Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:07:40 +0000
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
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From: Ralph B Stuart <rstuart**At_Symbol_Here**CORNELL.EDU>
Subject: Re: Chemical Safety headlines from Google (13 articles)
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In-Reply-To: <a82d.760c3bd2.3c1b48fd**At_Symbol_Here**cs.com>

> This is rare.  Instead, most of what you read should just be looked at for three basic facts:  an accident occurred, when, and where

 

A related story of possible general interest:

I taught a HAZWOPER course to undergraduates for 10 years and the final exercise is a hands on event. One of the roles we assigned for the event was a reporter to ask the public's questions and then write a press release describing the event in lay terms, accurately.

 

One year, I chose a student at random for this role and she said "That's neat - my father's a reporter." I said "Good, so you know how to handle this situation.". And she said "Yes, the most important thing is not to panic the public".

 

That took me aback a bit, as I thought that writing an accurate story might come first, but after about 2 years of watching the google headlines, I agree with her interpretation of the paper's priorities. The primary role of many stories is to help people avoid traffic problems resulting from a hazmat event. Which is actuallya pretty worthy goal during an event, both for the public and the people managing the scene…

 

- Ralph

 

Ralph Stuart CIH

Laboratory Ventilation Specialist

Department of Environmental Health and Safety

Cornell University

 

rstuart**At_Symbol_Here**cornell.edu

 

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