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Understanding Public Response to Nuclear Power Plant Protective Actions
Author(s) -
Walton Fotini,
Wolshon Brian
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
risk, hazards and crisis in public policy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.634
H-Index - 8
ISSN - 1944-4079
DOI - 10.2202/1944-4079.1059
Subject(s) - safer , commission , action (physics) , nuclear power plant , nuclear power , population , public relations , business , telephone survey , radiological weapon , environmental planning , engineering , political science , computer security , marketing , medicine , computer science , environmental health , geography , ecology , physics , finance , radiology , quantum mechanics , nuclear physics , biology
Abstract Among the most important factors affecting the viability of alternative sheltering and evacuation strategies are the views and reactions of the public within the threat zone. If the general population does not believe that undertaking prescribed protective actions will make them safer, or if they do not see protective action messages as credible and practicable, then even the most technically sound plans can be rendered totally ineffective. To gain a deeper understanding of the views and potential reactions of the general public living within nuclear power plant (NPP) Emergency Planning Zones (EPZs) to protective action strategies, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission sponsored focus groups and a national telephone survey of the public living in EPZs. Data from the research can be used by NPP industry officials and emergency planners in developing appropriate protective action recommendations to radiological accidents. Findings of this research can also be extended to other similar types of emergencies or generalized to any emergency condition.