Studies of risks from different energy sources: Methodological comme nts

Research into the risks of different energy sources has been under way for some time. The new element is that of comparison. The studies fall into three categories. First, study of a specific risk. This applies, for example, to studies on silicosis in miners, or cases of electrocution and asphyxia due to combustion gases. The main aim originally was to make a medical assessment of the risks: clinical and biological description, prognosis, treatment, recording and treatment of complications and after-effects. Since then, epidemiological studies have been carried out on various risks and, as a result of long series of statistics, it is now possible to assess risk growth as a function on many factors. A second type of research consists of examining, for one specific risk, all the problems posed by a particular energy source. An example of this is the irradiation resulting from nuclear power production at different stages of the fuel cycle. The third type of study is relatively recent and allows effective comparisons to be made between different energy sources. The goals of these studies are ambitious. They aim at covering: (a) all risks; (b) all activities which are part of the establishment, smooth running and dismantling of the facilities required for an energy system