Świadomość młodzieży województwa świętokrzyskiego w zakresie perfluorowanych związków alifatycznych (PFAS)
Awareness of Perfluorinated Aliphatic Compounds (PFAS) in the Youth Population of Swietokrzyskie Province

Summary/Abstract: Background: Socio-economic development causes the pollution of environment with many harmful chemicals.A number of contaminants are characterised by high toxicity, persistence in the environment, and the ability tocumulate in organisms and, moreover, by biomagnification in the food chain. The perfluorinated aliphatic compounds(PFAS), present in each part of the environment, in food and used in production of many everyday objects,are an example of such substances. People are exposed to PFAS by ingestion and inhalation, as well as through thedermal route. These compounds constitute significant health risk factors for the society.Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to evaluate the awareness of the perfluorinated aliphatic compounds (PFAS) in the population of youth from Swietokrzyskie province.Materials and methods: The research was conducted in Swietokrzyskie province. The study population constitutedof 366 students from secondary schools, aged between 16 and 20 years old. The research was performed usinga questionnaire containing eight multiple-choice questions. The awareness of respondents was analysed basedon the answers to questions on the properties of perfluorinated aliphatic compounds, sources of exposure to thesesubstances, possible routes of exposure, health effects resulting from the exposure to these xenobiotics and possiblemethods of minimising the exposure.Results: The results of the study indicate low awareness young people have of the perfluorinated aliphatic compounds.The young people in Swietokrzyskie province (74.7%; N = 274) do not know if they had ever been exposedto PFAS. 86.4% (317) of respondents are not able to name the basic features of these compounds, and 83.1% (305)are not aware of their use. Most of the students (80.6%; N = 296) do not know the health effects resulting fromexposure to PFAS.Conclusions: The awareness of perfluorinated aliphatic compounds (PFAS) in the population of students fromsecondary schools in Swietokrzyskie province is very poor. Therefore, there is a need to conduct information campaignsaddressed to all social groups, especially children and young people of school age.

• Details
• Contents