Protocol for Cryptosporidium Risk Communication for Drinking Water Utilities

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Protocol for Cryptosporidium Risk Communication
for Drinking Water Utilities
Mitch Small, Baruch Fischhoff, Claire Palmgren,
Felicia Wu, Elizabeth Casman
Center for Integrated Study of the Human
Dimensions of Global Change,Carnegie Mellon
University
Sponsored by a grant from the American Water
Works Association Research Foundation
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What is cryptosporidiosis?
Acute gastrointestinal disease Caused in humans
by an intracellular protozoan parasite,
Cryptosporidium parvum Symptoms include explosive
watery diarrhea, nausea, low-grade
fever Self-limiting in otherwise healthy
hosts Can be fatal in people with AIDS No cure
currently available
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Small concentrations of Cryptosporidium are
likely to be found in many drinking- water source
and finished waters.

• How should utilities report this information to
  avoid misunderstandings?
• How can utilities communicate risk and
  uncertainty while maintaining customer
  confidence?
• How can the utility be sure customers understand
  the information?

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Mental Models Methodology

• Depicts an individuals beliefs regarding a risk
  process and the options for addressing the risk
• Identifies crucial gaps in information and
  misunderstandings by contrasting the mental model
  with an expert model

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Mental Models Protocol

• Develop expert model of Cryptosporidium
  transmission
• Interview public about Cryptosporidium risk
• Develop lay public mental model of
  Cryptosporidium risk
• Compare lay knowledge with expert model to
  identify significant gaps
• Create structured questionnaire incorporating
  critical facts and gaps
• Create communication instrument
• Test success of communication
• Iteratively refine communication

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Expert Model
Top Level Diagram Awareness, Communication, and
Behavior
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Contamination of Drinking Water Module
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Health Effects Module
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Other Sources Module
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• Progress to date
• Completion of Expert Model
• External Review of Expert Model
• Review of existing communication instruments
  (brochures and websites) for content, form, and
  accessibility
• Development of lay elicitation materials
• Pre-testing of lay elicitation protocol
• Completed plan for in-depth interviews