Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Food Safety Perceptions on Pesticide Contamination among Koreans -Based on the 2008 Social Survey-

한국인의 농산물 농약 오염 불안도 연구 -2008년도 사회조사를 바탕으로-

  • Nam, Eun-Kyung (Graduate School of Public Health, Korea University) ;
  • Cha, Eun-Shil (Department of Preventive Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine) ;
  • Choi, Yeong-Chull (Department of Preventive Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Won-Jin (Department of Preventive Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine)
  • 남은경 (고려대학교 보건대학원) ;
  • 차은실 (고려대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 최영철 (고려대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 이원진 (고려대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실)
  • Received : 2011.07.25
  • Accepted : 2011.08.19
  • Published : 2011.08.31
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Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine the level of risk perception related to pesticide contamination of food products and associated sociodemographic factors, as well as investigate the association with environmental pollution preventive behaviors. Methods: Based on data from Social Survey conducted in 2008 among a nationally representative sample of the population 15 years or older, we estimated proportions and 95% confidence intervals of the risk perception of pesticide contamination of food products. Logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the effects of sociodemographic status on risk perception. Results: Among respondents, those who feel anxious about the risks of pesticide contamination of domestic food products accounted for 40.4%, whereas the proportion rose to 87.0% with imported food products. These numbers showed that levels of anxiety about the pesticide contamination of imported food products were ranked at the top, and those for domestic products were at the bottom of the list of all environmental pollutants examined in the survey. Significantly related factors to anxiety about pesticide contamination of food products included women, the 40-50 age group, university graduates, married, non-manual employment, having school-aged children, and owning one's own home. The population attempting to prevent environmental pollution showed higher levels of anxiety about pesticide contamination of food products than did those who were not taking such steps. Conclusion: Compared to other forms of environmental pollution, Koreans show the highest levels of anxiety about pesticide contamination of imported food products. Therefore, it is necessary to establish appropriate regulations and transparent risk communication with the public about the safety of imported food.

Keywords

References

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