An Ecological Multidisciplinary Approach to Protecting Society, Human Health, and the Environment at Nuclear Facilities

Abstract

As the United States and other countries move toward a greater reliance on nuclear energy, it becomes increasingly important to characterize the environment around such facilities to protect society, human health, and the environment. This article presents an ecological, multidisciplinary approach to gathering the information needed to establish baselines, site new nuclear facilities, protect existing nuclear facilities and nuclear wastes, improve the basis for emergency planning, devise suitable monitoring schemes to ensure continued protection, provide data to track local and regional response changes, and provide for mitigation, remediation, and decommissioning planning. We suggest that there are five categories of information or data needs: (1) geophysical, sources, fate and transport; (2) biological systems; (3) human health; (4) stakeholder and environmental justice; and (5) societal, economic, and political. All of these categories are influenced by temporal and spatial patterns, vulnerabilities, and global changes. These informational needs are more expansive than the traditional site characterization but encompass a suite of physical, biological, and societal needs to protect all aspects of human health and the environment, not just physical health. We suggest that technical teams be established for each of the major informational categories, with appropriate representation among teams and with a broad involvement of a range of governmental personnel, natural and social scientists, Native Americans, environmental justice communities, and other stakeholders. Although designed for nuclear facilities, the templates and information teams can be adapted for other hazardous facilities. O Recent years have seen a growing interest in building new nuclear power plants in many countries, including the United States, Canada, and Mexico (Hagen, 2008). Five facts are emerging: (1) expectations for nuclear power are rising, (2) one size (or type) of nuclear facility does not fit all situations and countries, (3) nuclear energy has to be economically viable, (4) the economic viability of any energy source fluctuates with the availability and price for other sources of energy (McDonald, 2009), and (5) nuclear energy will be acceptable only within a framework of protection of human health and the environment (Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission [CNSC], 2008; Nuclear Regulatory Commission [NRC], 2004. Further, the potential interruption of energy supply provides a threat to national security and global stability (Alm, 1981;Waltar, 2002). The public, scientists, governmental agencies, managers, and public policymakers recognize the importance of protecting human health and the environment around nuclear facilities, particularly in light of the recent events at the nuclear power plant in Fukushima, Japan. In the United States, nuclear facilities are licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (2004).Although the Fukushima disaster has dampened enthusiasm for expanding nuclear energy, the disaster and its causes and conseq...