The Reporter’s Handbook on Nuclear Materials, Energy & Waste Management

An essential reference for journalists, activists, and students, this book presents scientifically accurate and accessible overviews of 24 of the most important issues in the nuclear realm, including: health effects, nuclear safety and engineering, TMI and Chernobyl, nuclear medicine, food irradiation, transport of nuclear materials, spent fuel, nuclear weapons, global warming.Each "e;brief"e; is based on interviews with named scientists, engineers, or administrators in a nuclear specialty, and each has been reviewed by a team of independent experts. The objective is not to make a case for or against nuclear-related technologies, but rather to provide definitive background information. (The approach is based on that of The Reporter's Environmental Handbook, published in 1988, which won a special award for journalism from the Sigma Delta Chi Society of professional journalists.)Other features of the book include: a glossary of hundreds of terms, an introduction to risk assessment, environmental and economic impacts, and public perceptions, an article by an experienced reporter with recommendations about how to cover nuclear issues, quick guides to the history of nuclear power in the United States, important federal legislation and regulations, nuclear position statements, and key organizations, print and electronic resources.

An essential reference for journalists, activists, and students, this book presents scientifically accurate and accessible overviews of 24 of the most important issues in the nuclear realm, including: health effects, nuclear safety and engineering, TMI and Chernobyl, nuclear medicine, food irradiation, transport of nuclear materials, spent fuel, nuclear weapons, global warming.

Each "brief" is based on interviews with named scientists, engineers, or administrators in a nuclear specialty, and each has been reviewed by a team of independent experts. The objective is not to make a case for or against nuclear-related technologies, but rather to provide definitive background information. (The approach is based on that of The Reporter's Environmental Handbook, published in 1988, which won a special award for journalism from the Sigma Delta Chi Society of professional journalists.)

Other features of the book include: a glossary of hundreds of terms, an introduction to risk assessment, environmental and economic impacts, and public perceptions, an article by an experienced reporter with recommendations about how to cover nuclear issues, quick guides to the history of nuclear power in the United States, important federal legislation and regulations, nuclear position statements, and key organizations, print and electronic resources.

Contents Preface and Acknowledgments

Part I. Getting Started

How to Use the Handbook

Why Now? Why This Discussion?

Crosscutting Themes

Covering Nukes: Play Hard, but Play Fair

Part II. Briefs

Section 1: Radionuclides and Human Health Effects

Section 2: Nuclear Energy and Other Civilian Uses

Sustainability: Will There Be Enough Uranium and Nuclear Fuel and At What Cost?

Closing the Civilian Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Spent (Used) Nuclear Fuel : The Opportunity and the Challenge

Nuclear Power Plant Safety Systems

Three Mile Island and Chernobyl: What Happened and Lessons Learned

Decommissioning Nuclear Facilities

Transportation of Nuclear Waste

The Economics of Nuclear Power

Civilian Uses of Radiation and Radioactive Material (Other than Commercial Nuclear Power)

Other Sources Relevant to Section 2

Section 3: Nuclear Waste Management

Nuclear Waste Policy in the U.S: Classification, Management and Disposition

Monitoring and Surveillance of Nuclear Waste Sites

Impact of Radionuclides and Nuclear Waste Management on Non-Humans and Ecosystems

Long-Term Surveillance and Maintenance at Closed Nuclear Waste Sites

Other Sources Relevant to Section 3

Section 4: Nuclear Weapons, Terrorism, and Non-Proliferation

Managing the Nuclear Weapons Legacy

Dirty Bombs (Radiological Dispersa Devices)

Nuclear Non-Proliferation

Protecting Nuclear Power Plants Against Terrorism

International Agencies and Policy

Other Sources Relevant to Section 4

Section 5: Risk Perception and Risk Communication

Global Warming and Fuel Sources

Public Perceptions of Risk and Nuclear Power, Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Waste

Risk Communications about Nuclear Materials

Other Sources Relevant to Section 5

Part III. Additional Resources

History of Nuclear Power in the United States and Worldwide

Important Federal Legislation and Regulations

List of American Nuclear Society Positions

Background About Key Organizations Related to US Nuclear Programs

Key Sources

Glossary

Contributors

Index