Radioactive Waste: Technical and Normative Aspects of its Disposal (Ethics of Science and Technology Assessment (38))

Radioactive waste (above all highly radioactive wastes from nuclear installations) caused by research, medicine and technology must be disposed of safely. However both the strategies disputed for the disposal of radioactive waste as well as concrete proposals for choosing a location for final waste disposal are highly debatable. An appropriate disposal must conform to both complex, technical requirements and fulfill the radio-biological conditions to appropriately protect man and nature. Ethical, legal and social conditions must also be considered. An interdisciplinary team from various, relevant fields compiled the current status-quo and developed criteria and strategies, which on the one hand meet the requirements of optimal warning and prevention of risk for present and future generations, and additionally on the other hand meet the needs of what current society agrees what is expected to be allowed. This study can be understood as an advanced and continuing contribution to the corresponding scientific specialized debates, due to its interdisciplinary treatment. At the same time it serves as a fundamentally informing contribution to public and political debates, offering an easily comprehensible executive summary and precise content recommendations. Waste caused by the use of radioactive material in research, medicine and technologies, above all high level waste from nuclear power plants, must be disposed of safely. However, the strategies discussed for the disposal of radioactive waste as well as proposals for choosing a proper site for final waste disposal are strongly debated. An appropriate disposal must satisfy complex technical requirements and must meet stringent conditions to appropriately protect man and nature from risks of radioactivity over very long periods. Ethical, legal and social conditions must be considered as well. An interdisciplinary team of experts from relevant fields compiled the current status and developed criteria as well as strategies which meet the requirements of safety and security for present and future generations. The study also provides specific recommendations that will improve and optimize the chances for the selection of a repository site implementing the participation of stakeholders including the general public and not neglecting the responsibility of the legal institutions. The study provides an advanced and, due to its interdisciplinary approach, novel contribution to the corresponding scientific debates including normative and social aspects of acceptability and acceptance. At the same time it serves as a contribution to public and political debates presenting an easily comprehensible executive summary and describing practicable recommendations Front Matter....Pages - Front Matter....Pages 1-9 Zusammenfassung....Pages 11-33 Schlussfolgerungen und Empfehlungen....Pages 34-55 Front Matter....Pages 57-64 Executive summary....Pages 67-86 Conclusions and recommendations....Pages 87-107 Front Matter....Pages 109-109 Waste management strategies and disposal design....Pages 111-199 Radiation risk and radiological protection....Pages 200-233 Management of high level radioactive waste with reference to long-term responsibility....Pages 234-264 Legal questions of managing high level radioactive waste....Pages 265-336 Guidlines for a socially acceptable and fair site selection....Pages 337-351 Front Matter....Pages 353-353 Annex 1: Some fundamental data for the assessment of radiation risk and radiological protection....Pages 355-369 Annex 2: Legal questions – comparative experience in selected countries....Pages 370-430 Back Matter....Pages - Einleitung -- Zusammenfassung -- Schlussfolgerungen Und Empfehlungen -- Introduction -- Executive Summary -- Conclusions And Recommendations -- Waste Management Strategies And Disposal Design -- Radiation Risk And Radiological Protection -- Management Of High Level Radioactive Waste With Reference To Long-term Responsibility -- Legal Questions Of Managing High Level Radioactive Waste -- Guidlines [i.e. Guidelines] For A Socially Acceptable And Fair Site Selection -- Annex 1: Some Fundamental Data For The Assessment Of Radiation Risk And Radiological Protection -- Annex 2: Legal Questions -- Comparative Experience In Selected Countries. Christian Streffer ... [et Al.]. Includes Bibliographical References. English And German. Annotation This volume offers a description of the technical concepts and the legal situation regarding radioactive waste in different countries. It provides a fundamentally informing contribution and considers the ethical, legal and social aspects of this topic