Whose Backyard, Whose Risk: Fear and Fairness in Toxic and Nuclear Waste Siting

Environmental attorney Gerrard has written a comprehensive book detailing the hazardous and radioactive waste (HW/RW) problem in America. His task is daunting: ``how to find the system of HW/RW management that maximizes social welfare, taking full account of the social and environmental costs, while achieving fairness.'' Gerrard integrates political, scientific, psychological and economic considerations; advocates a balance of federal, state and local responsibility; and emphasizes grassroots incentives for siting, i.e., compensating communities to store toxic waste under rigidly controlled conditions. He does a superb job of distinguishing between real and perceived risks, recognizing that public perceptions of hazardous waste-siting options are as critical as a site's underlying geology. Although the style is dry, the book offers new insight into a critical environmental problem. Illustrations. (Dec.)