Risk perception and nuclear emergency management in Belgium

This paper analyzes and compares the results from two public opinion surveys on risk perception carried out in Belgium in 2002 and 2006. We discuss the risk perception of activities involving radioactivity and the and confidence in authorities and other actors. Special attention is given to the perception of the Chernobyl accident and the reliability of the information about the accident. The results show no significant differences in risk perception of nuclear waste and nuclear installations as compared to chemical analogues. The context of occurrence of radioactivity seems to play an important role, medical applications and naturally occurring radioactivity being characterized by lower risk perception than nuclear installations or waste.