Title: Public risk perception of nuclear waste

Authors: Lennart Sjoberg, Britt-Marie Drottz-Sjoberg

Addresses: Center for Risk Psychology, Environment, and Safety, Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; Center for Risk Research, Stockholm School of Economics, Stockholm, Sweden. ' Center for Risk Psychology, Environment, and Safety, Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

Abstract: Nuclear waste has emerged as a very salient issue in the nuclear power debate. In the present study, a broad range of risk perception and attitude dimensions concerned with nuclear waste was investigated. It was found that most respondents from the general public were not willing to accept a local high-level nuclear waste repository in their home region. Nuclear waste was seen, by the public, as a very important issue. Regression analysis of perceived nuclear waste risk yielded a high level of explained variance (about 65%). Fear of radiation appeared to be an important determinant of the perceived risk and so was attitude to nuclear power, risk sensitivity and a pooled measure of the traditional psychometric dimensions of risk perception. A structural equations model of acceptance of a local repository was quite successful in explaining acceptance.

Keywords: nuclear waste; political intentions; risk perception; nuclear power; nuclear energy; public perception; risk assessment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRAM.2009.023156

International Journal of Risk Assessment and Management, 2009 Vol.11 No.3/4, pp.248 - 280

Published online: 12 Feb 2009 *

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