Methods for Analyzing and Comparing Technological Hazards

Each year an estimated 17–31% of the U.S. mortality rate is associated with undesired side effects of technology (Harriss, Hohenemser, and Kates 1978). The productivity loss from technology-related illness, death, and pollution is equivalent to 3–6% of the gross national product (GNP). When combined with the cost of private and public sector efforts to prevent and mitigate such losses, the undesired side effects of technology amount to 7–12% of the GNP (Tuller 1985). Even so, these estimates of the societal burden of technological hazards are incomplete, and do not include, for example, a number of newly recognized hazards.