The Researchers of Kit along with the scientists from University of Wollongong, Australia, presently found that information about technologies and their risks might have undesired side effects. It may also lead to worries where they do not seem suitable as is stated in their study.
“Presently, technical innovations dominate our everyday lifestyle in numerous areas. Novel technologies, but, always are linked with risks and such are also witnessed by laymen,” says Christoph Bohmert, the very first author of the presently introduced study and the scientist of Science Communication Group of KIT’s Institute for German Studies.
“It is critical to allow adequate communication between society and science that does not just consider scientific findings but also concerns the health of population.” The study clearly shows that communication of risks might be complicated sometimes. Information on effective precautions was found to result in an enhanced risk perception by the recipients of the data.
In this study, the scientists analysed communication about a latest technology that has become indispensable in our life – electromagnetic fields and mobile communications on which it is based. From all over the world, radiation protection authorities, like the German Federal office for Radiation Protection, interact with the present state of research into risks of electromagnetic fields as follows.
Any sorts of investigations made all the findings obtained till date do not allow any results to be drawn with respect to mobile communications being a risk for the human health, but as far as experts are continue, there are still some knowledge gaps as regards the long – term impacts. Also, the measures are recommended to diminish the exposure of the individual to the electromagnetic fields.
The Federal Office for Radiation Protection, for example, suggests to keep telephone conversation short, to purchase a mobile phone with a less radiation value or to utilize a headset to prevent the mobile phone from being in direct link with the head. It had been known from past studies already that information on precautions may boost worries. It had been suspected that people conclude from the suggestions that there really is a risk. Such effects was not confirmed by the present study. The researchers rather claimed that increased worries are a result of lack of knowledge about the propagation of electromagnetic fields.
Within the entire framework of the research, the recommended precautions were offered to Australians, together with one of the six information brochures offering scientific background information. When test persons were offered not just the recommendations, but also explain why observations of such tips strongly diminish their exposure to electromagnetic fields, worries increases. “The study discloses that messages on precautions and information are a double – edged sword in terms of related risk perception. Their use must be far better comprehended,” says Boehmert.
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