Chemical Exposure: European Citizens’ Perspectives, Trust, and Concerns on Human Biomonitoring Initiatives, Information Needs, and Scientific Results

Maria Uhl, Ricardo R. Santos, Joana Costa, Osvaldo Santos, Ana Virgolino, David S. Evans, Cora Murray, Maurice Mulcahy, Dorothy Ubong, Ovnair Sepai, Joana Lobo Vicente, Michaela Leitner, Silvia Benda-Kahri and Daniela Zanini-Freitag
Additional contact information
Maria Uhl: Environment Agency Austria, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Ricardo R. Santos: Environmental Health Behaviour Lab, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
Joana Costa: Environmental Health Behaviour Lab, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
Osvaldo Santos: Environmental Health Behaviour Lab, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
Ana Virgolino: Environmental Health Behaviour Lab, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
David S. Evans: Health Service Executive, Department of Public Health, Merlin Park Regional Hospital, H91N973 Galway, Ireland
Cora Murray: Health Service Executive, Environmental Health Service, H91EW40 Galway, Ireland
Maurice Mulcahy: Health Service Executive, Environmental Health Service, H91EW40 Galway, Ireland
Dorothy Ubong: Public Health England, London SE1 8UG, UK
Ovnair Sepai: Public Health England, London SE1 8UG, UK
Joana Lobo Vicente: European Environment Agency, 1050 Copenhagen, Denmark
Michaela Leitner: Environment Agency Austria, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Silvia Benda-Kahri: Environment Agency Austria, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Daniela Zanini-Freitag: Environment Agency Austria, 1090 Vienna, Austria

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-17

Abstract: Over the last few decades, citizen awareness and perception of chemical products has been a topic of interest, particularly concerning national and international policy decision makers, expert/scientific platforms, and the European Union itself. To date, few qualitative studies on human biomonitoring have analysed communication materials, made recommendations in terms of biomonitoring surveillance, or asked for feedback in terms of specific biomonitoring methods. This paper provides in-depth insight on citizens’ perceptions of knowledge of biomonitoring, impact of chemical exposure on daily life, and claims on how results of research should be used. Four semi-structured focus groups were held in Austria, Portugal, Ireland, and the United Kingdom (UK). The cross-sectional observational qualitative design of this study allows for better understanding of public concern regarding chemicals, application, and use of human biomonitoring. The main findings of this study include citizens’ clear articulation on pathways of exposure, the demand on stakeholders for transparent decision-making, and sensitivity in communication of results to the public. Validated and trustful communication is perceived as key to empowering citizens to take action. The results can be used to facilitate decision-making and policy development, and feeds into the awareness needs of similar and future projects in human biomonitoring. Furthermore, it also brings to light ideas and concepts of citizens’ in shaping collaborative knowledge between citizens’, experts, scientists, and policy makers on equal terms.

Keywords: human biomonitoring; focus group; citizen reflections; chemical exposure; policy decision making (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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