공단 지역주민과 근로자의 환경위해도 인식과 인지된 편익

Abstract

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.