title: Perceptions of pesticides exposure risks by operators, workers, residents and bystanders in Greece, Italy and the UK.
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 and workers, who tend to follow recommended safety practices. A regression analysis was used to examine the factors affecting the probability of adopting protective measures as well the as the level of exposure in the case of operators and workers where 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 be more 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.
authors.affiliation: Food and Society Group, Centre for Rural Economy, School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE19 1AA, UK.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Remoundou
authors.affiliation: Food and Society Group, Centre for Rural Economy, School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE19 1AA, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.affiliation: Opera Research Centre, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Piacenza, 29100 Piacenza, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sacchettini
authors.affiliation: Food and Society Group, Centre for Rural Economy, School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE19 1AA, UK.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Panzone
authors.affiliation: Silsoe Spray Applications Unit, NIAB, Building 42, Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedford MK45 4HP, UK.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Butler-Ellis
authors.affiliation: Opera Research Centre, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Piacenza, 29100 Piacenza, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Capri
authors.affiliation: Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 8 Stefanou Delta Street, Kifissia, Athens 14561, Greece.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Charistou
authors.affiliation: Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 8 Stefanou Delta Street, Kifissia, Athens 14561, Greece.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chaideftou
authors.affiliation: TNO Innovation for Life, Utrechtseweg 48, 3704 HE Zeist, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Gerritsen-Ebben
authors.affiliation: Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 8 Stefanou Delta Street, Kifissia, Athens 14561, Greece.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Machera
authors.affiliation: Department of Crop Protection, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Spanoghe
authors.affiliation: Food and Environmental Research Agency, Sand Hutton, York Y0411LZ, UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Glass
authors.affiliation: Opera Research Centre, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Piacenza, 29100 Piacenza, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marchis
authors.affiliation: Department of Crop Protection, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Doanngoc
authors.affiliation: Food and Environmental Research Agency, Sand Hutton, York Y0411LZ, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.affiliation: Food and Society Group, Centre for Rural Economy, School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE19 1AA, UK. Electronic address: Lynn.Frewer@newcastle.ac.uk.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Frewer
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D010575:Pesticides / Q000032:analysis*; D012306:Risk; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D010575:Pesticides
keywords: Agriculture; Exposure; Perception; Pesticide; Risk; Stakeholder