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Determinants of Risk Perceptions of a Hazardous Waste Site
Author(s) -
Bord Richard J.,
O'Connor Robert E.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
risk analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.972
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1539-6924
pISSN - 0272-4332
DOI - 10.1111/j.1539-6924.1992.tb00693.x
Subject(s) - hazardous waste , superfund , environmental health , health risk , risk perception , risk assessment , perception , risk management , risk analysis (engineering) , environmental planning , business , actuarial science , engineering , psychology , waste management , environmental science , medicine , computer science , computer security , finance , neuroscience
A before‐stimulus‐after quasi‐experimental design is used to assess the factors relating to risk perceptions of a hazardous waste site. First, a pretest obtains measures of attitudes and beliefs about hazardous waste and waste sites. Second, a detailed hypothetical “Superfund” scenario, including a complex cleanup plan, is introduced. Finally, indices of health risk estimates, trust, knowledge, and other pertinent beliefs are obtained. Levels of concern, both before and after cleanup, are the dependent variables. Independent variables include risk management options, health risk estimates, trust, and five sociodemographic characteristics. Concern is extremely high prior to cleanup and moderately high after cleanup. Concern is a clear function of health risk estimates. Toxic chemicals from waste sites are viewed as a major cause of multiple health problems, especially cancers. Accurate health risk estimates moderate fears and are linked to levels of education. Education, however, does not explain concern. Trust is a major factor explaining concern and health risk estimates. The implications of these findings for risk communication is discussed.