Title: The current public acceptance in Brazil of nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes

Authors: Vitor Fernandes De Almeida; Luciana Sampaio Ribeiro; Edilaine Ferreira Da Silva; Anna Flávia De Freitas Valiante Peluso; Nathália Silva De Medeiros; Amir Zacarias Mesquita

Addresses: Nuclear Technology Development Centre (CDTN), Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN), Campus da UFMG - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil ' Nuclear Technology Development Centre (CDTN), Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN), Campus da UFMG - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil ' Nuclear Technology Development Centre (CDTN), Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN), Campus da UFMG - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil ' Nuclear Technology Development Centre (CDTN), Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN), Campus da UFMG - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil ' Nuclear Technology Development Centre (CDTN), Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN), Campus da UFMG - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil ' Nuclear Technology Development Centre (CDTN), Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN), Campus da UFMG - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract: The development of nuclear science in Brazil in various fields is significant. In the Brazilian scenario, this science was effectively stimulated in the mid-1950s, with the first radiological research centre and nowadays, the country boasts four research reactors and two nuclear power reactors in operation, and 11 fuel cycle facilities. These units possess a nominal production of about 2.000 MWe, which represents 3% of the national matrix. However, this percentage does not reflect the full nuclear energetic potential in Brazil, once the country has the seventh-largest uranium reservoir worldwide and is one of the few countries that has mastered the nuclear fuel cycle. Given the lack of public knowledge about nuclear technology in Brazil, an initiative for assessing Brazilian public comprehension and approval on nuclear science has emerged. In face of the collected and analysed data, it was possible to observe the degree of knowledge about radiopharmaceuticals and nuclear energy.

Keywords: nuclear energy; nuclear technology; radiopharmaceuticals; radiation; survey.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNEST.2020.117702

International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology, 2020 Vol.14 No.4, pp.328 - 338

Received: 13 Jan 2020
Accepted: 09 Apr 2021
Published online: 21 Sep 2021 *

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