1
|
Rääf C, Martinsson J, Eriksson M, Ewald J, Javid RG, Hjellström M, Isaksson M, Rasmussen J, Sterner T, Finck R. Restoring areas after a radioactive fallout: A multidisciplinary study on decontamination. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2023; 270:107268. [PMID: 37597467 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2023.107268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
Land remediation is an important part of restoration measures after a radioactive fallout containing long-lived fission products such as 137Cs. In this multidisciplinary study, we focused on three main issues related to remediation of contaminated urban areas. First, we assessed how much decontamination contributes to reducing resident radiation exposure and how much this reduction depends on the timing of implemented measures. Second, we calculated direct and indirect costs of decontamination in an industrialized country such as Sweden. Finally, in a survey study, we considered reactions of Swedish citizens to being given the hypothetical option of moving to a site decontaminated after radioactive fallout and how this predicted response might influence the design of contingency plans. The main findings are that clean-up operations must be done within the first few years after a fallout to contribute significantly to reducing residual dose. If conducted within 1-2 years, large-scale decontamination can, on average, avert 20-200 manSv per km2 residential area and unit ground deposition of 137Cs (1 MBq). The estimated direct costs (in 2020 purchasing power) would amount to 100 million Euro per km2 decontaminated residential area (comparable to Japanese estimates after the Fukushima accident), generating 39,000 m3 of radioactive waste on average, mainly in the form of 137Cs-contaminated topsoil. In our survey study of 2291 Swedish respondents about their willingness to return to decontaminated homes, women, families with resident children, and high-income earners exhibited more skepticism about returning, even if authorities were to deem it safe. The demographic pattern in attitudes was similar to that found among evacuees in the Fukushima prefecture after 2011. We conclude that predefined ranges of measured 137Cs ground deposition can be used as guidance for rescue leaders in the early post-accident phase in long-term planning for affected areas. This planning should include timing and intensity of decontamination measures, duration of evacuation, and risk communication to citizens. Because some citizens expressed both high risk perception and risk aversion, however, timely and dialogic communication is unlikely to limit a shift after the incident to an older and more male-dominated population composition. There is a risk that those who can afford to do so will move away, whereas people whose wealth is locked in property (houses or businesses) will feel stuck. Perceptions of unfairness may fray the social fabric and complicate resettlement, which in some cases may mean inefficient outlay of decontamination costs. We believe that the issue of monetary compensation to affected residents requires priority in future work.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Rääf
- Medical Radiation Physics, Department of Translational Medicine, Malmö, Lund University, 205 02, Malmö, Sweden.
| | - Johan Martinsson
- Medical Radiation Physics, Department of Translational Medicine, Malmö, Lund University, 205 02, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Mats Eriksson
- Centre for Crisis Communication, School of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, Örebro University, 70182, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Jens Ewald
- Department of Economics, School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, 40530, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Reza G Javid
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, 40530, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Martin Hjellström
- Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 41345, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mats Isaksson
- Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 41345, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Joel Rasmussen
- Centre for Crisis Communication, School of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, Örebro University, 70182, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Thomas Sterner
- Department of Economics, School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, 40530, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Robert Finck
- Medical Radiation Physics, Department of Translational Medicine, Malmö, Lund University, 205 02, Malmö, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kieu M, Senanayake G. Perception, experience and resilience to risks: a global analysis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19356. [PMID: 37935768 PMCID: PMC10630481 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46680-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Individual resilience is crucial amid rising global threats, yet risk perceptions and resilience worldwide remain inadequately elucidated. This research pioneers a global-scale analysis of individual risk perspectives and perceived resilience capacities. Leveraging survey data encompassing over 120 countries, we develop novel indices quantifying subjective risk perceptions, experiences, impacts, and resilience across diverse populations. Causal analysis techniques shed light on the complex dynamics shaping individual confidence in their resilience. We unveil vast disparities in risk impacts arising from differential adaptation rates. Income perception emerges as an outsized driver of resilience globally, though its influence varies contextually. Ultimately, this study challenges universal narratives of homogeneous risk experiences and perceived resilience worldwide. The globally-representative indices and causal insights provide vital evidence to inform context-specific, demographically-attuned interventions for strengthening resilience equitably. This research underscores the urgent need for inclusive policies tailored to localised risk landscapes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minh Kieu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Gayani Senanayake
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rasmussen J, Eriksson M, Martinsson J. Citizens’ Communication Needs and Attitudes to Risk in a Nuclear Accident Scenario: A Mixed Methods Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19137709. [PMID: 35805364 PMCID: PMC9265994 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19137709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
The potential devastation that a nuclear accident can cause to public health and the surrounding environment demands robust emergency preparedness. This includes gaining a greater knowledge of citizens’ needs in situations involving radiation risk. The present study examines citizens’ attitudes to a remediation scenario and their information and communication needs, using focus group data (n = 39) and survey data (n = 2291) from Sweden. The focus groups uniquely showed that adults of all ages express health concerns regarding young children, and many also do so regarding domestic animals. Said protective sentiments stem from a worry that even low-dose radiation is a transboundary, lingering health risk. It leads to doubts about living in a decontaminated area, and high demands on fast, continuous communication that in key phases of decontamination affords dialogue. Additionally, the survey results show that less favorable attitudes to the remediation scenario—worry over risk, doubt about decontamination effectiveness, and preferences to move away from a remediation area—are associated with the need for in-person meetings and dialogue. Risk managers should thus prepare for the need for both in-person meetings and frequent information provision tasks, but also that in-person, citizen meetings are likely to feature an over-representation of critical voices, forming very challenging communication tasks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joel Rasmussen
- Crisis Communication Centre, School of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, Örebro University, 701 82 Örebro, Sweden;
- Correspondence:
| | - Mats Eriksson
- Crisis Communication Centre, School of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, Örebro University, 701 82 Örebro, Sweden;
| | - Johan Martinsson
- Medical Radiation Physics, Lund University, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden;
| |
Collapse
|