HABs Risk Communication Hub

Risk communication is a critical step in addressing contaminants of emerging concern. There are differences in the messaging and methods by which environmental agencies and health departments share information with various audiences.

In June 2018, the Environmental Council of States (ECOS) and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), under a Memorandum of Agreement with U.S. EPA, published case studies and hosted webinars to highlight state-level risk communication of waterborne contaminants, including PFAS and harmful algal blooms (HABs). ECOS and ASTHO interviewed environmental and health agency staff from 13 states regarding their risk communication strategies and lessons learned for these two contaminants. Compiled information includes background on site contamination, development of guidance values and health advisories, rollout of advisories and relevant resources, key messages for the public, and challenges and gaps. The case studies’ key findings offer considerations to other states and stakeholders seeking to implement or improve their risk communication practices.

• Case Study: Missouri Department of Natural Resources/Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
• Case Study: North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
• Case Study: Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
• Case Study: Utah Department of Environmental Quality

The PFAS Risk Communication Hub, including state resources and fact sheets related to PFAS, can be found here.

Other HABs Resources

Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality

• HABs Management Plan

Kansas Department of Health and Environment:

• HABs Publications

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality:

• Algae Brochure
• Information on HABs

National Institute of Health:

• NIEHS HABs Webpage

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Ecological Society of America:

• Harmful Algal Research and Response: A National Environmental Science Strategy, 2005–2015

New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services:

• Cyanobacteria Harmful Algal Blooms
• Current Beach Advisory Maps
• Sample Press Release: State Issues Cyanobacteria Warnings for Lake Winnipesaukee

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency:

• Public Water System Harmful Algal Bloom Response Strategy

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:

• Incident Action Checklist
  • Provides information on preparedness and response actions water utilities can take during a harmful algal bloom incident.
• Cyanotoxin Risk Communication Toolbox for Drinking Water
• Communicating about Cyanobacterial Blooms and Toxins in Recreational Waters

U.S. Geological Survey and Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Environmental Studies:

• Understanding Algal Blooms FAQ

Utah Department of Environmental Quality:

• HABs Homepage
  • Updates on the conditions for each waterbody are listed, including
    toxin levels, cyanobacteria cell-count concentrations, data sheets, and
    location and dates for sampling.
• HABs Risk Communication Strategies PowerPoint
• HABs Frequently Asked Questions
• Utah HABs Guidance Summary
• Single Overriding Communications Objective (SOCO) Work Sheet
• Data buoys (real-time info)
• Response Plans
  • Drinking Water Harmful Algal Bloom & Cyanotoxin Response Plan
  • Utah Department of Agriculture Response Plan
• Health Effects
• Recreational Health Advisory Guidance for Harmful Algal Blooms

Have resources you would like to share?

Email ECOS at shughes@ecos.org