Impacts of Hazardous Technology

The Psycho-Social Effects of Restarting TMI-I

Edited by John Sorenson, Jon Soderstrom, Emily Copenhaver, and Sam Cornes

Series: SUNY series in Environmental Public Policy
Paperback : 9780887063336, 233 pages, December 1986
Hardcover : 9780887063329, 233 pages, December 1986

Table of contents

Figures

Tables

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

1. TMI Restart: Setting the Scene

2. TMI Restart and Environmental Policy

3. Defining Relevant Issues: A Logical Perspective on Restart

4. Examining the Issues: Perspectives from Social Science Research

5. The Accident and Restart

6. Forecasting the Impacts

7. Mitigating the Impacts

8. Implications for Environmental Management

Appendix A. Survey Data

Appendix B. Social Group Profiles

Appendix C. Love Canal, Wilsonville, and TMI Comparisons

Bibliography

Index

Description

This book presents the first thorough evaluation of the psycho-social impacts of hazardous technology. Using a multiple research strategy, the authors show the possible effects of restarting the undamaged reactor at Three Mile Island. The book includes important background information concerning environmental policy, the accident and restart issues, and forecasted impacts and implications for environmental management.

The topic, however, extends well beyond that of TMI and nuclear power. Linkages are made with other environmental problems including chemical accidents such as Bhopal and waste disposal problems such as Love Canal. As these and other types of technological hazards become policy issues, this book will serve as a valuable source on social implications.

John Sorensen, Jon Soderstrom, Emily Copenhaver and Sam Carnes are all on the staff of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Robert Bolin is a professor in the Sociology and Anthropology Department at New Mexico State University.

Reviews

"Theoretically and methodologically, the work is a superior analysis of an issue that has extremely important policy significance. It will bring a significant element of balance to a highly controversial matter. The authors integrate views, concepts, and theories from several social science disciplines in a very effective manner. " -- Thomas E. Drabek