TY - JOUR T1 - Do participants in well water testing programs update their exposure and health risk perceptions? JF - Journal of Soil and Water Conservation SP - 320 LP - 325 VL - 53 IS - 4 AU - G. L. Poe AU - H. M. van Es AU - T. P. VandenBerg AU - R. C. Bishop Y1 - 1998/10/01 UR - http://www.jswconline.org/content/53/4/320.abstract N2 - This paper uses data from two studies about people's perceptions of nitrate health risks and exposure before and after a well testing program to investigate whether people update their perceptions about risk when they get new information. Graphical analyses demonstrate that, on the whole, updating occurs when well test information is provided. Statistical analyses indicate that the way in which people update their perceptions is related to their prior perceptions and nitrate test levels. Evidence that people do change how they view these issues demonstrates that public information programs can be effective in modifying individual perceptions of risk, and offers a critical first step in assessing the cost effectiveness of such programs. ER -