The Cold-War Origins of the Value of Statistical Life (VSL)

Banzhaf, H. Spencer

doi:10.2139/ssrn.2360205

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…Values ranging from $1,000 – 10,000 per person-rem averted have been suggested or recommended. More recently the concept of a “value of a statistical life” (VSL) (Banzhaf 2014; US UDEQ 2015; USNRC 2017a and b; Kniesner and Viscusi 2019; OECD 2020) has been introduced into the discussion of the cost-benefit analysis of a given practice involving potential radiation dose to human populations. Again, varying values for a VSL have been developed ranging from $4 to 10 million.…”

Section: Cost Of Cleanupmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radiobiology of Select Radionuclides in Hanford Site Tank Waste

2022

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There are several important radionuclides involved in the "clean-up" or environmental isolation of nuclear waste contained in US Department of Energy Hanford Site underground waste tanks that drive many of the decisions associated with this activity. To make proper human health risk analyses and ensure that the most appropriate decisions are made, it is important to understand the radiation biology and the human health risk associated with these radionuclides. This manuscript provides some basic radiological science, in particular radiation biology, for some of these radionuclides, i.e., 3 H, 90 Sr, 137 Cs, 99 Tc, 129 I, and the alpha emitters 239, 240 Pu, 233,234,235,238 U, and 241 Am. These radionuclides were selected based on their designation as "constituents of potential concern," historical significance, or potential impact on human health risk. In addition to the radiobiology of these select radionuclides, this manuscript provides brief discussions of the estimated cost of planned management of Hanford tank waste and a comparison with releases into the Techa River from activities associated with the Mayak Production Association. A set of summary conclusions of the potential human health risks associated with these radionuclides is given.

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Section: Cost Of Cleanupmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radiobiology of Select Radionuclides in Hanford Site Tank Waste

2022

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“…In fact, older adults may be valued less than the younger populations due to the formula used for calculation. 34 Therefore, we recognize that the whole idea of valuing life is confusing and controversial to the general public. 35 36 Further research on the QALY approach is needed to address challenges concerning equity-weighted utility maximization and testing of the validity of underlying assumptions.…”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In fact, older adults may be valued less than the younger populations due to the formula used for calculation. 34 Therefore, we recognize that the whole idea of valuing life is confusing and controversial to the general public. 35 Second, within the field of economic evaluation, there is debate relating to whether all QALYs are the same, with questions about who should value health states.…”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Economic Evaluation to Hasten Health Equity

Roldós

Breen

2021

Health Equity

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Achieving health equity has proven elusive for two reasons. First, most research has focused on changing the behavior of individuals; however, policies that address socioeconomic factors or change the context to facilitate healthy decisions tend to be more effective. Second, health disparity science and evidence are not consistently used to guide policy makers, even those seeking health equity. In this perspective, we discuss economic evaluation tools that researchers can use to assist decision-makers in conducting research or evaluating policy: selfreported health-related quality of life surveys and cost-benefit analysis evaluations informed with willingness to pay research and analyses.

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“…The policy issue is typically not whether a species existence is valued more than the costs; the issue is the extent to which the benefits of reduced risk of extinction exceed the costs, at various levels of risk reduction, or determining which recovery option yields the highest net benefit. Such calculations are now somewhat routinely used in areas of air quality standards (Adamowicz et al ) but it took time for such measures to be accepted and implemented (see Banzhaf ). A major step is the transition of the concept from the value of “life” or “lives” (or correspondingly the “species”) to the value of risk reductions.…”

Section: Benefit Cost Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Economic Analysis and Species at Risk: Lessons Learned and Future Challenges

Adamowicz

2016

Canadian J Agri Economics

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The Canadian Species at Risk Act (SARA) has been in existence for 13 years. It was, and in many ways continues to be, controversial. The U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) originated in 1973 and has also been controversial. In the 1990s, concerns were raised by economists in Canada and the United States on the design of endangered species (ES) policy. Their concerns surrounded the reconsideration of the ESA and the establishment of SARA. What have we learned since the implementation of SARA over this time? How has the U.S. experience with the ESA informed SARA and its approach? How has the role of economic analysis in ES policy evolved? What continue to be the challenges and what are the opportunities? This paper reviews the concerns raised in the past, and evaluates the lessons learned regarding economics and ES. The unique aspects of the economic analysis of ES problems relative to other environmental concerns are outlined. The paper concludes with a discussion of ways to lessen the tension in debate about the role of economics in ES policy, and embrace the potential for more effective policy analysis and design through integration of economic analysis into conservation policy. Au Canada, la Loi sur les espèces en péril (LEP) est entrée en vigueur il y a 13 ans. Elle avait soulevé la controverse et, à certains égards, c'est encore le cas. Aux États‐Unis, l'Endangered Species Act (ESA – loi sur les espèces en voie de disparition) a vu le jour en 1973 et a aussi fait l'objet de controverse. Au cours des années 1990, des économistes canadiens et américains ont exprimé des préoccupations au sujet de la conception des politiques visant à protéger les espèces en voie de disparition. Leurs préoccupations ont mené à un réexamen de l'ESA et à la mise en œuvre de la LEP. Quelles leçons avons‐nous apprises depuis la mise en œuvre de la LEP? De quelle façon l'expérience des États‐Unis avec l'ESA a‐t‐elle influencé l’élaboration de la LEP et sa stratégie? De quelle façon le rôle de l'analyse économique des politiques visant à protéger les espèces en voie de disparition a‐t‐il évolué? Quels sont, encore aujourd'hui, les défis à relever et les occasions à saisir? Le présent article passe en revue les préoccupations passées et examine les leçons apprises concernant l’économie et les espèces en voie de disparition. Il met en lumière les caractéristiques uniques de l'analyse économique des problèmes liés aux espèces en voie de disparition comparativement à d'autres préoccupations environnementales. Il inclut une discussion sur les façons d'atténuer les tensions dans le débat sur le rôle de l’économie dans l’élaboration des politiques visant à protéger les espèces en voie de disparition et accueille la possibilité de procéder à l'analyse et à la conception efficaces de politiques grâce à l'intégration de l'analyse économique dans l’élaboration des politiques de la conservation.—

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The Cold-War Origins of the Value of Statistical Life (VSL)

Cited by 5 publications

References 47 publications

Radiobiology of Select Radionuclides in Hanford Site Tank Waste

Radiobiology of Select Radionuclides in Hanford Site Tank Waste

Using Economic Evaluation to Hasten Health Equity

Economic Analysis and Species at Risk: Lessons Learned and Future Challenges

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