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Navigating this Website
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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Risk Communication Toolkit
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Acknowledgements

The members of the Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council (ITRC) PFAS, 1,4-dioxane and HCBs Teams wish to acknowledge and thank the individuals, organizations, and agencies that contributed to this online Risk Communication Toolkit document.

The PFAS Team was led by: Bob Mueller, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and Ginny Yingling, Minnesota Department of Health.

The 1,4-dioxane team was led by: Heather Barbare, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Gladys A. Liehr, Florida Department of Health, and Kirsten Hiortdahl, formerly of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.

The HCBs team was led by: Ben Holcomb, Utah Department of Environmental Quality and Angela Shambaugh, Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation.

The team leaders were assisted by Program Advisors: Lesley Hay Wilson and Jim Rocco of Sage Risk Solutions LLC for the PFAS Team; Matt Placky of GDIT for the 1,4-dioxane Team; and Cherri Baysinger of Cymbella Consulting, LLC for the HCBs Team.  Tadbir Singh, ITRC/ECOS Program Associate provided support to the teams.

During the development of the Risk Communication Toolkit the team received many comments and reviews from experts across U.S. EPA, U.S. DOD and U.S. DOE, state agencies, consultants, stakeholders and academic institutions. This input was invaluable to the development of this ITRC product. The teams greatly appreciate the many others who offered advice, suggestions, reviews and comments.

Specifically, the teams wish to thank and recognize the efforts and important contributions of the following ITRC members.

State and Local Government


Rachel Blomberg
Colorado DPHE

Jeff Biggs
City of Tucson Water Department

Randy Chapman
Virginia DEQ

Jesseka Forbes
Florida DOH

Julie Kadrie
Minnesota DOH

Dan Kendall
Iowa DNR

Annalisa Kihara
California State Water Resources Board

Kevin Lund
Michigan EGLE

Mike Murphy
Virginia DEQ

Christine Osborne
UT DEQ

Daniel Pena
Minnesota DOH

Kerry Kirk Pflugh
New Jersey DEP

Victor Poretti
New Jersey DEP

Gloria Post
New Jersey DEP

Brian Reese
Idaho DEQ

Divinia Ries
Michigan EGLE

Tadbir Singh
ITRC/ECOS

Matt Smith
Orange County Sanitation District

Richard Spiese
Vermont DEC

Rebecca Stanton
California OEHHA

Lanita Walker
City of Tallahassee

Federal Government


Caroline Baier-Anderson
USEPA

Melissa Forrest
US DOD NMCPHC

Hannah Holsinger
USEPA

Patsy Kerr
US DOD NMCPHC

Kendra Leibman
US DOD Navy

Yvette Lowney
SERDP-ESTCP

Academia, and Emeritus, Public and Tribal Stakeholders


David Bond
Bennington College

Lenny Seigel
Center for Public Environmental Oversight

Edward (Ted) Emmett
University of Pennsylvania

Peter Strauss
PM Strauss & Associates

Industry Affiliates


Melissa Harclerode
CDM Smith

Katrina McCullough
GHD

Lisa McIntosh
Woodard & Curran

Francis Ramacciotti
GHD

Dan Schneider
Terracon

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