Ann F. Cook and Helena Hoas
International Journal of Risk Research. 12(1);105-113, 2008.
This article discusses risk assessment and decisionmaking in the rural community of Libby, Montana. This community faces serious health risks from decades of exposure to asbestos from a vermiculite mine. The risks from the exposure are not only occupational; they involve the greater community as well. The article explores an issue that has become increasingly evident in this community: the willingness or ability to recognize a problem, like serious environmental contamination, can be influenced by one’s perceived willingness or ability to accept or manage the consequences of such recognition. This finding has emerged not only in this community but in a number of our other studies. Findings suggest that if the consequences of recognition are not deemed as manageable (e.g., perceived ability to move to a safer location or the willingness to change occupations), residents will minimize the scope of a problem and remain in a situation that continues to expose them to serious risk.This tension needs to be recognized and managed when trying to find innovative solutions and effective policies for risk assessment.