A contribution to the analysis of equity associated with high-level radioactive waste management

•We analyse nuclear waste management options in terms of equity at the health level.•We define a Rawlsian equity criterion focusing on health impact on vulnerable groups.•Health impact is studied qualitatively in terms of potential exposure.•With this Rawlsian criterion, geological disposal is favoured for each vulnerable group.

Risk distribution is a core problem in the context of risk management. In this respect, the issue of equity with regard to the management of high-level radioactive waste is complex and has given rise to substantial literature, mainly related to the notions of consent, compensation or sustainable development. This paper aims at contributing to this debate by analysing one aspect often neglected in the ethical literature, namely the question of equity associated with the health impact of different management strategies. Therefore, we will assess qualitatively the potential exposure of individuals in the case of three management strategies – surface storage, non-retrievable geological disposal, and retrievable geological disposal –, and we will compare the results using a criterion of Rawlsian inspiration, which states that the fairest option is the one for which the least well-off groups are as well-off as possible. Our analysis shows that non-retrievable geological disposal is favoured in this regard for each vulnerable group, namely local communities, and on-site workers.