Citizens' Perception and Concerns on Chemical Exposures and Human Biomonitoring-Results from a Harmonized Qualitative Study in Seven European Countries
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Citizens' Perception and Concerns on Chemical Exposures and Human Biomonitoring-Results from a Harmonized Qualitative Study in Seven European Countries. / Matisāne, Linda; Knudsen, Lisbeth E; Lobo Vicente, Joana; Uhl, Maria; Katsonouri, Andromachi; van den Brand, Annick D; Berman, Tamar; Dimovska, Mirjana; Anastasi, Eleni; Thoma, Anthi; Középesy, Szilvia; Gjorgjev, Dragan; Borota Popovska, Mirjana; den Braver-Sewradj, Shalenie P; Szigeti, Tamás; Topuzovska Latkovikj, Marija; Mārtiņsone, Inese; Akūlova, Lāsma; Paegle, Linda.
In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol. 19, No. 11, 2022.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Citizens' Perception and Concerns on Chemical Exposures and Human Biomonitoring-Results from a Harmonized Qualitative Study in Seven European Countries
AU - Matisāne, Linda
AU - Knudsen, Lisbeth E
AU - Lobo Vicente, Joana
AU - Uhl, Maria
AU - Katsonouri, Andromachi
AU - van den Brand, Annick D
AU - Berman, Tamar
AU - Dimovska, Mirjana
AU - Anastasi, Eleni
AU - Thoma, Anthi
AU - Középesy, Szilvia
AU - Gjorgjev, Dragan
AU - Borota Popovska, Mirjana
AU - den Braver-Sewradj, Shalenie P
AU - Szigeti, Tamás
AU - Topuzovska Latkovikj, Marija
AU - Mārtiņsone, Inese
AU - Akūlova, Lāsma
AU - Paegle, Linda
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - Exposure to different chemicals is an inevitable part of our everyday lives. Within HBM4EU, focus group discussions were conducted to gather data on citizens' perceptions of chemical exposure and human biomonitoring. These discussions were hosted in Cyprus, Denmark, Hungary, Israel, Latvia, the Netherlands, and North Macedonia following a protocol developed in the first round of discussions. Results indicate the very high concern of European citizens regarding food safety and the environment. Focus group participants were well aware of potential uptake of chemicals through food consumption (e.g., preservatives, flavor enhancers, coloring agents, pesticides, fertilizers, metals), drinking water, or from polluted air and water. One of the positive aspects identified here, is the high interest of citizens in awareness and education on personal measures to control exposure. The promotion of personal behavioral changes requires active involvement of society (e.g., commuting habits, energy choices, waste disposal, dietary habits). Activities should focus on raising awareness of the general public, implementation of policy measures, and mainstreaming of related topics into the education system. Raising awareness of the general public may promote engagement of citizens, which in turn may empower them to put pressure on politicians to take effective actions. There is also a need for further research which might focus on the impact of country-specific situations and of the COVID-19 pandemic on the exposure of citizens to chemicals.
AB - Exposure to different chemicals is an inevitable part of our everyday lives. Within HBM4EU, focus group discussions were conducted to gather data on citizens' perceptions of chemical exposure and human biomonitoring. These discussions were hosted in Cyprus, Denmark, Hungary, Israel, Latvia, the Netherlands, and North Macedonia following a protocol developed in the first round of discussions. Results indicate the very high concern of European citizens regarding food safety and the environment. Focus group participants were well aware of potential uptake of chemicals through food consumption (e.g., preservatives, flavor enhancers, coloring agents, pesticides, fertilizers, metals), drinking water, or from polluted air and water. One of the positive aspects identified here, is the high interest of citizens in awareness and education on personal measures to control exposure. The promotion of personal behavioral changes requires active involvement of society (e.g., commuting habits, energy choices, waste disposal, dietary habits). Activities should focus on raising awareness of the general public, implementation of policy measures, and mainstreaming of related topics into the education system. Raising awareness of the general public may promote engagement of citizens, which in turn may empower them to put pressure on politicians to take effective actions. There is also a need for further research which might focus on the impact of country-specific situations and of the COVID-19 pandemic on the exposure of citizens to chemicals.
KW - Biological Monitoring
KW - COVID-19/epidemiology
KW - Cyprus
KW - Humans
KW - Pandemics
KW - Perception
U2 - 10.3390/ijerph19116414
DO - 10.3390/ijerph19116414
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 35681998
VL - 19
JO - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
JF - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
SN - 1661-7827
IS - 11
ER -
ID: 310624505