Threat perceptions in acute chemical disasters

ABSTRACT

This paper describes the differential perception of disaster threat exhibited by 300 organizational respondents in 19 American communities. Statistical analysis of the relationships between threat perception and selected social climate variables is conducted in an attempt to identify some of the factors that influence this differential perception of threat. In particular, the finding that three chemically related disaster agents are ranked in the top four probable community disasters is examined. Implications of this finding for chemical disaster planning are noted as well as some corrective measures which might be undertaken to improve preparedness for acute chemical emergencies (AU)