The new millennium: values, perceptions of risk, and the key roles of science and technology

Radiation protection and management of radioactive waste streams and products are certain to be important areas of public policy, worker education, and technology development in the new millennium. Overriding values of freedom, sustainability, transparency, and public participation in decision making about technology's benefits and risks will shape the public policy agenda. Early engagement of stakeholders in the identification and assessment of risks and in communications about risk management will be beneficial in most cases. Putting specific environmental problems into broader public health and ecologic context will be helpful to all parties and will improve decisions about how best to utilize precious resources and enhance public confidence in the process and the outcomes.