Risk terminology--a platform for common understanding and better communication

Area of Science:

• Risk analysis and assessment
• Environmental science
• Toxicology

Background:

• Risk sciences are emerging fields with developing terminologies, leading to ambiguity in term usage.
• Recent efforts by authoritative agencies have compiled major risk vocabularies.
• Discrepancies in terminology exist between different risk disciplines and stakeholders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine and explain risk terminologies by dividing them into fundamental and action-oriented categories.
• To clarify the cause-effect relationships in fundamental risk terms and the iterative nature of action-oriented terms.
• To contribute to reducing misunderstandings in risk discussions by identifying and clarifying terminology differences.

Main Methods:

• Analysis and explanation of major risk vocabularies compiled by authoritative agencies.
• Categorization of risk terms into fundamental (describing processes) and action-oriented (societal processes).
• Illustration of the internal connections and iterative character of action-oriented risk processes.

Main Results:

• Fundamental risk terms relate to cause-effect processes from source to consequence.
• Action-oriented terms encompass societal processes like identification, characterization, regulation, and communication of risks.
• The study focuses on engineering and toxicological risks but suggests broader applicability.

Conclusions:

• While complete elimination of terminology differences is unlikely, identification and clarification can enhance understanding.
• Improved clarity in risk terminology can prevent discussions from diverging from the core risk issues.
• The proposed framework aids in navigating the complexities of risk communication and management.