Public Participation in Hazard . Management : The Use of Cjtizen Panels in the U

Introduction Americans increasingly question decisions of professional risk managers. This trend is most apparent in the areas of nuclear, hazardous chemical and solid waste management. Professionals and the general public strongly disagree about the seriousness of many risks'! The professionals use the expected losses per time unit as the major yardstick to evaluate risks. The public is more concerned about long term effects, inequitable siting. lack of personal control, and the pace of teclmological diffusion into their cultural environment. Citizens also distrust the ability to monitor and control unintended consequences.2