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About ITRC
1 Introduction
2 Risk Communication Fundamentals
2 Introduction
2.1 Stakeholder Engagement
2.2 How Communities See Risk
2.3 Earning Trust and Credibility
2.4 Considering When and How to Release Information
2.5 Interacting with Communities
2.6 Explaining Risk
2.7 Challenges to Risk Communication
2.8 Risk Perception Factors
3 Risk Communication Toolkit
3 Introduction
3.1 Caution Statement About Using the Toolkit
3.2 Risk Communication Toolkit Contents
4 Communication Plan Description
4 Introduction
4.1 Step 1: Identify the Issue/Concern
4.2 Step 2: Set Goals and Objectives
4.3 Step 3: Identify Communities & Constraints
4.4 Step 4: Assess Stakeholders/Communities
4.5 Step 5: Identify Messages
4.6 Step 6: Select Communication and Engagement Methods
4.7 Step 7: Implement Strategies
4.8 Step 8: Evaluate, Debrief, and Follow Up
4.9 Training for Practitioners
5 Case Studies
6 Additional Information
Appendix A. Risk Communication Plan Description and Template
Appendix B. SAMPLE SMART GOALS (with PFAS-specific Example)
Appendix C. Audience/Stakeholder Identification Guide (with PFAS-Specific Example)
Appendix D. Key Message Mapping Guide (with PFAS-Specific Example)
Appendix E. Guidance for Press Releases
Appendix F. Guidance for Writing Analytical Results Letters
Appendix G. Social Factors Vision Board (with PFAS-Specific Examples)
Appendix H. Communication Methods Summary Table
Appendix I. Analytical Data Package Public Information Fact Sheet (with PFAS-Specific Example)
Appendix J. Tracking Form for Media Correspondence
Appendix K. Team Contacts
Acronyms
Glossary
Acknowledgements
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5. Case Studies

Introduction

Risk communication case studies have been prepared by various ITRC teams and will be published as part of their technical and regulatory guidance documents. Links to the published case studies are provided in Table 5-1.

Table 5-1. Risk communication case studies

Case Study Name State Issue Environmental Issue/Concern
Little Hocking Water Association (LHWA) PFAS Tech Reg Section 15.4.1 OH PFAS The LHWA is a rural water authority that serves several small communities with a total population of approximately 12,000 residents in 4,000 households. The water intake wells for the LHWA are located directly across the Ohio River from a Teflon production plant that used ammonium perfluorooctanoate (APFO, the ammonium salt of PFOA). The community-first strategy used produced effective results in motivating actions by individuals, government, and industry which led to a significant, measurable reduction in residents’ blood PFOA levels.
Washington County PFAS Tech Reg Section 15.4.3 MN PFAS The most widespread PFAS compound found in the region is PFBA. Additional prominent compounds include PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS, PFPeA, PFHxA, and PFBS, which were always present as a mixture. More than 1,800 private wells, four major aquifers, eight municipal water supply systems, and more than 150 square miles of groundwater were affected by the contamination. This impacted the drinking water supply of more than 140,000 residents.
Bennington College Community Education PFAS Tech Reg Section 14.3.6.4 VT PFAS Academia can serve a role in public education. Bennington College decided to open the doors of its science classrooms to the problem of PFAS contamination impacting the Hoosick Falls, NY community. The college developed and offered a new introductory class on PFOA to local communities free of charge.
       
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