Abstract

This article explores the relationship between media coverage of chemical hazards, scientific understandings of chemical risk, and policy change in the USA at the state level from 1990 to 2010. We observe that media coverage compounded by scientific development, especially in relation to a greater understanding of chemical hazards and approaches to its management, affected public perception of health and environmental risk, aiding in a shift of expectations about necessary levels of statutory protection from the states. We also note the emergence of effective framings of chemical risk around impacts on vulnerable populations, such as children, where media attention and policy action created important coalitions of support. The resulting increased state-, county-, and city-level policy action eventually led to support and momentum policy change at the federal level. This study helps to clarify how media attention to chemical hazards may play an important role in influencing eventual policy responses and risk management approaches.

中文翻译：

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媒体的关注和政策回应：美国的21世纪化学法规

摘要

本文探讨了1990年至2010年美国在州一级对化学危害的媒体报道，对化学风险的科学理解与政策变化之间的关系。我们观察到，媒体报道与科学发展相辅相成，尤其是与更大的理解有关化学危害及其管理方法，影响了公众对健康和环境风险的认识，从而帮助人们对各州对法定保护水平的期望有所转变。我们还注意到围绕对诸如儿童等弱势人群的影响而产生的有效的化学风险框架，在媒体上的关注和政策行动建立了重要的支持联盟。结果导致州，县，城市一级的政策行动最终导致了联邦一级的支持和动力政策变化。这项研究有助于阐明媒体对化学危害的关注如何在影响最终的政策对策和风险管理方法中发挥重要作用。