Risk communication in the recovery phase after a nuclear accident: the contribution of the “co-expertise process”

Abstract

Risk communication in post-nuclear accident situations faces many challenges related to the limited knowledge of experts about the actual situation in the affected communities, as well as of the affected people about radiological risk combined with their distrust of authorities and experts. In such an anxiety-provoking context, the co-expertise approach recommended by the ICRP combining technical expertise, citizen participation and two-way communication has shown that it was an effective approach for restoring trust between the experts and the people concerned and developing, among the latter, a practical radiological protection culture. In essence, technical-oriented risk communication is not sufficient alone. A dialogue with affected people is necessary in combination with measurements of radiation associated with their daily life in order to gain their participation in the co-expertise process and to progressively restore confidence in them and trust in authorities and experts. The article highlights the salient features of the co-expertise process in relation to risk communication.