Social considerations relative to the siting of a low-level radioactive waste disposal facility in Canada

This paper discusses a survey and several case studies. The survey, by Decima in Ontario, shows that the public do not distinguish between high-level and low-level wastes, and they do not believe that science knows how to handle the wastes. The U.S. case studies are Hanford, and in Texas. The example of Hanford shows that opposition to a low-level waste disposal site may continue long after it is opened. The author considers that the Texas example shows the futility of seeking opposition instead of seeking an acceptable site. The Canadian examples are of hazardous waste sites (uncomplicated by radioactive waste) in Alberta and Ontario. The choice of Swan Hills in Alberta was determined by the economics of the area; whereas in Ontario, mainly scientific criteria prevailed