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Public views on drinking water standards as risk indicators
1New Jersey Department of Environment Protection, Trenton, NJ 08625, USA. Branden.Johnson@dep.state.nj.us
Risk Analysis : an Official Publication of the Society for Risk Analysis
|September 17, 2008
Summary
Many citizens struggle to interpret water contaminant levels compared to standards, with skepticism and confusing language impacting risk perception. Familiar toxins like mercury increase perceived risk, highlighting a need for clearer communication.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Risk Communication
- Public Perception
Background:
- Government agencies use contaminant standards to communicate public health risks and for regulatory enforcement.
- Understanding public interpretation of these risk indicators and influencing factors is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how private well owners in New Jersey interpret contaminant levels relative to regulatory standards.
- To identify factors influencing public understanding and perception of water quality risk indicators.
Main Methods:
- A mail survey was conducted among owners of private residential wells in New Jersey.
- The survey assessed public interpretation of contaminant levels versus standards, trust in standards, and risk perception.
Main Results:
- A majority could compare contaminant levels to standards, but many struggled with institutional language and numeracy.
- Skepticism regarding the harmlessness/harmfulness of levels below/above standards was substantial, influenced by distrust and demographics.
- Familiar toxins (mercury, arsenic, lead) elicited higher risk ratings than less familiar ones, irrespective of standard compliance.
Conclusions:
- Current risk communication strategies using contaminant standards may be ineffective for some segments of the public.
- Confusing language, numeracy issues, and skepticism hinder accurate risk interpretation.
- Further research is needed to improve the design and use of risk indicators for water quality.
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