Understanding Controversies Related to Emerging Risks
Abstract
Public authorities, international organisations and private operators generally have a
limited understanding of how risks issues emerge. Whilst much research and
development have gone into risk assessment, and more recently risk communication,
fewer efforts have gone into gaining better knowledge of the mechanisms involved in the
labelling of a particular activity as a risk. To take the case of EMF, apart from studies in the
UK (Burgess, 2004) and in France (Borraz et al., 2004), limited knowledge is available to
explain how exactly mobile telephony has come to be seen and managed as a (potential)
risk for health. In most cases, regulators and operators alike undertake to manage risks
without having any actual knowledge concerning the origins or the dynamics of the issue. [Premier paragraphe]