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U.S. Department of Energy
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Risk communication 101: Address fears, suppress chaos

Conference · · Environmental Professional; (United States)
OSTI ID:6081224
 [1]
  1. National Medical Advisory Service, Inc., Bethesda, MD (United States)

Improper risk communication can create more problems than the original event created and is a growing problem. Proper risk communication is a key area of crisis management and cannot be overlooked in this new age of chemical awareness. An environmental risk communicator should keep these factors in mind: never discount people's fears; rule out direct health threats, when possible; understand people's concerns; understand toxicology; be able to communicate. If you are responsible for hiring communicators, be sure to test them. Ask them how they would deal with a situation in which levels of a chemical are below those known to produce harm. A risk communicator must present this to people in an understanding fashion, be sensitive to human concerns and be knowledgeable about toxic risks.

OSTI ID:
6081224
Report Number(s):
CONF-930523--
Journal Information:
Environmental Professional; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Professional; (United States) Vol. Supplement; ISSN 0191-5398; ISSN EPROD9
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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