Low-Level Radioactive Waste

Thinking through the issue of nuclear waste as it relates to public health is complicated for a number of reasons. First, the history of nuclear energy is related to nuclear weapons and weapons testing. This legacy is one of devastating health effects and delayed justice for many survivors of nuclear fallout (“downwinders”). Many communities, particularly indigenous peoples and the poor, have also experienced severe health effects as a result of uranium mining. Second, those in positions of authority in nuclear industries and regulatory bodies have not, historically, been transparent with the public regarding the health effects of radioactive materials. As a result, the public has lost trust in official proclamations regarding safety. Third, the debates over nuclear waste and its effects have been deeply polarizing—those in the nuclear industry have pointed to the industry's excellent safety record, while critics of nuclear power and the weapons complex point to the potential for catastrophic risk, industry cover-ups, and problems with security and waste management. Few have sought—or been able to defend—a middle ground.

Perhaps most important, scientists and engineers who study nuclear waste and its health effects must deal with a tremendous amount of uncertainty. Scientists are trained to deal with uncertainty in particular ways: there are always unknowns that must be managed in the performance of science. However, scientists may struggle to effectively engage with the public on this issue, perhaps because they have been educated to communicate and understand risk and uncertainty in ways specific to their disciplines or professions. The public also may have good reasons to mistrust scientific “experts” on the issue of radioactive waste. Anything labeled nuclear or radioactive can carry a host of negative associations for citizens and communities. Such associations may be rooted in rational responses, lived experience, or communal wisdom and are often misunderstood or dismissed by scientists and engineers. These conflicts can make productive, respectful communication about nuclear waste challenging.