Intuitive Toxicology II: Studies of Expert and Lay Judgments of Chemical Risk, 1994

The purpose of this survey was to examine the subjective and intuitive elements of lay risk assessments of chemical risk. Members of the British Toxicology Society were asked to complete questionnaires that included a variety of question types and formats, including ratings of perceived risk, attitude and opinion questions, and questions pertaining to the technical evaluation of several chemicals. Those surveyed were asked to rate the perceived risk of items relating to health, including alcoholic beverages, asbestos, breast implants, burning fossil fuels, cigarette smoking, contraceptive pills, crime and violence, depletion of the ozone layer, dioxins, food additives, medical X-rays, nuclear waste, pesticides, and sun tanning. Attitudes and opinions were also sought on topics such as animal testing, cancer, and pollution. Background information on respondents includes education, age, sex, and occupational affiliation.