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Lay Understanding of Synergistic Risk: The Case of Radon and Cigarette Smoking

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  • Sarah E. Hampson
  • Judy A. Andrews
  • Michael E. Lee
  • Lyn S. Foster
  • Russell E. Glasgow
  • Edward Liechtenstein

Abstract

The combination of radon and smoking produces a synergistic risk of lung cancer. Lay understanding of this risk was examined from the perspectives of mental models theory, the psychometric approach to risk perception, and optimistic bias. As assessed by interview, participants (N= 50) had more extensive mental models for the risks of smoking than for the risks of radon or the combination of radon and smoking; 32% knew little or nothing about radon. Despite reading an informational brochure, their risk‐perception ratings of the three hazards showed no perception of the synergy between smoking and radon risk, although the combined hazard was rated as less familiar but more controllable than the average of the single hazards (p

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  • Sarah E. Hampson & Judy A. Andrews & Michael E. Lee & Lyn S. Foster & Russell E. Glasgow & Edward Liechtenstein, 1998. "Lay Understanding of Synergistic Risk: The Case of Radon and Cigarette Smoking," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 18(3), pages 343-350, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:riskan:v:18:y:1998:i:3:p:343-350
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1539-6924.1998.tb01300.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Weinstein, N.D. & Klotz, M.L. & Sandman, P.M., 1988. "Optimistic biases in public perceptions of the risk from radon," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 78(7), pages 796-800.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ian G. J. Dawson & Johnnie E. V. Johnson & Michelle A. Luke, 2012. "Do People Believe Combined Hazards Can Present Synergistic Risks?," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 32(5), pages 801-815, May.
    2. Klaus Wagner, 2007. "Mental Models of Flash Floods and Landslides," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(3), pages 671-682, June.
    3. Bryan Williams & Melina Magsumbol, 2007. "Perceptions toward stewardship among residents living near U.S. Department of Energy Nuclear Facilities," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 49-78, February.
    4. Sarah E. Hampson & Judy A. Andrews & Maureen Barckley & Michael E. Lee & Edward Lichtenstein, 2003. "Assessing Perceptions of Synergistic Health Risk: A Comparison of Two Scales," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 23(5), pages 1021-1029, October.
    5. Ian G. J. Dawson & Johnnie E. V. Johnson & Michelle A. Luke, 2013. "Helping Individuals to Understand Synergistic Risks: An Assessment of Message Contents Depicting Mechanistic and Probabilistic Concepts," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 33(5), pages 851-865, May.
    6. Wouter Poortinga & Patrick Cox & Nick F. Pidgeon, 2008. "The Perceived Health Risks of Indoor Radon Gas and Overhead Powerlines: A Comparative Multilevel Approach," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(1), pages 235-248, February.
    7. David P. French & Emma L. Gayton & Jessica Burton & Margaret Thorogood & Theresa M. Marteau, 2002. "Measuring Perceptions of Synergistic Circulatory Disease Risk Due to Smoking and the Oral Contraceptive Pill," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 22(6), pages 1139-1151, December.

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