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Silent disaster: A European perspective on threat perception from Chernobyl far field fallout
Author(s) -
Tønnessen Arnfinn,
Mårdberg Bertil,
Weisæth Lars
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1023/a:1020961604434
Subject(s) - perspective (graphical) , perception , radioactive fallout , field (mathematics) , psychology , political science , geography , engineering , computer science , neuroscience , nuclear engineering , mathematics , artificial intelligence , pure mathematics
Surveys investigated the perceived threat of radioactive fallout and public coping following a “silent disaster” (Chernobyl) across Europe. Survey data from national representative samples in 12 European countries are compiled, 6 months and 2 years after the accident, across 12 countries. Exposure to information about the accident, and perception of the consequences of Chernobyl as a health threat, were significantly related to the level of fallout in each country. Another significant relationship was found between the level of fallout in these 12 countries and the proportion of respondents who reported having taken countermeasures. Information challenges for the authorities are highlighted.