Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 29, 2026
09:23
Removal of Trace Elements by Cupric Oxide Nanoparticles from Uranium In Situ Recovery Bleed Water and Its Effect on Cell Viability
Published on: June 21, 2015
Communicating Arsenic's Risks
Shannon H Rogers1,2, Laurie R Rardin3, Kathrin Lawlor3
1Cooperative Extension, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA. shannon.rogers@unh.edu.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|September 19, 2019
Summary
New England residents face arsenic risks from well water and rice, yet awareness is low. This study used a website and mental models to bridge knowledge gaps about arsenic risks and water testing.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Risk Communication
Background:
- Arsenic, a toxic metalloid, is prevalent in New England's bedrock, contaminating well water and posing health risks.
- Arsenic exposure also occurs through food, notably rice, yet regional residents often underestimate the associated dangers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate environmental communication strategies for addressing public knowledge gaps regarding arsenic risks.
- To understand the discrepancy between expert and community perceptions of arsenic hazards in New England.
Main Methods:
- Development and assessment of a dedicated website, "Arsenic and You," providing comprehensive information.
- Application of a mental models research approach to identify and analyze perception differences.
Main Results:
- Significant knowledge gaps identified concerning arsenic's origin in water and food, the importance of well water testing, and treatment options.
- The mental models approach effectively highlighted disparities in understanding between experts and the community.
Conclusions:
- A "one-stop shop" website can effectively disseminate vital information and address public knowledge deficits about arsenic.
- Targeted communication strategies are crucial for mitigating arsenic exposure risks and promoting informed decision-making.
Related Concept Videos
01:36Types of Toxins
Humans continually engage with an environment rich in potentially harmful chemicals. These are introduced to our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. These chemicals exist in various forms, such as air and environmental pollutants, agricultural chemicals, organic solvents, and heavy metals.
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
01:26Toxic Reactions: Overview
When toxic substances penetrate the human body, they disseminate to various tissues, undergoing metabolic changes. This process yields reactive metabolites that may covalently bind with specific target molecules, resulting in toxicity.
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
01:14Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison
In cases of acute poisoning, the primary objective is to prevent further absorption of the toxic substance into the body. Immediate interventions using various decontamination techniques targeting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can achieve this. Decontamination is crucial to prevent poison from entering the systemic circulation, which involves washing affected areas with water and mild soap and removing contaminated clothing. Once external decontamination is done, attention must be turned to...
01:24Drug Toxicity: Risk factors
Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are potential complications that arise during pharmacotherapy, influenced by multiple risk factors. Age plays a significant role; both neonates and the elderly are at heightened risk due to their respective immature and diminished metabolic and elimination processes. Gender also impacts ADRs, with females experiencing a 1.5 to 1.7-fold greater risk than males, which may be linked to pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and hormonal differences. Notably, neonates, the...
01:26Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios
Pharmaceutical poisoning can occur through various channels, impacting an estimated 2 million hospitalized patients in the U.S. annually with serious adverse drug responses. These scenarios encompass both therapeutic uses, such as drug toxicity, where even standard dosages can lead to severe central nervous system depression, and non-therapeutic exposures, including accidental ingestion by children, and environmental and occupational exposures.Unintentional poisonings often involve exploratory...
01:23Atherosclerosis IV: Nursing Management
Nursing management for a patient with arteriosclerosis involves a comprehensive approach focusing on lifestyle modification, disease monitoring, education, and symptomatic care. Here is an overview of effective nursing strategies:Assessment and Monitoring: Initial and ongoing assessments are crucial. Nurses must document the patient's medical history, including any hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and other cardiovascular diseases. Assessments also cover family history and lifestyle...