant changes in mean ratings; frequency of thought and frequency of discussion about a nearby nuclear power plant both increased. While there were significant changes only for two personal consequences (expectations of cancer and genetic effects), both of these decreased. The results of this study indicate that more attention should be given to assessing the stability of risk perceptions over time. Moreover, the data demonstrate that experience with a major accident can actually decrease rather than increase perceptions of threat.
- OSTI ID:
- 6320404
- Journal Information:
- Risk Analysis; (USA), Vol. 10:3; ISSN 0272-4332
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
NEOPLASMS
RADIOINDUCTION
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
ATTITUDES
CHERNOBYLSK-4 REACTOR
GENETIC RADIATION EFFECTS
PUBLIC OPINION
RADIATION HAZARDS
RISK ASSESSMENT
ACCIDENTS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
DISEASES
ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
GENETIC EFFECTS
GRAPHITE MODERATED REACTORS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
LWGR TYPE REACTORS
POWER REACTORS
RADIATION EFFECTS
REACTORS
THERMAL REACTORS
WATER COOLED REACTORS
560151* - Radiation Effects on Animals- Man
560161 - Radionuclide Effects
Kinetics
& Toxicology- Man