Unfamiliar risks People are more suspicious of risks that are unfamiliar or unknown. For instance, people perceive the risk associated with natural gas vehicles to be higher than the statistical risk because these types of vehicles are not a familiar technology. When the source of a risk is a natural substance or process, it is also perceived to be more acceptable than an unnatural risk. People do not judge natural and manmade risks equally. For instance, when natural gas is in the ground, it is a natural phenomenon but as soon as it is processed and enters the pipeline, it becomes industrial gas, and the perceived risks associated with it are higher.
Industry is held to a higher level of responsibility because of the manmade nature of the risk.
When a gas company is siting new facilities, the affected public often feels that it is having unwelcome risks imposed upon them. When people are given only one choice, they will push for more options. People become the most active when they will be affected by a decision over which they believe they have no control. People believe that risks should be equitably distributed. Risks are perceived as being more acceptable if the benefits and risks affect locations similarly and do not unfairly burden future generations or vulnerable populations.