Public's perception regarding the major impacts of radioactive nuclear waste. A research study in Romania

Like all other human activities, nuclear activities inherently produce waste. Even if the amount of radioactive nuclear waste is small compared with every other waste generated by human, this is a real danger and may produce devastating effects. Radioactive nuclear waste requires a safe management, a very good classification and limitation of releasing of radioactive effluents into the environment. The anticipated big impacts that any nuclear activity releases involve the environmental impacts, human health and safety. Public's perception represents a big challenge mainly when people are asked about harmful activities or technologies, such as radioactive nuclear waste. The aim of this study is to find out the public's perception of the impacts of radioactive nuclear waste. The main research instrument for this analysis is based on questionnaire. This research represents a new approach for the study of people's perception of radioactive nuclear waste in Romania. Public's perception is one of the key factors with influence on the development of nuclear waste technologies. The perception is crucial and may mean more than reality. The impact of radioactive nuclear waste seen through public perception shows the degree of development of storage conditions, both in the short and long term. The study revealed that the public perception regarding radioactive nuclear waste is divided in two major concerns: the potential impacts on the environment and people's health.