Uncertainties about the Health Effects of Heavy Metal Contamination: The Case of Metallochemia
Chapter
Abstract
This paper investigates the role of scientific uncertainty in the risk communication process associated with the shutdown of a polluting industrial plant in a district of Budapest. First, the history of the plant’s operation between 1910 and 1990 is presented. This is followed by the description of the public communication efforts and the various uncertainties influencing these efforts. The paper concludes that scientific uncertainties about the degree of pollution, human exposure, health effects, remedial actions, and preventive measures are important factors of successful communication. However, the role of uncertainty in a public debate depends highly on other characteristics of the controversy including the values, interests, and opportunities of the various parties.
Keywords
Lead Exposure Blood Lead Level Environmental Impact Assessment Remedial Action Scientific Uncertainty
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
- 1.Szabuka, M., Ivanyi, Zs., Peter, S., Szentesi, I., and Czeizel, E. (1980) Environmental lead contamination and reproduction (in Hungarian), Nepegeszsegugy 61, 46–51.Google Scholar
- 2.Vegvari, A. (1990) Greens in Nagyteteny (in Hungarian), Oko 1.Google Scholar
- 3.Sarkany, E., Kekesi, 0., Rudnai, P., Paszternak, P., and Papai, D. (1989) Map on cancer mortality in a district of Budapest 1979–1984 (in Hungarian), Medicus Universalis XXIIII, 13–16.Google Scholar
- 4.Kekesi, O. and Sarkany, E. (1991) Cancer and Environment (in Hungarian), manuscript.Google Scholar
- 5.Kornyezetvedelmi Intezet. (1990) Environmental Impact Assessment with Regard to the MO Highway (in Hungarian).Google Scholar
- 6.Farago, K. (in press) Risk communication about the rehabilitation of contaminated sites, in P.C.R. Gray, M. Biocca, and R-M. Stem (eds.), Communication Environmental and Health Risks in Europe Center for Environment and Risk Management, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, U.K.Google Scholar
- 7.Vari, A. and Farago, K. (1991) From open debate to position war: Siting a radioactive waste repository in Hungary, Waste Management 11, 173–182.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 8.Szirmai, V. (1993) The structural mechanisms of the organization of ecological-social movements in Hungary, in A. Vari and P. Tamas (eds.), Environment and Democratic Transition: Policy and Politics in Central and Eastern Europe, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, pp. 146–156.Google Scholar
- 9.Juhasz, J., Vari, A., and Tolgyesi, J. (1993) Environmental conflict and political change: Public perception on low-level radioactive waste management in Hungary, in A. Vari and P. Tamas (eds.), Environment and Democratic Transition: Policy and Politics in Central and Eastern Europe, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, pp. 227–248.Google Scholar
- 10.Szabo. (1977)Google Scholar
- 11.Horvath, A., Bozsai, G., Szabados, M., Karolyi, E., and Szabo, M. (1980) Soil contamination with heavy metals in the environment of a lead foundry On Hungarian), Magyar Kemikusok Lapja XXXV, 3.Google Scholar
- 12.Kekesi, O. (1982) Micro-epidemiology of cancer morbidity in a Budapest district On Hungarian), Medicos Universalis XV, no. 6, 289–295.Google Scholar
- 13.Kornyezetvedelmi Intezet. (1985) Environmental Impact Assessment with Regard to Metallochemia (Metalloglobus) (in Hungarian).Google Scholar
- 14.Vegvari, A. and Kekesi, O. (1992) The activity and participation of the Green Future Association in decision making, paper presented at the International Workshop on Public Participation in Environmental Decisions, Budapest (October).Google Scholar
- 15.Zold Jovo Komyezetvedelmi Kozpont es Egyesulet. (1991) Recommendations on the Rehabilitation of the Metallochemia Site and the Environment of Metallochemia (in Hungarian).Google Scholar
- 16.Budapesti Verosepitesi Tervezo Intezet. (1989) Development Program for the 22nd District Until 2000 (in Hungarian).Google Scholar
- 17.Soos, K. (1990) Results of Lead and Cadmium Tests Associated with Environmental Contamination in the 22nd District of Budapest (in Hungarian), OETI Report (June).Google Scholar
- 18.Groszman, M., Hudak, A., Kovacs, I., Niray, M., Nagy, I., Szepvolgyí, E., Szendro, Z., Timar, M., and Zsogon, E. (1990) Examination of blood lead and zinc-protoporphyrin levels in people (children and adults) living in the area of a lead-waste processing plant (in Hungarian with English abstract), Egeszsegtudomtany 34, 308–326.Google Scholar
- 19.Hudak, A (1990) Inappropriate judgments on lead exposure based on the concentration of deltaamino-levulinacid in the urine of children (in Hungarian), Egeszsegtudomany 34, 293–300.Google Scholar
- 20.Noveny- es Talajvedelmi Szolgalat. (1990) Report on the Data Collection Program in the Contaminated Nagyteteny Region (in Hungarian).Google Scholar
- 21.Metalloglobus. (1993)Google Scholar
- 22.Levidow, L. (1994) Biotechnology risk controversy; de/politicizing uncertainty. Paper presented at the Conference of the European Association for the Study of Sciences and Technology, Budapest (August).Google Scholar
- 23.Campbell, B.L. (1985) Uncertainty as symbolic action in disputes among experts, Social Studies of Science 15, 429–453.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Szatmari, J.I. (1977) Lead in the smoke (in Hungarian), Uj Tukor (November 13 ), 6–8.Google Scholar
Copyright information
© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 1996