Utformning av effektiv riskkommunikation om asbest och PCB för allmänheten i Lomma kommun

Sammanfattning

Asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) are hazardous substances that pose a risk to human health and the environment, and they are banned in Sweden. There is a large amount of older buildings that contain these substances and this causes a need for risk management. The responsibility for inventory and remediation lies on the property owner. Riskcommunication is an essential tool for encouraging action that reduces exposure. The aim of this study is to examine how to create effective risk communication that motivates property owners to start the process of inventory and remediation, for Lomma municipality. To create effective risk communication the risk communication expert Baruch Fischhoffs work is reviewed and a questionnaire survey targeting property owners in Lomma municipality is made. The study also investigates the relationship between knowledge, risk perception and willingness to act, in relation to asbestos and PCB. The results indicate differences in knowledge between asbestos and PCB. Respondents show greater knowledge for asbestos, a greater uncertainty and concern for PCB. The results show that strong and alarming messages may increase motivation but simultaneously decrease credibility and trustworthiness. Respondents were uncertain about legal responsibilities and about the remediation process. The study concludes that effective risk communication requires more than a one-way of information, it requires some sort of dialog. The communications strategy has to be adapted to the target groups knowledge, emotions, trust and ability to act. Effective risk communication can contribute to more people starting inventory and remediation, thereby reducing human exposure to hazardous substances and reducing environmental harm.