Predicting Nuclear and Other Technological Disasters

School Library Journal

Gr 9-12--AIDS. . . is well written, but its title may be somewhat misleading to some readers seeking research material, for the text focuses heavily on the history, principles, and statistical methods of epidemiology in general. Only one chapter is devoted specifically to AIDS. An unusual feature is the inclusion of two epidemic simulation programs, written in BASIC and recommended for several different computer types. Nuclear. . . provides well-balanced, readable coverage of a difficult topic. In the first of three main sections, Lampton explains the concepts of probabilistic risk analysis, the basis of the controversial 1975 Rasmussen Report that is well covered in a later chapter. A second section is devoted to nuclear power plants, which includes an assessment of the risks associated with such installations and an excellent summary of the events which led to catastrophes at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl. Section three, not as detailed, uses the Bhopal disaster as a model for a discussion of the benefits and limitations of the application of risk analysis to the manfacture of hazardous chemicals. Risky biotechnology, such as the manufacture of recombinant DNA, receives similar treatment. Because of their timeliness, objectivity, clarity, and brevity, both books will be useful to students preparing reports. However, readers who have been exposed to the newer math curricula will have an easier time with the mathematical sections. --Sue A. Norkeliunas, Arlington Senior High School, LaGrangeville, NY