An essential reference for journalists, activists, and students, this book presents scientifically accurate and accessible overviews of 24 of the most important issues in the nuclear realm, including: health effects, nuclear safety and engineering, TMI and Chernobyl, nuclear medicine, food irradiation, transport of nuclear materials, spent fuel, nuclear weapons, global warming.
Each "brief" is based on interviews with named scientists, engineers, or administrators in a nuclear specialty, and each has been reviewed by a team of independent experts. The objective is not to make a case for or against nuclear-related technologies, but rather to provide definitive background information. (The approach is based on that of The Reporter's Environmental Handbook, published in 1988, which won a special award for journalism from the Sigma Delta Chi Society of professional journalists.)
Other features of the book include: a glossary of hundreds of terms, an introduction to risk assessment, environmental and economic impacts, and public perceptions, an article by an experienced reporter with recommendations about how to cover nuclear issues, quick guides to the history of nuclear power in the United States, important federal legislation and regulations, nuclear position statements, and key organizations, print and electronic resources.
Autorentext
Three of the authors (Greenberg, Lowrie, and Mayer) have for more than a decade done nuclear waste research and review work as part of their association with the Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation. The authors are also associated with the National Center for Neighborhood and Brownfield Redevelopment at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers. Greenberg also serves as associate editor for environmental health for the American Journal of Public Health and as editor-in-chief of Risk Analysis, where Lowrie serves as managing editor. West is Co-Chair of the Health Systems and Policy Department at UMDNJ School of Public Health.
Inhalt
Contents Preface and Acknowledgments
Part I. Getting Started
How to Use the Handbook
Why Now? Why This Discussion?
Crosscutting Themes
Covering Nukes: Play Hard, but Play Fair
Part II. Briefs
Section 1: Radionuclides and Human Health Effects
Section 2: Nuclear Energy and Other Civilian Uses
Sustainability: Will There Be Enough Uranium and Nuclear Fuel and At What Cost?
Closing the Civilian Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Spent (Used) Nuclear Fuel : The Opportunity and the Challenge
Nuclear Power Plant Safety Systems
Three Mile Island and Chernobyl: What Happened and Lessons Learned
Decommissioning Nuclear Facilities
Transportation of Nuclear Waste
The Economics of Nuclear Power
Civilian Uses of Radiation and Radioactive Material (Other than Commercial Nuclear Power)
Other Sources Relevant to Section 2
Section 3: Nuclear Waste Management
Nuclear Waste Policy in the U.S: Classification, Management and Disposition
Monitoring and Surveillance of Nuclear Waste Sites
Impact of Radionuclides and Nuclear Waste Management on Non-Humans and Ecosystems
Long-Term Surveillance and Maintenance at Closed Nuclear Waste Sites
Other Sources Relevant to Section 3
Section 4: Nuclear Weapons, Terrorism, and Non-Proliferation
Managing the Nuclear Weapons Legacy
Dirty Bombs (Radiological Dispersa Devices)
Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Protecting Nuclear Power Plants Against Terrorism
International Agencies and Policy
Other Sources Relevant to Section 4
Section 5: Risk Perception and Risk Communication
Global Warming and Fuel Sources
Public Perceptions of Risk and Nuclear Power, Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Waste
Risk Communications about Nuclear Materials
Other Sources Relevant to Section 5
Part III. Additional Resources
History of Nuclear Power in the United States and Worldwide
Important Federal Legislation and Regulations
List of American Nuclear Society Positions
Background About Key Organizations Related to US Nuclear Programs
Key Sources
Glossary
Contributors
Index