An electricity company owns and operates a nuclear power station located ten miles from a large city. A recent and very extensive engineering examination of the power station concludes with the estimate that the probability of a major nuclear disaster within the next 20 years is 0.2%.
Which of the following best explains the relevance of quantifying the risk in that way?
A . There is no acceptable level of risk for a major nuclear accident and so the probability has little information value in itself.
B . The probability is so low as to be ignored.
C . The directors will be able to argue that they were not negligent in the event of a major disaster within the 20 year period.
D . The calculation of a precise probability demonstrates that the engineers who conducted the inspection are experts in their field.
Answer: A