Economics of Radiation Protection: Equity Considerations.* T. Schneider and C. Schiebe, CEPN-BP 48-92263 Fontenay-aux-Roses-France; and L. Eeckhoudt, FUCAM-151, Chaussée de Binche - 7000 Mons - Belgium
In order to implement the protective action to reduce radiological exposure, the use of cost-benefit analysis has been progressively promoted among practitioners, especially for the management of occupational exposures in nuclear power plants. Applying this procedure to the selection of radiological protection option, a monetary valuation of the avoided exposure has to be adopted, allowing for the expression of the benefit of protection (i.e. the reduction in exposure related to the implementation of a protection option) in the same unit as the protection costs. Recently, the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) has stressed the need to take into consideration not only the collective exposure to ionizing radiation but also its dispersion in the population when radiological investment are performed and analyzed. In this paper, we discuss how to integrate this recommendation in the valuation of the benefit of protection. It points out the interdependence of the various key parameters included in this monetary valuation and especially the role of the coefficient characterizing the degree of aversion to the dispersion of risks.
*Work partly funded by the Commission of the European Communities - DGXII.