Sociology Faculty Publications and Presentations

A Fukushima-Like Disaster in New York City and Possible Issues Associated with the Extreme Event Management System

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-9-2016

Abstract

People living in communities surrounding the Indian Point Nuclear Generating Plant (IPNGP) inevitably face potential risks associated with a nuclear plant issue, which could become a potential extreme event. The study searches for answers to the three research questions: (1) What is the population makeup of those residing nearby the IPNGP (2) Which racial and ethnic groups are more vulnerable to the potential risks associated with the IPNGP (3) Who would be exposed to the radioactive plume if the IPNGP experienced a core-meltdown accident? The study utilizes Radiological Assessment System for Consequence Analysis (RASCAL) computer software code to project the radioactive plume dispersion when the IPNGP encounters a core-meltdown accident. Findings show that there are between 1.39 million and 19.85 million people that could possibly be exposed to the radioactive plume under four different typifying weather conditions in a calendar year. The study suggests this potential risk of an extreme event should be taken into consideration for “flexible adaptation approach” for building a resilient and sustainable New York City, rather than the one where a serious disaster could impact thousands of lives, create millions of dollars in damage, and create another scenario where emergency response is tested and fails to meet the requirements of appropriate sources to respond and do their part accordingly and appropriately to protect and save the lives of residents.

Comments

© World Scientific Publishing Company

Publication Title

Journal of Extreme Events

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1142/S234573761650007X

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS