At your own risk : a sociological look at risk assessment and water quality standards

This is a sociological view of the way the US Environmental Protection Agency determines water quality standards as absolute norms in the USA. Parallels are drawn to the situation of developing countries, which are often in no position to establish the often costly procedures of making sure that the standards are maintained. It is argued instead, that it is not the scientists, but the consumers who should be the main force behind determining what are acceptable risks people should face regarding different quality standards for various kinds of water use.