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2016 Autumn | Agriculture and Food Systems, Education & Outreach, Environmental Justice, Natural Science & Restoration, Sustainability

Site Related Advisories: How to Reach the Most at Risk

Student(s):

Timothy Gonzales

Program or Department(s):

  • Program on the Environment
  • University of Washington

Site supervisor(s):

Arthur Wendel MD MPH, ATSDR Region 10

Partner(s):

  • Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Region 10

Faculty advisor(s):

Todd Wildermuth Environmental Law Director, University of Washington

Runoff along waterways has created a toxic environment for marine life. Through bioaccumulation these toxins are making their way into the fish we consume. The purpose of this study was to determine the risk communication methods implemented in Region 10. By communicating with stakeholders, I found that due to budget constraints health departments are taking a minimalist approach to risk communication. The significance is that we are not doing enough to communicate the risks associated with overconsuming contaminated fish to the subsistence fishers along our waterways who depend on the fish they catch as a large portion of their diet.