• Title/Summary/Keyword: Environmental risk

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Related Factors of Environmental Risk Perception among General Public and Experts (환경문제에 대한 일반대중과 전문가의 위해도 인식 관련 요인)

  • 박종연;장은아;신동천;임영욱;최우혁
    • Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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    • v.16 no.2
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    • pp.85-95
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    • 2001
  • This study was to investigate factors of risk perception on major environmental issues among general public and environmental experts in Korea. Structured questionnaire surveys were conducted to samples from general public and environmental experts during March and April, 2000. Total numbers of respondents were 773, general public and 353 experts. Analysis of the data showed that risk perception was correlated with health concern, environmental satisfaction, perception of environmental pollution, interest on the environmental issues, knowledge, experiences, and social-cultural consciousness, and so on. Overall environmental risk perception was affected by knowledge on environmental issues, experience of damage from environmental problems, sex and perception of environmental pollution. According to the results, environmental risk perception is not independent from social and psychological factors, and it may be desirable to consider the related factors in the process of risk communication for a more effective risk management or environmental policy.

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Ecotoxicity Test of Wastewater by a Battery of Bioassay and Toxicity Identification Evaluation (다양한 시험생물종을 이용한 산업폐수 생태독성 평가 및 원인물질 탐색)

  • Ryu, Tae-Kwon;Cho, Jae-Gu;Kim, Kyung-Tae;Yang, Chang-Yong;Joung, Ki-Eun;Yoon, Jun-Heon;Choi, Kyung-Hee
    • Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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    • v.25 no.3
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    • pp.207-214
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    • 2010
  • Toxicity identification and quantification are important factors to evaluate the effect of industrial effluent on the aquatic environment. In order to measure the potential and real toxicity of mixed chemicals in the effluents, the biological method (i.e., WET test) should be used as well as chemical analysis method. In this study, we conducted WET test for various kinds of industrial effluents using aquatic organisms such as water flea (Daphnia magna), algae (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata), fish (Oryzias latipes, Danio rerio), and microorganism (Vibrio fisheri). In addition, we carried out chemical analysis and TIE (Toxicity Identification Evaluation) for effluents in order to identify the substances causing toxicity. Among the 30 kinds of wastewater, S13 showed the highest eco-toxicity and $Ca^{2+}$ and $Cl^-$ ion were suspected as major compounds causing toxicity for aquatic organisms. In order to confirm these suspected compounds, various confirmation procedures need to be carried out.

A Study on Risk Communication and Risk Perception in Environmental Problems (환경문제의 위해도 인식과 위해도 홍보 프로그램의 효과분석 -라돈과 다이옥신을 중심으로-)

  • 김진용;신동천;박성은;임영욱;황만식
    • Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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    • v.17 no.4
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    • pp.315-324
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    • 2002
  • Risk communication can be defined as the exchange of information about the nature, magnitude, significance, acceptability, and management of risk. The effect of risk communication on the perception and knowledge towards risk of environmental pollutants and it's related factors were investigated in this study. To investigate perception and knowledge of students and teachers towards risk of environmental pollutants, we conducted the survey using self-administrated questionnaire. The subjects were 574 for the first survey and 465 for the seconds survey from May to June, 2000. The main methods of transmission used in this study- through video tape, visual materials, question and answer, and participation in measuring pollutants - were not a one - way street. But an interactive process where information and opinions were exchanged among individuals, groups, and institutions. Environmental pollutants measured with participation of study subjects was Radon in the class room. The concentration of Radon was measured using E -PERM Device by installing it at each site for about 5 days. Subjects showed much interest in environmental pollution. Also, more than 98% of total subjects were perceived as Korea is seriously contaminated at present. By risk communication activity, risk perception of all subjects about Radon was increased, on the other hand, risk perception of Dioxin was decreased except for elementary student. Moreover, knowledge of all subjects about environmental risk was significantly increased (p =0.0001) and effort of reducing environmental pollution was more increased (p<0.05). There is need to further develop, refine, and integrate these approaches environmental risk communication study, there is an even more pressing need to accelerate the diffusion of environmental risk communication practice into government and organizations.

Risk and culture: variations in dioxin risk perceptions, behavioral preferences among social groups in South Korea

  • Park, Seohyun;Kim, Jong Guk
    • Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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    • v.29
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    • pp.13.1-13.11
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    • 2014
  • Objectives This study examined variations in the perceptions of dioxin risk among social groups defined by geographical living location, environmental education, and occupation. Dioxin risk perceptions were analyzed according to values, risk awareness, knowledge, and behavioral preferences. Methods A quasi-experimental survey was designed and conducted on individuals from seven experimental groups in Jeonju city, South Korea, including: people living near incineration facilities; people living far from incineration facilities; governmental experts; non-governmental organization members; office workers in developmental institutes or banks; students who were enrolled in environmental-related classes; and students who were enrolled in business-related classes. Results The results show variations among groups in values, awareness and behavioral preferences. Particular attention should be given to the result that groups with higher connectedness-to-nature values show higher willingness-to-act (WTA) for risk reduction. Result s can be summarized as follows. First, awareness is associated with one's geographical setting. Second, values and WTA behaviors are related to one's environmental-related education and occupation. Third, values are significantly related to WTA behaviors. Conclusions Different cultures, in terms of values or worldview, among groups influence their perceptions of dioxin risk and choices of risk reduction behaviors. It is important to consider values in communicating complicated long-term risk management involving public participation. Further research should be continuously conducted on the effects of multiple dimensions of values on one's WTA for risk reduction behaviors.

Environmental Risk Perception and Perceived Benefit Among Residents and Workers in Industrial Area (공단 지역주민과 근로자의 환경위해도 인식과 인지된 편익)

  • Kim Myounghyun;Lim Youngwook;Park Jongyun;Shin Dongchun;Yang Jihyung;Boo Minjung
    • Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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    • v.20 no.2 s.49
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    • pp.97-108
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    • 2005
  • This study is to estimate differences, relationships and related factors of environmental risk perception and perceived benefit among residents and workers. A self-administered questionnaire survey using a structured instrument was carried out to residents and workers in industrial area during April, 2002. Total number of participants were 657 including 329 residents and 328 workers. Participants assessed environmental risk perception, self- assessed knowledge, trust in authorities and perceived benefit associated with 10 products manufactured in industrial area. There were difference in environmental risk perception, knowledge and trust in authorities and perceived benefit among residents and workers. Especially, trust in authorities and perceived benefit were statistically significant difference among residents and workers. Inverse relationships between environmental risk perception and perceived benefit have been observed for different products. In other words, the greater the perceived benefit, the lower the perceived risk, and vice versa. Factors mostly associated with participant's characteristics of environmental risk perception were age. marriage status (workers), education level (workers). There was statistically significant difference. Perceived benefit was statistically significant difference with sex, marriage status, residence duration, education level (workers). Related factors of environmental risk perception among residents and workers were age, trust in authorities. And factors affecting the perceived benefit were sex, age, education level (workers), and trust in authorities (workers). According to the results, people having high trust in the authorities perceived less risks than people having low in the authorities. To improve the communication of risk information, further study focus on assessment of experts, government and stakeholder in industrial area. Methodologies of this study can be used as the basis for investigating the structure of public perception of environmental products risks and benefit, designing a public information and risk communication program, and developing policy actions to improve acceptance.