A Study on Risk Communication and Risk Perception in Environmental Problems

Risk communication can be defined as the exchange of information about the nature, magnitude, significance, acceptability, and management of risk. The effect of risk communication on the perception and knowledge towards risk of environmental pollutants and it's related factors were investigated in this study. To investigate perception and knowledge of students and teachers towards risk of environmental pollutants, we conducted the survey using self-administrated questionnaire. The subjects were 574 for the first survey and 465 for the seconds survey from May to June, 2000. The main methods of transmission used in this study- through video tape, visual materials, question and answer, and participation in measuring pollutants - were not a one - way street. But an interactive process where information and opinions were exchanged among individuals, groups, and institutions. Environmental pollutants measured with participation of study subjects was Radon in the class room. The concentration of Radon was measured using E -PERM Device by installing it at each site for about 5 days. Subjects showed much interest in environmental pollution. Also, more than 98％ of total subjects were perceived as Korea is seriously contaminated at present. By risk communication activity, risk perception of all subjects about Radon was increased, on the other hand, risk perception of Dioxin was decreased except for elementary student. Moreover, knowledge of all subjects about environmental risk was significantly increased (p =0.0001) and effort of reducing environmental pollution was more increased (p