Effects of alternative styles of risk information on EMF risk perception.

Bioelectromagnetics · 2010 · Mixed · Moderate evidence

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MixedModerate evidencePaper 4372

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 2010

Study typerandomized_trial

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

Risk scenarios characterized by exposures to new technologies with unknown health effects, together with limited appreciation of benefits pose a challenge to risk communication. The present report illustrates this situation through a study of the perceived risk from mobile phones and mobile masts in residential areas. Good information should objectively convey the current state of knowledge. The research question is then how to inform lay people so that they trust and understand the information. We used an Internet-based survey with 1687 Danish participants randomized to three types of information about radiation from mobile phones and masts. The objective was to study whether different types of information were rated as equally useful, informative, comprehensible, and trustworthy. Moreover, an important issue was whether information would influence risk perception and intended behavior. The conclusion is that lay people rate information about risks associated with a new and largely unknown technology more useful and trustworthy when provided with brief statements about how to handle the risk, rather than more lengthy technical information about why the technology may or may not entail health hazards. Further, the results demonstrate that information may increase concern among a large proportion of the population, and that discrepancies exist between expressed concern and intended behavior.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typerandomized_trial

Effect directionmixed

PopulationDanish lay participants (Internet-based survey)

Sample size1687

ExposureRF

Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In an Internet-based randomized survey, participants rated risk information as more useful and trustworthy when it included brief statements about how to handle the risk, compared with more lengthy technical information about why the technology may or may not entail health hazards. The results also indicated that information may increase concern among a large proportion of the population, and that discrepancies existed between expressed concern and intended behavior.

Outcomes measured

Perceived risk from mobile phones and mobile masts in residential areas
Ratings of information (useful, informative, comprehensible, trustworthy)
Risk perception/concern
Intended behavior

Limitations

Internet-based survey (mode of data collection)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "randomized_trial",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone, base station",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Danish lay participants (Internet-based survey)",
  "sample_size": 1687,
  "outcomes": [
    "Perceived risk from mobile phones and mobile masts in residential areas",
    "Ratings of information (useful, informative, comprehensible, trustworthy)",
    "Risk perception/concern",
    "Intended behavior"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In an Internet-based randomized survey, participants rated risk information as more useful and trustworthy when it included brief statements about how to handle the risk, compared with more lengthy technical information about why the technology may or may not entail health hazards. The results also indicated that information may increase concern among a large proportion of the population, and that discrepancies existed between expressed concern and intended behavior.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Internet-based survey (mode of data collection)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "risk communication",
    "risk perception",
    "mobile phones",
    "mobile masts",
    "base stations",
    "information framing",
    "trust",
    "comprehensibility",
    "intended behavior",
    "Denmark"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Focuses on communicating the current state of knowledge about EMF risks and public trust/understanding."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1002/bem.20586
PubMed: 20564177

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