RISK COMPARISONS FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF SPENT FUEL FROM NUCLEAR REACTORS

In summary, on the basis of calculated estimates, tests and accident statistics, the transport of spent nuclear fuel by whatever means has been shown to represent an infitesimally small risk to the public, wherever they may be located enroute. This conclusion is based on three points (1) the probability of an accident involving spent fuel is small, (2) the probability that this hypothetical accident releases radioactive materials is even smaller and (3) the public health consequences of such a release are trivial. It hardly seems to warrant the extensive assessment that it has received. If the risk to the public is of concern, this attention and analysis might have been more profitable spent on the improvement of the safety of the transport of a wide variety of other hazardous substances, which at present are given little if any prior scrutiny. (ERA citation 10:030023)

• Corporate Authors:

  Brookhaven National Laboratory

  Associated Universities, Incorporated
  Upton, NY  United States  11973
• Authors:
  • Hull, A P
  • Lessard, E T
• Publication Date: 1985-4

Media Info

• Pagination: 9 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Electromagnetic radiation; Freight transportation; Hazardous materials; Hazards; Nuclear fuels; Public health; Risk assessment
• Subject Areas: Energy; Freight Transportation; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I81: Accident Statistics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00454399
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: BNL-36390-Rev
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 31 1986 12:00AM