Direct and indirect health and safety impacts of electrical generation options

This report is an analysis of the health and safety risks of seven electrical generation systems, all of which have the potential for commercial availability after the year 2000. The systems are compared on the basis of expected public and occupational deaths and lost workdays associated with average unit generation of 1000 MW(e) per year. The risks and associated uncertainties are estimated for all phases of the energy production cycle, including fuel extraction and processing, on-site construction and system operation and maintenance. Also included are the risks of direct and indirect component manufacture, materials production and energy inputs, all of which are major contributors to the risks of the more capital-intensive solar technologies. The potential significance of major health and safety issues that remain largely unquantifiable are also considered. (author)