Risk Communication, What Is Acceptable Risk?

Open up conversation during your next community meeting with these two photos and the topic of what is acceptable risk and it is likely to stimulate some lively discussion.

Nuclear power and the effects of exposure to ionizing radiation are well known however still pose a major source of misunderstanding and concern to the general public. The Hiroshima and Nagasaki aftermath of 1945 and beyond as well as the 3-mile island and Chernobyl accidents still overshadow many people when they are presented any scientific data that suggest there is a safe level of radiation exposure for the general public.

The below factoid is from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission homepage to summarize the amount of ionizing radiation an average citizen may encounter and the some general comparisons to balance other common life choices known have some risk.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has also focused on the effects of radiation to the unborn child. In utero exposure for a pregnant occupational radiation worker should be limited to below 500 mrem for the entire gestation period. This level is well within the margin of annual background radiation exposure deemed safe for the general public.

So how does radiation effect us? It can injure, destroy or mutate cells and when discussing low level or chronic exposure, the concern is increase chance of developing cancer. These are the primary focal points when biology is applied to the science of measuring risk. With cancer being the second cause of death in the US (565,650 in 2008), radiation exposure kept as low as reasonable achievable and within the prescribed Nuclear Regulatory Commission limits is the best way to keep each individuals risk to the minimum.

As chapter 14 of Quantitative Risk Assessment suggests, addressing the human element is often the most important aspect of bridging risk related information from the science perspective to that of the public. For purposes of this, lets assume the opening presentation was to introduce the proposal of building a new nuclear powerplant in your backyard. Regardless of the potential economic stimulus for the community, the primary fear will likely be risk and needs to be addressed at the local citizen level. As wise public speakers advise, know the audiance and listen to them. Address their concerns in a way to allow them to undersatnd the science of the decision process.

Websites utilized:

www.nrc.gov

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts149.htm

www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owndisp.show_document?p-table=FEDERAL_REGISTER&p_id=18341

Photo 1-http://www.google.com/images?q=tbn:inkOZDXb9CD-7M::Media-

Photo 2-http://www.our-energy.com/pictures/energy_facts/nuclear_powerplant