Abstract

Overview

An implicit assumption of risk perception studies is that concerns expressed in questionnaires reflect concerns in everyday life. The present study aims to verify this assumption by exploring the extendability of expressed survey risk perceptions to actual everyday concerns.

Findings

• Risk perceptions were measured through a multidimensional approach, examining not just the magnitude of risk perceptions but also their thematic and discursive relevance.
• The study surveyed 2454 respondents across six European countries concerning their perceptions of RF EMF risks from technologies such as base stations, WiFi routers, and cell phones.
• Results indicate that high levels of concern reported in surveys do not necessarily correlate with high thematic relevance in daily life.
• Distinguishing participants as enduringly concerned (those consistent in survey and thematic relevance) versus not enduringly concerned (high concern in survey, low thematic relevance).
• Enduringly concerned individuals perceive RF EMF exposure as a significant moral and affective issue and feel highly exposed to RF EMFs.
• Participants with high thematic relevance showed sensitivity towards measures aimed at reducing exposure, indicating that exposure reduction could enhance the acceptance of RF EMF technologies locally.

Conclusion

This multidimensional approach to studying RF EMF risk perception reveals significant distinctions between reported concerns and actual life implications, highlighting the importance of considering thematic relevance when assessing the impact of EMF exposure on public sentiment and policy formulation.