The effect of bright lines in environmental risk communication

Conference · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Environmental Professional; (United States)

OSTI ID:6123093

Wilson, K N; Desvousges, W H; Smith, K V; Payne, J ^[1]

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1. Research Triangle Inst., Research Triangle Park, NC (United States)

Bright lines in environmental risk communication refer to the specific levels at which an environmental risk becomes a serious health threat and action should be taken to mitigate its effects. This study examined the effect of bright lines'' in risk communication by emphasizing the radon exposure threshold level of 4 picocuries per liter. Specifically, the authors developed a computer-assisted interview containing bright-line versions of risk information. The bright-line version contained a range of possible radon levels, the corresponding number of estimated lung cancer cases, the relative health risk from radon compared to other health risks, and the EPA guidelines for mitigating levels above 4 picocuries in the home. The non-bright line version was identical to the bright-line version, except it did not include the EPA's mitigation recommendations. Effect measures included respondents' change in perceived risk after reading their materials, intended testing behavior, and advice to their neighbor for a specified radon level either above or below the 4 picocury threshold level. This paper discusses broader policy implications for designing effective risk communication programs.

• OSTI ID: 6123093
• Report Number(s): CONF-930523--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Environmental Professional; (United States) Journal Volume: Supplement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540130 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
560161* -- Radionuclide Effects
Kinetics
& Toxicology-- Man
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
BODY
CONTROL
DISEASES
DOSES
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GASES
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
LUNGS
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE
NEOPLASMS
NONMETALS
ORGANS
POLLUTION CONTROL
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION HAZARDS
RADON
RARE GASES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RISK ASSESSMENT
SAFETY STANDARDS
STANDARDS