Communicating Arsenic’s Risks
| Autor: | Kathrin Lawlor, Shannon H. Rogers, Celia Y. Chen, Mark E. Borsuk, Laurie R. Rardin |
|---|---|
| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2019 |
| Předmět: |
Research program
Environmental communication Health Toxicology and Mutagenesis Water Wells chemistry.chemical_element lcsh:Medicine Food Contamination 010501 environmental sciences Superfund 01 natural sciences Risk Assessment Water Purification 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine New england mental models risk communication New England Humans environmental communication Environmental planning Arsenic 0105 earth and related environmental sciences Communication Drinking Water lcsh:R Public Health Environmental and Occupational Health arsenic 6. Clean water 3. Good health Arsenic contamination of groundwater chemistry Health Communication 13. Climate action 030220 oncology & carcinogenesis Food products Business Private well community based research Water Pollutants Chemical |
| Zdroj: | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol 16, Iss 18, p 3436 (2019) International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |
| ISSN: | 1660-4601 |
| Popis: | Arsenic is a naturally occurring toxic metalloid that has many human health implications. Its strong prevalence in the bedrock and thus much of the well water in New England puts many private well owners at risk. It is also found in food products, particularly those that contain rice. Despite the documented health risks, arsenic is not high on the list of concerns for residents of the region. This study will describe two types of environmental communication efforts that have been undertaken by the Dartmouth Toxic Metals Superfund Research Program (DTMSRP)—the development and evaluation of a comprehensive website, Arsenic and You, and a mental models research approach to better understand the disconnect between expert and community perceptions of arsenic risk. We find that there are knowledge gaps between the two, particularly regarding the origin of arsenic in drinking water and food, the necessity of testing well water, and the process for treating water that is above recommended limits. Moreover, the mental models approach provides a structured framework for better understanding these gaps. A website can address some of these disconnects, and it is important to have a “one-stop shop” for vetted information on the risks and steps to reduce exposure. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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