Risk communication about environmental hazards.

The development of the new field of risk communication of environmental hazards is briefly described and the term "risk communication" is defined. This is followed by a description of the eight basic steps in risk communication about environmental hazards including: 1) assessing the risk; 2) setting goals; 3) assessing the target audiences; 4) assessing the socio-cultural context; 5) choosing the approach; 6) constructing the communications; 7) implementing the risk program; and 8) evaluating the effects. In describing each step, relevant literature concerning risk communication is reviewed.