Communicating radon risk effectively: a mid-course evaluation. Interim report
A panel of 2300 homeowners was divided into subgroups to test the effectiveness of six alternative ways of explaining the risk from naturally occurring radon gas. The research design focused on two dimensions: qualitative vs. quantitative and directive vs. evaluative. These characteristics led to 4 experimental booklets, which were compared with EPA's Citizen's Guide and a one-page fact sheet. The evaluation examined how much people learned about radon; whether they could form risk perceptions consistent with their home's measured radon level; and whether they felt they had enough information to make a decision about mitigation. The fact sheet did not perform well on any of these evaluation criteria. None of the five booklets clearly was best for all 3 evaluation criteria; the report discusses the implications for designing an effective radon-risk communication program.
- OSTI ID:
- 7166545
- Report Number(s):
- PB-90-178302/XAB; EPA-230/07-87/029; TRN: 90-026912
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
HOUSES
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
RADON
RISK ASSESSMENT
EDUCATION
FORECASTING
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
MITIGATION
NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY
POLLUTION REGULATIONS
PROGRESS REPORT
PUBLIC HEALTH
RADIATION HAZARDS
RADIATION MONITORING
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
AIR POLLUTION
BUILDINGS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FLUIDS
GASES
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
MASS TRANSFER
MONITORING
NONMETALS
POLLUTION
RADIOACTIVITY
RARE GASES
REGULATIONS
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
540130* - Environment
Atmospheric- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
560161 - Radionuclide Effects
Kinetics
& Toxicology- Man
290300 - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
Health
& Safety