At the beginning of the nineties the process of environmental health risks assessment and reduction was initiated which at present is developing into the process of risk management and risk control. Health risks assessment and their subsequent control is oneof the duties of the hygieneservice laid down inAct 258/2000, i.e. the Act of public health protection. A part of the process of risk communication and risk management is also involvement of public. It is important to assess how people evaluate risks they encounter in everyday life. It is important to know which risks they consider important and whether they are able and willing to resolve them. Knowledge of the mechanism of risk perception is an essential prerequisite for public involvement in the process of technological risk management. The article provides theoretical framework needed to understand basic principles of risk perception and risk communication.

        Key words: theoretical background - risk perception - risk communication - public involvement - risk management