Resources for Activity 5: Communicating Risk

Overview:
Understanding risk is an integral part of the risk management process. It is critical that risk information is communicated effectively to all concerned parties. This activity allows students to explore how timely and responsible communication among experts, the media, and lay people can lead to improved decisions about risk management.

Student Pages:
Sybron Chemicals Inc.: Background Information
Risk Communication Options
Sybron Chemicals Inc.: Risk Communication Response
Radon Risk Chart-A
Radon Risk Chart-B
Radon Alert
Risk Communication Guidelines
Concentration Analogies
One Part Per Million

Additional Resources:
A Healthy Skepticism Recommended for Statistics of All Kinds
Most of us get our exposure to statistics from reading the newspaper, watching TV newscasts, or searching the web. We need to remind ourselves--and students--that just because a statistic is in print or quoted by a figure of some authority does not mean it is true. Any given statistic may be accidentally, or purposefully, misleading, inaccurate, or simply misinterpreted. Statistics of the Descriptive Variety (Grades 4-12), a Classroom Calendar entry, aims to help you introduce a healthy sense of skepticism about the percentages, rates, and ratios that roll so easily from the pages of the newspaper and from the TV screen.  (Subscription required)

Earth & Sky Radio Correlations
This activity can be supplemented with related Earth & Sky radio shows that you can download for use in your classroom. Learn about the PLT and Earth & Sky Initiative.

Related Earth & Sky Shows:
- Reza Fazel Says Medical Imaging Carries Risks (2009)
- Elke Anklam Describes Nanofoods’ Benefits and Possible Risks (2009) 
- Arjun Makhijani Believes Nuclear Power is Too Costly and Too Risky (2009)
- Paul Wilson Believes Nuclear Power is a Good, Safe Choice (2009)
- Diane Davies on a Wildfire Alert System  (2009)