Risk Perception Shadows

Abstract

The effects of radiation on humans are not clearly understood or agreed upon by scientists. Thus in any situation involving potential risk from radiation, the scientific assessment of facts—"probabilistic risk assessment"—is almost always disputed among experts. The public's assessment of risk—" risk perception"—is made even more complex by the many types of radiation and the fact that radiation is closely associated with controversial issues such as the potential of nuclear war and waste disposal problems. Given this milieu, the public has few firm standards against which to test their own perceptions of what radiation will or will not do to them and what can or cannot be done. to protect them from radioactivity. It is argued here that two factors—previous experience with analogous projects, and existing levels of trust in companies and agencies associated with radio activity—are important informing the public's radio activity—related risk perception