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SOT Council Appears at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
May 21, 2009
The SOT Council and researchers at George Mason University held a press conference at the National Press Club to discuss the preliminary results of the STATs (Statistical Assessment Service) survey of our membership. The survey focused on toxicologists’ opinions of chemical risk, including media handling of toxicological information. SOT’s participation in the George Mason University research effort was undertaken in recognition of the current gaps in communication between toxicologists, the press and the public. The meeting is consistent with the Society’s strategic priorities to increase the scientific impact of toxicology and to advocate the value of toxicology. The process is at the very early stages of data evaluation. The polling of a subset of the general membership, though limited in terms of its value in defining measures of perceived or real risk, is a useful tool to begin to define some of the critical issues that can help drive discussions between toxicologists, the media and the general public. We as scientists need to improve the way we communicate our results, interpretations, perspectives, and recommendations so that the public can better understand toxicology information.
View Press Release: Are Chemicals Killing Us? Toxicologists Say Media Overstate Risks 
View the press conference on YouTube.
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