The effect of misunderstanding the chemical properties of environmental contaminants on exposure beliefs: A case involving dioxins

Brian J Zikmund-Fisher; Angela Turkelson; Alfred Franzblau; Julia K Diebol; Lindsay A Allerton; Edith A Parker

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.01.030

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The effect of misunderstanding the chemical properties of environmental contaminants on exposure beliefs: A case involving dioxins

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

The effect of misunderstanding the chemical properties of environmental contaminants on exposure beliefs: A case involving dioxins

Brian J Zikmund-Fisher, Angela Turkelson, Alfred Franzblau, Julia K Diebol, Lindsay A Allerton and Edith A Parker

The Science of the total environment, Vol.447, pp.293-300

03/01/2013

DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.01.030

PMCID: PMC3652325

PMID: 23391895

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Abstract

Chemical properties of contaminants lead them to behave in particular ways in the environment and hence have specific pathways to human exposure. If residents of affected communities lack awareness of these properties, however, they could make incorrect assumptions about where and how exposure occurs. We conducted a mailed survey of 904 residents of Midland and Saginaw counties in Michigan, USA to assess to what degree residents of a community with known dioxin contamination appear to understand the hydrophobic nature of dioxins and the implications of that fact on different potential exposure pathways. Participants assessed whether various statements about dioxins were true, including multiple statements assessing beliefs about dioxins in different types of water. Participants also stated whether they believed different exposure pathways were currently significant sources of dioxin exposure in this community. A majority of residents believed that dioxins can be found in river water that has been filtered to completely remove all particulates, well water, and even city tap water, beliefs which are incongruous with the hydrophobic nature of dioxins. Mistrust of government and personal concern about dioxins predicted greater beliefs about dioxins in water. In turn, holding more beliefs about dioxins in water predicted beliefs that drinking and touching water are currently significant exposure pathways for dioxins. Ensuring that community residents' mental models accurately reflect the chemical properties of different contaminants can be important to helping them to adjust their risk perceptions and potentially their risk mitigation behaviors accordingly. ► We surveyed residents of a community with known dioxin contamination. ► The survey explored residents' mental models of dioxins and exposure pathways. ► Many community residents appear not to understand that dioxins are hydrophobic. ► Mistrust of government predicts beliefs that dioxins are present in water. ► Beliefs about dioxins in water predict beliefs about water-based exposure pathways.

Community environmental exposure

Dioxin-like compounds

Mental models

Risk communication

Risk perception

Details

Title: Subtitle: The effect of misunderstanding the chemical properties of environmental contaminants on exposure beliefs: A case involving dioxins
Creators: Brian J Zikmund-Fisher - Department of Health Behavior & Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA
Angela Turkelson - Department of Health Behavior & Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA
Alfred Franzblau - Risk Science Center, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA
Julia K Diebol - Risk Science Center, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA
Lindsay A Allerton - Department of Health Behavior & Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA
Edith A Parker - Department of Community and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: The Science of the total environment, Vol.447, pp.293-300
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.01.030
PMID: 23391895
PMCID: PMC3652325
NLM abbreviation: Sci Total Environ
ISSN: 0048-9697
eISSN: 1879-1026
Publisher: Elsevier B.V
Grant note: DOI: 10.13039/100000066, name: National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, award: 1R01 ES016306; DOI: 10.13039/100000048, name: American Cancer Society, award: MRSG-06-130-01-CP
Language: English
Date published: 03/01/2013
Academic Unit: Public Health Administration; Injury Prevention Research Center; Public Policy Center (Archive); Community and Behavioral Health
Record Identifier: 9984214843202771

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