PRINCIPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CONTAMINATION (PART III)

Table of Contents

1. Index
2. UNIT 9 - Environmental risk assessment
3. UNIT 10 - Environmental risk communication
   1. Introduction
   2. Risk communication problems
   3. Case studies
4. UNIT 11 - Modelling in Ecotoxicology
5. UNIT 12 - Legislation
6. Glossary of key terms associated with environmental toxicology

Introduction

Risk communication involves making the risk assessment and risk management information comprehensible and useful to environmentalists, politicians, judges, lawyers, legislators, industry, community groups, etc. Therefore, risk assessment results must be communicated in a way that can be understood by those without technical backgrounds (i.e., nontechnical audiences). This is very challenging because risk assessors and the public may view risks and risk issues very differently. Furthermore, if risk managers do not understand the results, this can lead to bad policy and regulatory decisions. Public understanding of risk assessment results (e.g. understanding when something is only a potential concern and when it is a real concern) is also essential if they are to participate in, or at least accept the results of, risk-based decision-making.

The ability to communicate risks to the public in an understandable manner is one of the best ways in which toxicologists can demonstrate the importance of toxicology in our everyday lives. It is important that the trained toxicologist do not miss the opportunity to be "the voice of reason", presenting a balanced view of benefits and risks, and outlining alternatives whenever possible.