Hazards

Addresses the moral, scientific, and commercial questions inherent in hazards management. This work discusses about regulating hazards that arise from chronic, low-level exposures and from low-probability events when science is unable to assign causes. It examines fairness in the distribution of risks and benefits of hazardous technologies.

---

"In the burgeoning literature on technological hazards, this volume is one of the best," states Choice in a three-part approach, it addresses the moral, scientific, social, and commercial questions inherent in hazards management. Part I discusses how best to regulate hazards arising from chronic, low-level exposures and from low-probability events when science is unable to assign causes or estimate consequences of such hazards; Part II examines fairness in the distribution of risks and benefits of potentially hazardous technologies; and Part III presents practical lessons and cautions about managing hazardous technologies. Together, the three sections put hazard management into perspective, providing a broad spectrum of views and information.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
INTRODUCTION: EMERGING ISSUES IN HAZARD MANAGEMENT
REFERENCE
PART 1 UNCERTAINTY
Science and Its Limits: The Regulator's Dilemma
SCIENCE AND RARE EVENTS
"Scientific" Approaches to Rare Events
Low-Level Exposure
How Science Reacts to Intrinsic Uncertainty
THE ATTACK ON SCIENCE FROM THE SOCIOLOGY OF KNOWLEDGE
Technological Fix
The De Minimis Principle
CONCLUSIONS
REFERENCES
Causality of a Given Cancer After Known Radiation Exposure
ACCIDENTAL HARM IN POPULATIONS OF EXPOSED PERSONS
QUANTAL RESPONSE IN A POPULATION OF HARMED PERSONS
RADIOTHERAHY OR ACCIDENTAL HIGH-LEVEL RADIATION EXPOSURE
LOW-LEVEL EXPOSURE OF NORMAL POPULATIONS
RADIOBIOLOGICAL RESPONSE FUNCTIONS
PROBABILITY OF CAUSATION IN CANCER CASES
References
Dealing With Uncertainty About Risk in Risk Management
Risk Assessment Policy
Is Conservatism Protective?
The Social Costs of Error
Resource Constraints and Risk Management
Risk Transfers
CONSERVATISM IN RISK ASSESSMENT: COMMENTS
DE MINIMIS RISK
De Minimis Risk and Conflicting Social Objectives
Individual Versus Societal Definition of De Minimis Risk
Applying the De Minimis Concept
References
Scientists, Engineers, and the Burdens of Occupational Exposure: The Case of the Lead Standard
BACKGROUND OF THE OSHA LEAD STANDARD
HEARINGS ON THE OSHA STANDARD: SCIENCE, POLITICS, AND THE CLASH OF INTERESTS
THE FINAL LEAD STANDARD
CONCLUSIONS
References
PART 2 EQUITY AND COMPENSATION
Hypersusceptibility to Occupational Hazards
HYPERSUSCEPTIBLE GROUPS
SCREENING AND MONITORING
FAIRNESS
References
The Bhopalization of American Tort Law
Bipolarity
Timeliness
The Driving Force
CAN THE LEGAL SYSTEM COPE?
Regressive Incentives
Kindling the Flames
The Writing on the Wall
Institutional Competence
Deferring to the Experts
Compensating Victims
PUBLIC RISKS AND POLITICAL LEGITIMACY
NOTES
References
THE PRINCIPLE OF FORESEEABILITY
Fire and Wind Cases
Product Liability Cases
THE PRINCIPLE OF JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY WITHOUT CONTRIBUTION
New Determinants of Duty
Mandatory Allocation of Damages Among Responsible Parties
References
Hazardous Waste Facility Siting: Community, Firm, and Governmental Perspectives
The Need for a Systems Approach
Risk Uncertainty
Public Perception of Risk
Equity and the Ethics of Risk Imposition
Institutional Distrust
Communicating Risk to the Public
Problem and Institutional Mismatch
Approach 1: Locational Opportunism
Approach 2: Imposition by Central Authority
Approach 3: Bartered Consent
Approach 4: Fairness-Centered Process
Conceptualizing the Siting Problem
An Ethical Base for Siting
Risk Reduction and Safety Assurance
The Role of Compensation
References
Hazard Compensation and Incentive Systems: An Economic Perspective
PROBLEM CHARACTERISTICS
DESIGNING INCENTIVE SYSTEMS FOR PROTECTIVE ACTIVITIES
Broadening the Time Horizon
Penalties and Fines
COMPENSATION IN SITING TECHNOLOGICAL FACILITIES
Wes-Con, Inc.
Wes-Con, Inc.
Self-Insurance Funds
Integrating Stakeholders and Stages
Eliciting Preferences for Communities
CONCLUSIONS
References
PART 3 MANAGING TECHNOLOGICAL HAZARDS
Economic, Legal, and Practical Problems in Hazardous Waste Cleanup and Management
HOW CLEAN IS CLEAN?
Harris Corporation
Sapp Battery Salvage
Jacksonville
Whitehouse Oil Pits
Tower Chemical
Liability Insurance
Cleanup Delays
Sovereign Immunity
PRACTICAL PROBLEMS
PROSPECTS FOR LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT
National Small-Quantity Generator Survey
Amnesty Days
The Case for Transfer Stations
Another Alternative: Incineration
CONCLUSION
Focusing Private-Sector Action on Public Hazards
CLEAN SITES INC.: GOALS AND ORGANIZATION
WHAT CAN CLEAN SITES INC. DO?
DIRECTIONS FOR THE FUTURE
References
Three Mile Island and Bhopal: Lessons Learned and Not Learned
LESSONS FOR INDUSTRY
LESSONS FOR REGULATORS
THE PUBLIC
SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS
References
Managing Technological Hazards: Success, Strain, and Surprise
INSTITUTIONS OF HAZARD MANAGEMENT
THE PERSISTENCE OF SURPRISE
LIMITS TO HAZARD MANAGEMENT
TECHNOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIORAL FIXES
SHIFTING ATTITUDES, INSTITUTIONS, AND ACTIVITIES
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
References
ABOUT THE AUTHORS