Rebuilding trust in established institutions.
Established institutions responsible for the setting and enforcement of radiation protection standards are facing increased demands from the public to be more accountable. In the past, the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) and others within the radiation protection community have relied chiefly on professional relationships to build trust among government agencies, health care providers, and industry. During the last four decades, the trust of the public in society's institutions has eroded significantly. This diminishment of faith in recognized experts and the unparalleled characteristics of the production, testing, and use of nuclear weapons pose a serious challenge to those within the radiation protection establishment. When other factors such as the limits of scientific knowledge are considered, the issue of trust takes on added significance. This presentation will explore how radiation standard-setters and regulators can build trust by respecting the demands of a skeptical populace for meaningful participation in the decision-making process.
Thomas
J P
JP
Short Cressman & Burgess PLLC, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. jthomas@scblaw.com
D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009938:Organizations; D011639:Public Opinion; D011835:Radiation Protection; D014481:United States