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
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (13)

  1. Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  3. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  4. Technical Communication Quarterly
  5. Technical Communication Quarterly
Show all 13 →
  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. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  6. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  7. Written Communication
  8. Technical Communication Quarterly

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