Citizens’ Perception and Concerns on Chemical Exposures and Human Biomonitoring—Results from a Harmonized Qualitative Study in Seven European Countries

Linda Matisāne, Lisbeth E. Knudsen, Joana Lobo Vicente, Maria Uhl, Andromachi Katsonouri, Annick D. van den Brand, Tamar Berman, Mirjana Dimovska, Eleni Anastasi, Anthi Thoma, Szilvia Középesy, Dragan Gjorgjev, Mirjana Borota Popovska, Shalenie P. den Braver-Sewradj, Tamás Szigeti, Marija Topuzovska Latkovikj, Inese Mārtiņsone, Lāsma Akūlova and Linda Paegle
Additional contact information
Linda Matisāne: Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Rīga Stradiņš University, Dzirciema 16, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
Lisbeth E. Knudsen: Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1014 Copenhagen, Denmark
Joana Lobo Vicente: European Environment Agency, Kongens Nytorv 6, 1050 Copenhagen, Denmark
Maria Uhl: Environment Agency Austria, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Andromachi Katsonouri: State General Laboratory, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 28648, Nicosia 2081, Cyprus
Annick D. van den Brand: National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
Tamar Berman: Department of Environmental Health, Ministry of Health, King David Street 20, Jerusalem 91010, Israel
Mirjana Dimovska: Institute of Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
Eleni Anastasi: State General Laboratory, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 28648, Nicosia 2081, Cyprus
Anthi Thoma: State General Laboratory, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 28648, Nicosia 2081, Cyprus
Szilvia Középesy: National Public Health Center, Pf. 839, 1437 Budapest, Hungary
Dragan Gjorgjev: Institute of Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
Mirjana Borota Popovska: Institute for Sociological, Political and Juridical Research, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
Shalenie P. den Braver-Sewradj: National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
Tamás Szigeti: National Public Health Center, Pf. 839, 1437 Budapest, Hungary
Marija Topuzovska Latkovikj: Institute for Sociological, Political and Juridical Research, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
Inese Mārtiņsone: Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Rīga Stradiņš University, Dzirciema 16, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
Lāsma Akūlova: Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Rīga Stradiņš University, Dzirciema 16, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
Linda Paegle: Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Rīga Stradiņš University, Dzirciema 16, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 11, 1-25

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: human biomonitoring; focus group; citizen reflections; chemical exposure; HBM4EU (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
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