Education of the Public about Potential Health and Environmental Effects Associated with Hazardous Substances

Abstract

A program is proposed to educate the public at the community level about potential health and environmental effects associated with exposure to hazardous substances. The program will complement and enhance the efforts of Community Relations Programs, which are required under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. The first stage will be an information needs assessment accomplished through discussions with citizens, a study of the community, and examination of existing sources of information. Based on this information, the next stage will be the preparation and dissemination of educational materials to explain the potential environmental and health risks in terms the people can understand and apply in the context of their community. The final stage will be a community-specific evaluation of the materials and program. Particular emphasis will be given to educating the public about what risk assessment means and how it is done. Such a public education program should allow citizens to take an active, informed role in the local decision-making process. In addition, educated citizens are more likely to take measures to monitor and protect their health and thus avert the occurrence of environmentally related disease.