Psychological distress as a factor in environmental impact assessment: Some methods and ideas for quantifying this intangible intangible

Journal Article · Tue Feb 28 23:00:00 EST 1995 · Environmental Impact Assessment Review

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0195-9255(95)00005-Y· OSTI ID:78100

Egna, H S ^[1]

---

1. Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR (United States)

A case study describing citizens` contentions that restarting Three Mile Island`s nuclear reactor (TMI-1) would cause psychological distress provides historical and legislative impetus for federal agencies to consider psycho-social dimensions in their environmental impact statements (EISs). Although the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) rejected citizens` complaints on the grounds that distress is not easily quantifiable, experts associated with the case noted that the NRC`s contention was not entirely valid and that the National Environmental Protection Act missed a golden opportunity to promote the development of methodology and models for incorporating psychosocial factors into the EIS. This study describes some of the methods that have subsequently been used for measuring distress in the context of technological hazards.

• OSTI ID: 78100
• Journal Information: Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Journal Name: Environmental Impact Assessment Review Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 15; ISSN EIARDK; ISSN 0195-9255
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
ATTITUDES
BEHAVIOR
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS
HUMAN FACTORS
THREE MILE ISLAND-2 REACTOR
US NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT