Trace chemicals in consumer products - Consumers' acceptance before and after receiving information about toxicological principles.

Toxicologists face several challenges when communicating with the public about the potential risks of chemical substances in consumer products. However, based on the consumers' scepticism and detachment from the use of chemical substances in the manufacturing of consumer goods, evidence is needed on how this communication can be improved. Hence, the goal of this study was to experimentally check the effect of an informational video on consumers' acceptance of trace chemicals in consumer products, their willingness to purchase and finally, their perception of the dose-response mechanism. For this, an informational video was developed and evaluated in a pre-post online study with a sample of South Korean consumers (N = 600). The results suggest that providing information on toxicological principles increases people's acceptance of trace chemicals in consumer products and their willingness to purchase a consumer product containing trace chemicals. Within the article, implications for practice and ideas for new research avenues are presented.

Addressing Chemophobia: Informational versus affect-based approaches.

This study investigated the effect of two communication strategies (informational and affect-based) in reducing chemophobia, the irrational fear of chemicals. In an online experiment, participants (N = 448) were randomly assigned to one of three groups ("control", "knowledge", or "affect" group). The following dependent variables were assessed: chemophobia, knowledge of basic toxicological principles, affect towards chemicals, benefit perception of the use of chemicals, and preference for natural substitutes in consumer products. The results showed that only the informational approach, which conveys knowledge of basic toxicological principles, significantly decreased chemophobia and the preference for natural substitutes in consumer products. The affect-based approach significantly increased positive affect towards chemicals and the benefit perception of their use, but did not decrease chemophobia. This suggested that the provision of relevant information about basic toxicological principles is a more effective strategy than merely addressing laypeople's affect towards chemicals to reduce chemophobia. Relevant knowledge could be taught in schools or disseminated by toxicologists and scientists who are trusted by the public.

"Chemophobia" Today: Consumers' Knowledge and Perceptions of Chemicals.

This mixed-methods study investigated consumers' knowledge of chemicals in terms of basic principles of toxicology and then related this knowledge, in addition to other factors, to their fear of chemical substances (i.e., chemophobia). Both qualitative interviews and a large-scale online survey were conducted in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. A Mokken scale was developed to measure laypeople's toxicological knowledge. The results indicate that most laypeople are unaware of the similarities between natural and synthetic chemicals in terms of certain toxicological principles. Furthermore, their associations with the term "chemical substances" and the self-reported affect prompted by these associations are mostly negative. The results also suggest that knowledge of basic principles of toxicology, self-reported affect evoked by the term "chemical substances," risk-benefit perceptions concerning synthetic chemicals, and trust in regulation processes are all negatively associated with chemophobia, while general health concerns are positively related to chemophobia. Thus, to enhance informed consumer decisionmaking, it might be necessary to tackle the stigmatization of the term "chemical substances" as well as address and clarify prevalent misconceptions.

Lay-people's knowledge about toxicology and its principles in eight European countries.

The procedures of risk assessment related to substances consumed or used by consumers (e.g., food additives, cleaning products) are highly complex and there exists some controversy between experts in regards to the uncertainty linked to it. This contributes to the well documented divergence in experts and lay-people's judgments, particularly for synthetic or man-made chemicals. By investigating lay-people's knowledge gaps and misconceptions related to toxicology, we hope to contribute to facilitating the communication between experts and the lay public. For this, a large-scale survey measuring knowledge of toxicological principles, trust in regulators, the irrational fear of chemicals and health concern was distributed in eight European countries (Total: N = 5631). Results suggest that large gaps exist regarding people's knowledge of toxicological principles and that a lack of knowledge is significantly associated with higher levels of chemophobia. Particular attention for future communication efforts should be placed on the stigma associated with the terminology, principles of dose-response associations and the comparability of substances of natural and synthetic origin.