The increased threat of and heightened concern for terrorist attacks since 9/11 has reinvigorated the debate about industrial production security efforts, especially in the chemical manufacturing and refining industry. Through a telephone survey (n=400), researchers examined public perceptions of industry preparedness in the event of terrorism by featuring several risk communication variables. Results suggest that near-neighbor community residents who are more aware of recent industry terrorism security efforts demonstrate an increased sense of risk of living in an "at-risk" community. But residents who are aware of industry's efforts related to safety and terrorism express more trust for local industry and government officials, are more cognitively involved, and are more supportive of the local chemical industry.

"When critics caution against communication because it could aid terrorist planning, advocates of effective risk communication need reinforcement that their efforts can lead to an empowered rather than a cowed community," the researchers say.