Radon and cigarette smoking: Perceptions of this synergistic health risk

Past approaches to the measurement of the perceived risk of combined hazard s have failed to demonstrate awareness of synergy (S. E. Hampson et al., 19 98; D. Hermand, E. Mullet, & B. Coutelle, 1995; D. Hermand, E. Mullet, & S. Lavieville, 1997). Respondents (N = 650) were provided with information ab out the synergistic risk of lung cancer from the combination of smoking and radon, and their risk perceptions were assessed on two occasions. At Time 1, using Likert-type scales, there was no evidence of synergistic risk perc eption. At Time 2, using a scale based on the appraisal of relative risk wi th anchors allowing for the expression of synergy, the combined hazard of r adon and smoking was rated as significantly more of a health risk than the single hazards. The findings are discussed in terms of methodological issue s in assessing synergistic risk.