title: Perceived environmental and health risks of nuclear energy in Taiwan after Fukushima nuclear disaster.
abstract: After the nuclear disaster in Fukushima in Japan in 2011, a nation-wide survey using a standardized self-administered questionnaire was conducted in Taiwan, with a sample size of 2,742 individuals including the residents who live within and beyond 30 km from a nuclear power plant (NPP), to evaluate the participants' perceived nuclear risk in comparison with their perceived risks from selected environmental hazards and human behaviors. The three leading concerns of nuclear energy were "nuclear accidents (82.2%)," "radioactive nuclear waste disposal (76.9%)" and "potential health effects (73.3%)." Respondents (77.6%) perceived a higher relative risk of cancer incidence for those who live within 30 km from an NPP than those who live outside 30 km from an NPP. All the participants had a higher risk perception of death related to "nuclear power operation and nuclear waste" than cigarette smoking, motorcycling, food poisoning, plasticizer poisoning and traveling by air. Moreover, the residents in Gongliao where the planned fourth NPP is located had a significantly higher perceived risk ratio (PRR) of cancer incidence (adjusted odd ratio (aOR)=1.84, p value=0.017) and perceived risk of death (aOR=4.03, p value<0.001) related to nuclear energy. The other factors such as female gender (aOR/p value, 1.25/0.026 and 1.34/0.001 respectively), lower education levels (aOR/p value: 1.31/0.032; 2.03/<0.001) and the participants' concerns about nuclear accidents (aOR/p value: 1.33/0.022; 1.51/<0.001) and potential health effects (aOR/ p value: 2.95/ <0.001; 2.56/<0.001) were found to be commonly associated with the PRRs of "cancer incidence" and "perceived risk of death" related to nuclear energy, respectively. In addition, the respondents' concerns about nuclear waste disposal and possible eco-environmental damage made significant contributions (aOR/ p value: 1.39/ 0.001; 1.40/<0.001) to predict their perceived risk of death related to nuclear power. These factors are considered as important indicators and they can be used for suggesting future policy amendments and public referendum on the decision of the operation of the planned NPP.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, College of Public Health and Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jung-Chun
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.affiliation: Griffith Health Institute and School of Medicine, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Australia.
authors.forename: Chiao-Tzu Patricia
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, Fo Guang University, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shu-Fen
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, College of Public Health and Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ruey-Yu
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, College of Public Health and Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Marco C F
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ieong
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, College of Public Health and Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hung-Lun
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Tzu-chi University, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wan-Hua
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.affiliation: Department of Maritime Policing, Taiwan Police College, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chun-Chiao
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Tzeng
authors.affiliation: Department of International and Mainland China Affairs, National Quemoy University, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Cheng-Fung
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: National Taipei Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Suei-Loong
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, College of Public Health and Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan; National Taipei Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan. Electronic address: peter.chang3@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Peter Wushou
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D062406:Fukushima Nuclear Accident; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D009678:Nuclear Energy; D055848:Nuclear Power Plants; D010465:Perception; D011850:Radioactive Waste; D012306:Risk; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D011850:Radioactive Waste
keywords: Nuclear accident; Nuclear power plant; Perceived health risk; Public concerns