A survey on current situation of public awareness of nuclear emergency evacuation around a nuclear power plant
10.13491/j.issn.1004-714X.2025.02.008
- VernacularTitle:某核电站周边公众核应急撤离认知现况调查
- Author:
Penglei HU
1
;
Long YUAN
1
;
Huifang CHEN
1
;
Ximing FU
1
;
Cuiping LEI
1
Author Information
1. Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, China CDC, National Institute for RadiologicalProtection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100088 China.
- Publication Type:OriginalArticles
- Keywords:
Nuclear accident;
Cognitive status survey;
Emergency evacuation
- From:
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health
2025;34(2):192-197
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the current level of public awareness regarding nuclear emergency evacuation around a nuclear power plant, analyze the influencing factors, and propose suggestions and countermeasures based on the results. Methods In July 2024, according to the survey protocol and questionnaire developed by the National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, a field-based centralized online questionnaire was administered. A total of 854 residents living near the nuclear power plant were included as survey participants. An analysis of variance was used to compare the impact of different factors on the public knowledge of nuclear radiation and awareness of nuclear emergency evacuation, while the chi-square test was employed to compare differences between groups. Results A total of 854 questionnaires were collected in this study. The survey revealed that the levels of public knowledge about nuclear radiation and awareness of nuclear emergency evacuation around the power plant were relatively low, with average objective awareness rates of 51% and 47%, respectively. In terms of age, the 30-45 years old group had the highest average score, while the group aged 60 and above had the lowest. Regarding education level, the group with primary school education or below had the lowest average score, whereas those with junior college or undergraduate education scored the highest. The internet (73.7%) was the primary source of emergency information for the public, followed by television (61.7%). The majority of the public (85.0%) expressed trust in the government during evacuation and were willing to follow governmental evacuation arrangements. The main reason for this willingness was the belief that the government could provide sufficient emergency supplies. Conclusion The surveyed population exhibited low levels of knowledge regarding nuclear radiation and awareness of nuclear emergency evacuation, with generally low awareness rates. Awareness levels were influenced by factors such as sex, age, educational background, and distance from the nuclear power plant. To enhance public awareness, it is necessary to strengthen science communication related to nuclear radiation and public protective actions in nuclear emergencies. Targeted dissemination strategies with high communication effectiveness, accessibility, and public acceptance should be adopted to gradually enhance public awareness of nuclear radiation and nuclear emergency protective actions.
