Data and Documents

REALISM -
In Engineering and Analysis of the Sources and Consequences of Radioactivity in Using Nuclear Technologies

President's Special Session on Realism

Organized by Ted Rockwell at the request of the ANS President (2004), Larry Foulke

One of the goals of the American Nuclear Society is to be a credible source of information about nuclear science and technology. This special session is aimed at providing credible information that can be used to challenge the false premises that have led to "impending doom" consequences so often associated with descriptions of nuclear accidents.

Senior engineering experts will provide scientific information to show that the consequences of a nuclear accident could not be catastrophic.

There is relevant experimental and analytical work about the physical processes that limit how much radioactivity can be released and govern how far radioactive material can disperse as a public health threat.

Overstating the consequences of nuclear accidents isn't just conservative; it's simply wrong.

False assessments of the consequences can lead to inappropriate actions by populations and public officials.