Risk perception and risk communication

What is the issue?

Discussions in regions affected by power grid expansion or conversion – and the corresponding media coverage – are dominated by aspects relating to conservation, environmental protection and the adverse impact on the landscape. Moreover questions are raised about the health risks due to static and low-frequency fields. These issues involve not only a number of factual arguments but also emotions and anxieties. This topic centres around two key questions:

• What do citizens think about health issues relating to power grid expansion?
• What is the best way to provide the public with access to the latest scientific knowledge about this topic?

What is the current situation?

In December 2017, the BfS organised a stakeholder discussion on risk communication in relation to power grid expansion. The main outcomes of the discussion were:

• Different groups of stakeholders use the relevant terminology in different ways, especially when it comes to key terms such as "risk" or "exposure", which can lead to misunderstandings.
• The importance of local communication was emphasised.
• There are often disparities in the technical knowledge of government employees, medical professionals and political representatives at the local level. Therefore, the best way of keeping local citizens informed remains to be clarified.

What are the objectives of the BfS research projects?

The research projects aim to

• identify best practices in risk and exposure communication
• determine the general public’s level of risk perception and knowledge
• promote the consistent use of terminology.

This is intended to make it easier for citizens to access information, especially in regions affected by power grid expansion or conversion. Local health authorities and medical professionals who provide members of the public with information about the issue shall be supported by the BfS.