The coverage of the fifth‐generation network has increased steadily since the network was introduced in 2019. However, public protests around the globe against the construction of 5G network base stations have continued to occur for fear that electromagnetic (EM) waves emitted from the stations would cause adverse health effects. To identify factors that have contributed to such increased risk perception, we conducted a cross‐sectional study using data obtained from a survey that assessed Korean adults’ risk perception of EM wave‐related objects. We found that female gender, high level of perceived exposure to EM waves, evaluation of public policies as ineffective, and high level of objective knowledge on EM waves were associated with increased risk perception. Furthermore, we found that higher ratings on a few risk characteristics such as “personal knowledge,” “seriousness of the risk to future generations,” “dreadfulness,” and “severity of consequences” were also associated with increased risk perception as well. Bioelectromagnetics. © 2020 The Authors. Bioelectromagnetics published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Bioelectromagnetics Society
This study examines differences between the level of objective knowledge regarding radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) and risk perception of cell phones in Korea. We also investigate the extent to which socio-demographic factors, perceived EMF exposure, objective knowledge regarding EMF, and psychological factors influence the risk perception of cell phones using hierarchical multiple regression. All 3393 study subjects completed a survey measuring the degree of risk perception of EMF. They were sampled in accordance with representative proportions of sex, age group, and region of residence as shown in the 2019 Resident Registration Population Statistics reported by Korea. The variables that have the most influence on risk perception of cell phones can be induced from the beta values for each variable: The subjective factor, perceived level of exposure to EMF (β = 0.253), was more strongly related to risk perception of cell phones than level of knowledge regarding EMF, an objective factor in this study. Of the psychological factors, Dreadfulness (β = 0.331), Personal knowledge (β = −174), and Familiarity (β = −089) influenced risk perceptions of cell phones; Controllability did not. On the risk cognition map, people though that it was easy to control risk related to Cell phone use in daily life, while risk related to High technology was uncontrollable.
In this study, we investigated the change in risk perception of the electromagnetic field (EMF) in the general population, and presented the public psychological properties of EMF exposure from various sources through a two-dimensional risk cognitive map. The risk perception of EMF increased or decreased according to environmental factors. In the risk cognitive map, radars and 5G base stations were distributed in areas of high dread and uncontrollability. On the other hand, household appliances, including hair dryers and microwave ovens, were distributed in areas where dread was high but could be controlled. Therefore, for household appliances that can be controlled, perceived risk should be lowered by resolving public questions. For involuntary exposures that cannot be controlled individually, a risk communication strategy that includes sufficient explanation and understanding through participation programs is required.
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