Publication Laka-library:
Radiation risk perception and risk communication in Sweden. Rhizikon Risk Research Report 25 (1996)
| Author | Marie-Louise Bernström |
| Date | February 1996 |
| Classification | 6.01.3.70/67 (NUCLEAR SAFETY - RISK ANALYSES / RISK PERCEPTION) |
| Front | 
|
From the publication:
Background The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the use of ionizing radiation in medicine and industry affects risk perception and to find out how the public and the experts in Sweden perceive the risks associated with ionizing radiation. (1) This subject is of particular interest because people in general probably associate radioactivity with nuclear weapons and the use of nuclear energy for electricity production. Today ionizing radiation is used in many different fields of application, and as a consequence of that the discussion about the possible risks and/or benefits of those techniques is becoming important. Another important implication of the use of ionizing radiation is the uncertainties about consequences of these different applications both in industry and in medicine. Those uncertainties are leading to a general concern for how the use of ionizing radiation in different fields will affect human health, the environment or future generations. From this point of view it is interesting to investigate the public's concern about the risks with ionizing radiation. This paper will focus on the topics of risk perception and risk assessment that could be directly associated to ionizing radiation. The present report is part of a larger EU project dealing with the ionizing radiation risks and the choice has been to study the following risks: Nuclear Waste, Radon, X-rays and Food Irradiation. For all the four risks people probably feel that they can be affected by radiation. However, these risks are imbedded in different social contexts and they stem from different sources. Radon is "natural" in contrast to the other risks stemming from the use of radiation for certain purposes. Radioactive waste comes from the production of energy based on nuclear technology. Food irradiation is used by food producing firms for preservation and elimination of bacteria. The familiar X-rays are an important tool for medical diagnostics. All theses risks are related to very different perceived risk levels and the general public in Sweden probably regards them quite differently.
This publication is only available at Laka on paper, not as pdf.
You can borrow the publication or request a copy. When we're available, this is possible for a small fee.