PERCEIVED RISKS OF RADIOACTIVE-WASTE TRANSPORT THROUGH OREGON - RESULTS OF A STATEWIDE SURVEY

Transportation of hazardous materials, and particularly radioactive wa stes, on public highways has become an important risk management issue . The unfavorability of public attitudes regarding hazardous and nucle ar wastes signals the potential for strong public opposition to progra ms for transporting these materials. This paper presents the results o f a survey conducted to assess public reactions to a long-term nuclear waste transport program planned to follow a route through a portion o f rural Oregon. The survey assessed a number of key risk perception is sues, including perceived health and safety risks of nuclear waste tra nsport, relative risks of transport VS. storage at an existing site, t rust in state officials, and satisfaction with life in communities alo ng the transport route. The survey identified a number of attitudes an d concerns that need to be understood and considered by those in charg e of designing and implementing the waste-transportation program.