Keynote address [given at the sixth IARP conference, Bombay, 7 March 1979]: Risk analysis for fuel cycles

Risks associated with fuel cycles based on fossil fuels, uranium and thorium in thermal reactors are discussed. It is concluded that, since the dose received by individuals living in the periphery of nuclear power station is not significant as compared to that received by natural radiation exposure, the risks with respect to nuclear operations are negligible. People are obsessed with trivial increase in radiation levels due to nuclear operations, hence there is an urgent need to have balanced thinking on the risks of nuclear power vis a vis the hazards of the alternative energy sources. (B.G.W.)