Risks communication

Risk communication has become an important integrated element of risk management. Risk-related iirformation generated at each phase, stage or step should be communicated continnonsly and effectively to all parties concerned. 

The literatnre shows that risk communication can be considered a specific domain of science in its own right. Risk communication and its role in attitudes towards risks, risk assessment and risk management have been explored in several studies (Bender et al. 1997 Bickerstaff and Walker 1999 Frewer 2004 HSE 2001 Leiss 2004 OECD 2002 Reid 1999). For example, minor risks can sometimes prodnce massive reactions, while major risks often may be ignored 

Public information concerning dangerous goods risks has become a norm in many countries and indnstries. Risk assessment processes and ontcomes are reqnired to be opened to greater participation and semtiny by all parties concerned. This, in turn, has required the need to help the public understand information and to help decision makers understand the public s risk perceptions and responses. Perceptions and responses are complex, multidimensional and diverse, as the pnblic consists of many publics with Averse values and interests. Understanding pnblic concerns must be the basis for an effective risk management strategy (Frewer 2004). 

Environmental risk commmiication is one of the more important problems that industry faces. Since tlie mid 1980s, public concerns about the environment liave grown faster Uian concern about virtually any other national problem. There are two major categories or risk nonfixable and fixable. Nonfixable risks 

Risk communication comes into play because citizens ultimately determine wliich risks govermiient agencies attack. On tlie surface, it appears practical to remedy tlie most severe risks first, leaving tlie others until later or perhaps, if tlie risks are small enougli, never remedying tlie others at all. However, tlie behavior of individuals in everyday life often does not conform with tliis view. 

Two eiiviromiiental issues that dramatized tlie need for intelligent and proper risk comnimiication were  

Altliough specific details are beyond tlie scope of tliis text, information on both types is provided in tlie literature.  

There are no easy prescriptions for successful risk communication. However, tliose who liave studied and participated in recent debates about risk generally agree on seven cardinal rules. These rules apply equally well to tlie public and private sectors. Altliough many of tliese rules may seem obvious, they are continually and consistently violated in practice. Tims, a useful way to read tliese rules is to focus on why they are frequently not followed 

The aims in risk communication are first to involve or inform all participants in the food chain, including marketing companies, regulatory authorities, and consumers, of the nature of risks associated with drug residues in foods, and then to provide assurance that precautionary principles have been applied to the generation and interpretation of data and the adoption of standards that ensure a safe food supply. 

An important part of the risk management process involves informing consumers, industry and other stakeholders of the decisions made by regulatory authorities. However, this is a narrow view of risk communication that does not take into account the potential for dialogue between interested parties that can result in better decision-making. Understanding how consumers view the potential risks associated with food additives can help to avoid either under- or over-regulation. 

Number Hazard Cause Effects Category Freq. Index Provisions Controls Category Freq. Index Closed) 

Inadequate provisions to prevent person from falling between coaches 

Person falls between coaches causing severe injury or death. 

No current recommendations. However, it is noted that rolling stock is now fitted with curtains between cars that provide some protection against this hazard. 

Train speed control failure, braking distance envelop encroached 

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A basic tenet of risk communication is that people have a right to participate in decisions that affect their lives. The goal of risk communication should be to inform the community about the risks and potential health effects of your activities and to involve the public in developing solutions to any related problems. 

Risk communication will be successful only if it is carefully planned. Establish risk communication objectives, such as providing information to the... 

Devote time and resources to building bridges with other organizations. Use credible and authoritative intermediaries. Consult with others to determine who is best able to answer questions about risk. Few things make risk communication more difficult than conflicts or public disagreements with other credible sources. 

V. T. Covello, P. M. Sandman, and P. Slovic, Risk Communication, Risk Statistics, and Risk Comparisons A Manual for Plant Managers, Chemical Manufacturers Association, Washington, DC, 1988. 

Seven Cardinal Rules of Risk Communication, OPA-87-020, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, March 1996. 

Gutteling, Jan M. and Oene Wiegman, Exploring Risk Communication, Kltiwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, 1996. 

Ltindgren, Regina E., Risk Communication A Handbook for Communicating Environmental, Safety, and Health Risks, Battelle Press, Columbus, 1994. 

Section 18.2 Risk Cliaracterization Section 18.3 Cause-Consequence Analysis Section 18.4 Qualitative Hazard Risk Analysis Section 18.5 Quantitative Hazard Risk Analysis Section 18.6 Uncertainties/Limihitions Section 18.7 Public Perception of Risk Section 18.8 Risk Communication... 

Accept and involve the public as a legitimate partner. A basic tenet of risk communication in democracy is tliat people and communities have a right to participate in decisions tliat affect tlieir lives, tlieir property, and tlie tilings tliey value. 

Point to Consider The goal in risk communication in a democracy should be to produce an informed public Uiat is involved, interested, reasonable, Uioughlful, solution-oriented, and collaborative. It should not be to diffuse public concerns or replace action. 

Few things make risk communication more difficult than conflicts or public disagreements with oilier credible sources. 

Tinker TL, Collins CM, King HS, et al. 2000. Assessing risk communication effectiveness Perspectives of agency practitioners. J Hazard Mater B73 117-127. 

In essence, the earlier components of this overall assessment process are mainly deterministic in character (albeit with some probabilistic elements), whereas the later stages are mainly probabilistic. Not all elements of the process are quantifiable (with any degree of confidence), however and the socicii-political-cultural context of any downstream decision-making process may be intensely uncertain. Such uncertainties make the process of risk communication and debate a complex and sometimes unpredictable undertaking. It is essential therefore that those elements of the risk management process that cein be objectively einalysed and evaluated (either qualitatively or quantitatively, as appropriate) are so assessed. 

Development of new and existing Risk Assessment Tools (e.g., Natural Hazards Electronic Map and Assessment Tools Information System—NHEMATIS), Risk Management Tools inclusive of all stakeholders in the process (e.g., CAN/CSA Q850-97 for risk management in Canada, CAN/CSA-Z763-96 specifically for environmental concerns) Effective Risk Communication. 

Factors such as hazard type and source credibility have been identified as important in the establishment of effective strategies for risk communication (Frewer et al., 1997). One means by which to measure credibility is the Meyer s credibility index (McComas and Trumbo, 2001). This has proven useful for measuring source credibility in the context of environmental health-risk controversies, and it would seem to be relevant for measuring food risks in a food crisis situation. A key element of this credibility index is trust. 

Trust in risk information about food-related hazards is an important determinant of public reactions to risk information. One of the central questions addressed by the risk communication literature is why some individuals and organizations are trusted as sources of risk information whereas others are not. Industry and government often lack public trust, whereas other sources are highly trusted (such as consumer organizations, selected media, and physicians). Their analyses indicate that knowledge in itself does not make one a trusted source, but that trusted sources are characterized by multiple positive attributes. 

Risk communication. Where there are potential risks associated with food additives other interested parties, in any sub-groups particularly affected, must be informed. 

Effective environmental management and decision making. Discuss how scientists and decision makers can best develop risk assessment, risk management and risk communication systems to achieve environmental goals. Use the POPs treaty and Chinese obligations under the treaty as an example for which effective management systems can be developed. 

Technology—involve pharmaceutical companies and distributors to develop innovative solutions, such as radiofrequency identification (RFID) to track movements of drugs, tamper-proof packaging to deter tampering, and printing technologies aimed at end user compliance Risk communication—IMPACT to develop and coordinate effective mechanisms to alert and respond to counterfeit drug activities inform and educate users and healthcare professionals to be alert and report suspicious cases... 

Laucht, M., Becker, K., Blomeyer, D., and Schmidt, M. H. (2007) Novelty seeking involved in mediating the association between the dopamine D receptor gene exon III polymorphism and heavy drinking in male adolescents results from a high-risk community sample. Biol. Psychiatry. 61, 87-92. 

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