Chapters authored
Ethical Values in Radiation Protection
The subject of bioethics probably first began appearing in radiation protection terminology when the reference was being made to the survivors of the atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This chapter, therefore, referring to the history of radiation protection since X-ray and radium radiation sources, addresses the nightmare of atomic bombs based on a review of original data and endeavors to determine what the role of ethics is in the radiation protection system as applied to our daily lives constituent to these horrific events. Somatic effects, as differentiated from genetic effects, or late somatic effects are discussed, and an introduction to stochastic effects is also made. It should be noted that a linear no-threshold (LNT) model has been widely applied to radiation protection systems in its pragmatism to be applied to regulatory authorities. However, the radiation detriment below 50 mSv/y is not clearly explained so far. Even though it is only a model, some countries couple LNT with stochastic effects, believing that “lesser is better” as far as radiation exposure is concerned, with criteria reaching as low as tens of micro Sieverts/year, which is equivalent to one two-hundredth of the average exposure received from nature in our living environment.
Part of the book: Bioethics in Medicine and Society
Nuclear Waste Hazard Reduction
This chapter reviews the history of nuclear fuel reprocessing. The implementation of President Carter’s International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Evaluation (INFCE) Program hinders the sound fostering of nuclear fuel cycle technologies in the USA and scattered their nuclear engineers to other fields of industries. They once wanted to contribute to developing the “Atoms for Peace Policy.” The statement by President Carter changed the nuclear fuel policy as if direct disposal of spent nuclear fuels was quite normal and nuclear fuel reprocessing exceptional. Although the purpose of INFCE is to stop the proliferation of atomic bombs, we experienced and witnessed the proliferation of atomic bombs, despite the banning of nuclear fuel recycling policy for civil purposes. This chapter focuses on “Atoms for Peace” and gives the future perspectives of the nuclear power system at a glance at global ecology. The unnecessary fear of radiation and radioactive substances through the mushroom cloud over Nagasaki and Hiroshima will be discussed as societally important aspects for our future.
Part of the book: Recycling Strategy and Challenges Associated with Waste Management Towards Sustaining the World