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Dealing with Toxicity in the Risk Society

The Case of the Hamilton, Ontario Plastics Recycling Fire

Bibliographic Data

ID12924920
AuthorsSaleem H Ali (0000-0003-0961-4327, York University, corresponding author)
Year2002
Volume39
Issue1
Pages29-48
Publication date2002-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCanadian Review of Sociology/Revue canadienne de sociologie (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1755-6171 • E-ISSN: 1755-618X
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1755-618x.2002.tb00610.x
OpenAlexW2065517789
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited25

Une perspective de la construction sociale sert de cadre a l'analyse des controverses sur la gestion des risques qui ont été provoquées à la suite d'un incendie majeur dans une usine de recyclage de matières plastiques à Hamilton, en Ontario. En mettant l'accent sur les processus de réclamation au cœur de l'interaction entre les représen‐tants du gouvernement, les acteurs environnementaux, les experts techniques et les résidants, il a été révélé qu'un accent trop limité aux questions d'ordre technique avait mené a l'exclusion des préoccupations fondées sur la rationalité culturelle ayant ainsi entraine un cadre d'interaction très litigieux divisant profondément. Les conséquences des conclusions empiriques de la thése de la société des risques ainsi que de la théorie sur la communication des risques sont explorées. A social construction perspective is applied in the analysis of the risk management controversies that arose in response to a large toxic fire that occurred at a Hamilton, Ontario plastics recycling facility. By focussing on the claimsmaking processes involved in the interaction of government officials, environmental movement actors, technical experts, and residents, it was found that an overly narrow focus on technical matters led to the exclusion of lay concerns based on cultural rationality, thereby resulting in a very contentious and divisive setting for interaction. Implications of the empirical findings for the risk society thesis and risk communication theory are explored

Humanities · Political science · Sociology · Disaster Management and Resilience · Environmental and Social Impact Assessments · Philosophy · Risk Perception and Management

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    Open Access•Sasha Engelmann•Geographical Research•2026

  • A socio-ecological autopsy of the E. coli O157

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  • Postcolonial riskscapes

    Open Access•J R Rose, Jarrett Rose et al.•Social Theory & Health•2023

  • Contextualizing Risk Perception and Trust in the Community-Based Response to Ebola Virus Disease in Liberia

    Open Access•Saleem H Ali, Kathryn Wells et al.•International Journal of…•2021

  • Morality in the Mountains

    Open Access•Jason Laurendeau, Sara Moroz•Communication & Sport•2012

  • Public Meetings on Contamination

    Open Access•Nelta Edwards•Humanity & Society•2006

  • Disaster and the Political Economy of Recycling

    Saleem H Ali, Harris Ali•Social Problems•2002

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    Stephen Robert Couch•Communities at risk•1991

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  • The Culture and Power of Knowledge

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  • On systematically distorted communication

    Jürgen Habermas, Nicole Curato•Inquiry•1970

  • Mad Cows and Mother’s Milk

    Douglas Powell, William Lei et al.•Mad Cows and Mother's Milk•1997

  • The Search for a Landfill Site in the Risk Society

    Open Access•Saleem H Ali•Canadian Review of Sociology/Revue…•1999

  • Risk society

    Ulrich Beck•Risikogesellschaft•1992

  • Trust, Risk and the Public

    Open Access•Saleem H Ali, Harris Ali•The Canadian Journal of Sociology•1997

  • Popular Epidemiology and Toxic Waste Contamination

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  • Science in Environmental Conflicts

    Open Access•Connie P Ozawa•Sociological Perspectives•1996

  • Disaster and the Political Economy of Recycling

    Saleem H Ali, Harris Ali•Social Problems•2002

  • Risky Business

    Colin Mcmullan, John Eyles•Social Problems•1999

  • Environment, Modernity and the Risk-Society

    Open Access•Arthur P J Mol, Arthur Pj Mol et al.•International Sociology•1993

  • Popular Epidemiology Revisited

    Open Access•Phil Brown•Current Sociology•1997

  • Contamination, Corrosion and the Social Order

    Open Access•William R Freudenburg•Current Sociology•1997

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    Open Access•Stephen Kroll-Smith, Steve Kroll-Smith et al.•Current Sociology•1997

  • Being Constructive

    Open Access•Kate Burningham, Geoff Cooper•Sociology•1999

Unique citing works7
Citations per year0,29
Citation span2002 - 2026 (25)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 7
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