Radon and cigarette smoking: perceptions of this synergistic health risk

Past approaches to the measurement of the perceived risk of combined hazards have failed to demonstrate awareness of synergy (S. E. Hampson et al., 1998; D. Hermand, E. Mullet, & B. Coutelle, 1995; D. Hermand, E. Mullet, & S. Lavieville, 1997). Respondents (N = 650) were provided with information about the synergistic risk of lung cancer from the combination of smoking and radon, and their risk perceptions were assessed on two occasions. At Time 1, using Likert-type scales, there was no evidence of synergistic risk perception. At Time 2, using a scale based on the appraisal of relative risk with anchors allowing for the expression of synergy, the combined hazard of radon and smoking was rated as significantly more of a health risk than the single hazards. The findings are discussed in terms of methodological issues in assessing synergistic risk.