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Life Years Lost at Hazardous Waste Sites: Remediation Worker Fatalities vs. Cancer Deaths to Nearby Residents

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  • Joshua T. Cohen
  • Barbara D. Beck
  • Ruthann Rudel

Abstract

We present a hypothetical case study using the Years of Potential Life Lost (YPLL) metric to compare cancer risks incurred by residents living near a Superfund site to occupational fatality risks incurred by workers employed in that site's remediation. Since cancer occurs late in life, and because we assume its mortality rate is 60%, each case results in 8.8 YPLL. Each occupational fatality, which typically occurs earlier in life, results in 38.1 YPLL. In our case study, the residential population of 5000 incurred 1.3 YPLL, compared to 5.7 YPLL incurred by the 500 workers. Several uncertain assumptions may influence our calculations; moreover, occupational risks may be viewed as more “voluntary” than risks incurred by residents. However, because the magnitude of the YPLL incurred by workers and residents may be comparable, risk managers should consider occupational risks when evaluating remedial alternatives.

Suggested Citation

  • Joshua T. Cohen & Barbara D. Beck & Ruthann Rudel, 1997. "Life Years Lost at Hazardous Waste Sites: Remediation Worker Fatalities vs. Cancer Deaths to Nearby Residents," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 17(4), pages 419-425, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:riskan:v:17:y:1997:i:4:p:419-425
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1539-6924.1997.tb00882.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alan F. Hoskin & J. Paul Leigh & Thomas W. Planek, 1994. "Estimated Risk of Occupational Fatalities Associated with Hazardous Waste Site Remediation," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 14(6), pages 1011-1017, December.
    2. W. F. Ten Berge & P. J. M. Stallen, 1995. "How to Compare the Risk Assessments for Accidental and Chronic Exposure," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(2), pages 111-113, April.
    3. Jonathan A. Lesser & Richard O. Zerbe, 1994. "Discounting procedures for environmental (and other) projects: A comment on Kolb and Scheraga," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 13(1), pages 140-156.
    4. Moore, Michael J. & Viscusi, W. Kip, 1990. "Discounting environmental health risks: New evidence and policy implications," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 18(2), pages 51-62, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Michael Gochfeld, 2004. "Risk‐Risk Balancing for Hazardous Waste Workers: Alternative Work, Traffic Fatalities, and Unemployment," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 24(2), pages 347-348, April.
    2. Patrick Hofstetter & Jane C. Bare & James K. Hammitt & Patricia A. Murphy & Glenn E. Rice, 2002. "Tools for Comparative Analysis of Alternatives: Competing or Complementary Perspectives?," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 22(5), pages 833-851, October.
    3. Floyd J. Frost & Joseph Chwirka & Gunther F. Craun & Bruce Thomson & John Stomp, 2002. "Physical Injury Risks Associated with Drinking Water Arsenic Treatment," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 22(2), pages 235-243, April.

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