Abstract
The potential of even non-military, beneficial applications of nuclear energy to present exceptional hazards was recognised from very early on during their development. Therefore, even before action had been taken to build the first civilian nuclear energy systems, developers had already resolved to impose an exceptionally high level of safety on such systems. This objective, which was unprecedented in industrial development, has been maintained and improved upon throughout the evolutionary process that followed. The objective has not always been achieved, but the safety record has been remarkably good when compared to those of other new technologies when they were introduced. Only a few large accidents causing public anxiety have occurred, and only one of these has led to radiation-induced public health effects.
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© 2011 Springer
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Slugeň, V. (2011). Introduction. In: Safety of VVER-440 Reactors. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84996-420-3_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84996-420-3_1
Publisher Name: Springer, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-84996-419-7
Online ISBN: 978-1-84996-420-3
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