Factors governing site sélection of nuclear plants

The basic technical and economic criteria for the siting of nuclear power stations are discussed. These criteria are based on the emergency exposure of the general population to direct radiation, inhalation and environmental contamination. A regime is discussed to provide standards for site selection; the atmospheric release of biologically significant radionuclides is the most important factor. A number of other factors will influence the judgement, for example, population distribution, local geography, topography, hydrology, seismology and soil analysis. A careful economic evaluation of location at different alternative sites is necessary, taking into account the cost of cooling water-works, foundations and other engineering and social aspects