Risk of energy technologies
This article briefly reviews health risk estimates presented in the book, Health Risks of Energy Technologies, sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. State-of-the-art estimates of the occupational and public health risks associated with nuclear and coal power generation are presented as well as those associated with some of the less conventional energy technologies, including solar power, biomass, and geothermal. Public perception of risk, philosophical attitudes toward risk, and the global ramifications of risk are also discussed. When judged solely on the basis of fatalities and injuries during normal operation and maintenance, it appears that nuclear power produces the least health impact and coal-fired power plants the highest, with the renewable technologies ranging between the two.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
- OSTI ID:
- 6829469
- Journal Information:
- Nucl. Saf.; (United States), Journal Name: Nucl. Saf.; (United States) Vol. 24:5; ISSN NUSAA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
570000* -- Health & Safety
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COAL
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
FUEL CYCLE
FUELS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
MATERIALS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RISK ASSESSMENT
THERMAL POWER PLANTS