Risk Communication, Metacommunication, and Rhetorical Stases in the Aspen-EPA Superfund Controversy

JAMES F. STRATMAN ; CAROLYN BOYKIN ; MARTI C. HOLMES University of Colorado Denver ; M. JANE LAUFER ; MARION BREEN University of Colorado Denver

Abstract

This article explores the relationship between current theoretical definitions of risk communication, the unique national role that EPA plays in defining health and environmental risks, and possible explanations for EPA's inability to persuade the city of Aspen, Colorado, to accept its plan for a massive cleanup of toxic lead mine wastes. Many explanations for the reversal of EPA's cleanup plan at Aspen could be advanced, but we concentrate on the definition of risk communication upon which EPA's internal risk communication guidelines are based—guidelines that its field representatives are invited to follow. In particular, we now explore ownership messages conveyed through metacommunication conflict with EPA's risk communication guidelines.

Journal
Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published
1995-01-01
DOI
10.1177/1050651995009001002
Open Access
Closed

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (11)

  1. Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Technical Communication Quarterly
  5. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Show all 11 →
  1. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  2. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  3. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  4. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  5. Written Communication
  6. Technical Communication Quarterly

Cites in this index (2)

  1. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Written Communication
Also cites 7 works outside this index ↓
  1. 10.5465/amr.1984.4279664
  2. 10.5465/AME.1988.4277259
  3. 10.1080/03637756409375419
  4. 10.1177/0893318991004003005
  5. 10.1080/10510978609368213
  6. 10.1109/47.180286
  7. 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a114941
CrossRef global citation count: 20 View in citation network →