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Abstract #162471

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Tannie Eshenaur, MPH, Rita B. Messing, PhD, James Kelly, MS, Virginia Yingling, MS, and Jill Korinek, BA. Environmental Health, Minnesota Department of Health, P.O. 64975, St. Paul, MN 55164-0975, 651.201.4897, tannie.eshenaur@health.state.mn.us

Emerging contaminants present an added challenge for risk communication about exposures to toxic substances. When “what we don't know” looms much larger than “what we do know,” it is difficult to gain the trust and confidence of the communities we serve. Additionally, the lack of robust toxicological data can lead to temporary guidance numbers for evaluating levels of chemicals. These challenges arise out of limited toxicological knowledge and changes in health-based criteria that reflect advancing science, lack of understanding of environmental fate and transport, and ongoing site investigation. A current example of risk communication for emerging contaminants is groundwater contamination from perfluorochemicals (PFCs) in Washington County, Minnesota. An extensive program of groundwater sampling of public and private wells has found that concentrations of PFCs exceed MDH guidelines in more than 100 private wells, an industrial plant well, and some municipal wells. Measures to prevent or reduce exposure to PFCs include bottled water, whole house granular activated carbon (GAC) filters, a municipal GAC filter system and extension of municipal water service to new areas. This presentation will explore the challenges of risk communication for emerging contaminants and interim guidance through the example of PFCs, including:1.Preparing the target audience for continuing change and developments, 2.Consistent messaging in the context of changing science, 3.Helping the target audience see the measure of public health protection built into health based standards, 4.Collaboration between agencies as a powerful tool in fostering credibility and public confidence.

Learning Objectives:

1.List the attributes of emerging contaminants that present a challenge for risk communication. 2.Describe the two world views; the scientist and the layperson.
• Construct messages that prepare the audience for new scientfic developments and changing advice.

Keywords: Environmental Health, Risk Communication

Related Web page: www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/hazardous/topics/pfcshealth.html

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

• Slides (pdf) or Handout
• Multimedia recording