An Introduction to the Texas Risk Communication Process

Abstract

This paper provides a description of a process for communicating risk among all key parties involved in the manufacture, movement, use and disposal of chemicals. The intent of the risk communication process is to enable these parties to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions in certain scenarios involving chemicals. The scenarios deal not just with emergency events, but also with events requiring risk communication on a day-today basis. The process concentrates on two-way communication (that is, equal participation) among representatives of citizen or environmental groups, industry, government and the media. However, the process should also be useful to environmental regulators, emergency managers, elected representatives, union officials, health professionals and academics in specialties related to all these professions.