Title
Perceptions of pesticides exposure risks by operators, workers, residents and bystanders in Greece, Italy and the UK
Author
Remoundou, K.
Brennana, M.
Sacchettini, G.
Panzone, L.
Butler-Ellis, M.C.
Capri, E.
Charistou, A.
Chaideftou, E.
Gerritsen-Ebben, M.G.
Machera, K.
Spanoghe, P.
Glass, R.
Marchis, A.
Doanngoc, K.
Hart, A.
Frewer, L.J.
Publication year
2015
Abstract
The EU Directive on the sustainable use of pesticides (EU128/2009/EC) requires European Member States to develop training activities targeting occupational exposure to pesticides, and communication material aimed at residents and bystanders. Risk perceptions, knowledge and attitudes associated with passive and occupational exposure to pesticide potentially influence the extent to which different stakeholders adopt self-protective behaviour. A methodology for assessing the link between attitudes, adoption of self-protective behaviours and exposure was developed and tested. A survey was implemented in the Greece, Italy and the UK, and targeted stakeholders associated with pesticide exposure linked to orchards, greenhouse crops and arable crops respectively. The results indicated that the adoption of protective measures is low for residents and bystanders, with the exception of residents in Greece, when compared to operators andworkers, who tend to followrecommended safety practices. A regression analysis was used to examine the factors affecting the probability of adopting protectivemeasures aswell the as the level of exposure in the case of operators andworkerswhere data are available. The results indicate that the likelihood of engaging in self-protective behaviour is not significantly affected by perceptions of own health being affected by pesticides for residents and bystanders. However, operators who perceive that their heath has been negatively affected by the use of pesticides are found to bemore likely to adopt self-protective behaviours. Gender and country differences, in perceptions, attitudes and self-protection are also observed. Recommendations for improved communication, in particular for vulnerable groups, are provided.
Subject
Life
RAPID - Risk Assessment Products in Development
ELSS - Earth, Life and Social Sciences
Work and Employment
Workplace
Healthy Living
Pesticide
Exposure
Stakeholder
Perception
Agriculture
Risk
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:725850a9-523d-4539-a164-8cbe59d11843
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.10.099
TNO identifier
519542
Source
Science of the Total Environment, 505, 1082-1092
Document type
article