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Zeng J, Duan H, Zhou Z, Song J. Seeking information about waste-to-energy incineration projects: The role of objective knowledge and benefit perceptions in an extended PRISM. RISK ANALYSIS : AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR RISK ANALYSIS 2024. [PMID: 38356154 DOI: 10.1111/risa.14282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Although waste-to-energy (WtE) incineration projects have boosted the economic effectiveness of the waste management system, locals frequently view them with suspicion, opposition, or even outright rejection because of potential environmental and health risks. In this study, by incorporating two additional variables, namely, objective knowledge and benefit perceptions, the planned risk information seeking model (PRISM) was extended in the context of the WtE incineration project. A total of 1726 respondents were interviewed in person. Results from the structural equation modeling indicated that the extended PRISM achieved excellent fits, suggesting the generalizability of the model in these contexts. Objective knowledge and subjective knowledge have a positive and direct impact on perceived knowledge insufficiency. The impact of benefit and risk perceptions on worry is the opposite, with risk perceptions having a greater direct effect on worry. However, compared with risk perceptions, the direct effect that benefit perceptions have on perceived knowledge insufficiency is stronger. Additionally, perceived knowledge insufficiency partially or completely mediates the relationships between all antecedents, except perceived seeking control, and information-seeking intention. This study suggests that risk managers carefully consider how to establish powerful communication tactics to shape these antecedents when introducing a "not in my backyard" project to the local community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zeng
- School of Economics and Management, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Hongyu Duan
- School of Economics and Management, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Zhonglin Zhou
- School of Economics and Management, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Jingyan Song
- School of Economics and Management, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan Province, China
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Santa-Marina L, Irizar A, Barroeta Z, Abad E, Lertxundi A, Ibarluzea J, Parera J, Urbieta N, Arruti E, Jimeno-Romero A, Zubero MB. Serum levels of PCDDs, PCDFs and dl-PCBs in general population residing far and near from an urban waste treatment plant under construction in Gipuzkoa, Basque Country (Spain). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 236:116721. [PMID: 37482131 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
This research focused on investigating the basal serum concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) in the general population residing in two urban-industrial zones near and far from an energy recovery plant under construction in Gipuzkoa, Basque Country (Spain). The study used a cross-sectional design and included 227 participants who were randomly selected from municipal censuses in both areas. The participants were stratified based on age (ranging from 18 to 70 years) and sex. Serum samples were collected from the participants and analysed following the established protocol to measure the concentrations of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs. The study used multiple linear regression models to assess the impact of various sociodemographic variables, lifestyle factors, reproductive history, and diet on the variability of the measured compounds in the participants' serum. The median total toxicity equivalent (TEQ) in serum, was 10.58 pg WHO-TEQ2005 g-1 lipid. Serum PCDD levels were lower in the population residing in the "far" zone than the "near" zone. Age was positively associated with both PCDD/F and dl-PCB levels, indicating that older participants had higher concentrations of these compounds in their serum. This finding might be attributed to cumulative exposure over time. In terms of sex differences, women exhibited lower levels of dl-PCBs compared to men. Among lifestyle factors, smokers showed lower levels of dl-PCBs compared to non-smokers. Furthermore, daily alcohol consumption was significantly associated with higher serum levels of these compounds, with daily drinkers showing higher levels than non-drinkers. Consumption of local poultry was associated with significantly higher serum levels and oil consumption with low levels of PCDD/Fs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loreto Santa-Marina
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Paseo Doctor Begiristain s/n, 20014, San Sebastian, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, C/Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Health of the Basque Government, Subdirectorate of Public Health of Gipuzkoa, Avenida Navarra 4, 20013, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Amaia Irizar
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Paseo Doctor Begiristain s/n, 20014, San Sebastian, Spain; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Ziortza Barroeta
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Paseo Doctor Begiristain s/n, 20014, San Sebastian, Spain; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain.
| | - Esteban Abad
- Laboratory of Dioxins, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18, 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aitana Lertxundi
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Paseo Doctor Begiristain s/n, 20014, San Sebastian, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, C/Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Jesús Ibarluzea
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Paseo Doctor Begiristain s/n, 20014, San Sebastian, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, C/Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Health of the Basque Government, Subdirectorate of Public Health of Gipuzkoa, Avenida Navarra 4, 20013, San Sebastian, Spain; Faculty of Psychology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 20008, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Jordi Parera
- Laboratory of Dioxins, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18, 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nerea Urbieta
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Paseo Doctor Begiristain s/n, 20014, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Elene Arruti
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Paseo Doctor Begiristain s/n, 20014, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Alba Jimeno-Romero
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Paseo Doctor Begiristain s/n, 20014, San Sebastian, Spain; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Miren Begoña Zubero
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Paseo Doctor Begiristain s/n, 20014, San Sebastian, Spain; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
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Chen J, He X, Cui C, Xia B, Skitmore M, Liu Y. Effects of perceived stress on public acceptance of waste incineration projects: evidence from three cities in China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:34952-34965. [PMID: 36525199 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24701-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Public acceptance is important for the provision of potentially hazardous facilities and may be affected by many factors such as perceived risk/benefit/stress/fairness and public trust. In this study, the underlying mechanism behind the influence of perceived stress on public acceptance of waste-to-energy (WTE) incinerators was explored by structural equation modeling of a face-to-face questionnaire survey of 1066 urban residents in three regional central cities in China. The results indicate that, firstly, the perceived stress of the laypeople has an impact on their acceptance by influencing risk/fairness they perceived and public trust. Secondly, the paths of influence of individual perceptions on acceptance differ between cities with different economic, cultural, and social characteristics. Perceived stress mainly affects public acceptance through perceived risk in the eastern residents while perceived stress mainly affects public acceptance through public trust in the western residents. The findings clarify the theoretical role of perceived stress in shaping laypeople's acceptance of potentially hazardous facilities which are of value for both governments and owners in siting potentially hazardous facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiabin Chen
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 928, No. 2 Street, Xiasha, Jianggan District, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinyao He
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 928, No. 2 Street, Xiasha, Jianggan District, Hangzhou, China
| | - Caiyun Cui
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 928, No. 2 Street, Xiasha, Jianggan District, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bo Xia
- School of Architecture and Built Environment, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Martin Skitmore
- Faculty of Society and Design, Bond University, Robina, Australia
| | - Yong Liu
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 928, No. 2 Street, Xiasha, Jianggan District, Hangzhou, China.
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Huang Y, Zhang Z, Zhang Y, Wang Z. Perceptional differences in the factors of local acceptance of waste incineration plant. Front Psychol 2022; 13:1067886. [PMID: 36600719 PMCID: PMC9806432 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1067886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Existing research has documented that public attitudes towards waste incineration plants are determined by various factors, such as risk perception, economic impacts, and social trust. However, the diversity in perceptions within communities hosting waste incineration plants is understudied. Adds to existing knowledge, the present paper employed the Q methodology to examine the perceptions of residents living in the vicinity of a waste incineration plant in Xuzhou, China. The results revealed four perspectives on residents' perceptions towards waste incineration plants: I do not trust them and feel besieged by risks; I trust local governments but I am unfairly treated; I attach this place a lot but I am unfairly treated; I possess knowledge of waste incineration and feel besieged by risks. Our data show that risk perception, trust perception, and political efficacy perception are underlying reasons for local acceptance of waste incineration plants. The diversified subjectivities we obtained supplement existing literature that quantitatively documents the influencing factors. These findings demonstrate that it is necessary to explicitly consider the deep-seated values and perspectives among hosting residents' for the siting of the waste incineration plant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangsen Huang
- School of Management, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Ziqi Zhang
- School of Marxism, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China,*Correspondence: Ziqi Zhang,
| | - Yanbo Zhang
- School of Management Engineering and Business, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, China,Yanbo Zhang,
| | - Zixing Wang
- University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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Comoglio C, Castelluccio S, Scarrone A, Onofrio M, Fiore S. Assessing the environmental performances of waste-to-energy plants: The case-study of the EMAS-registered waste incinerators in Italy. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2022; 153:209-218. [PMID: 36113342 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2022.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated the environmental performances of 15 Italian waste incineration (WI) plants registered to EMAS. From the EMAS Environmental Statements, the validated data related to 5 environmental aspects (emissions to air, energy consumption/production, waste production and reagent consumption) and 24 key indicators were analyzed to describe and assess the environmental performances of the plants in 2017-2019 in relation to the best available techniques associated emission levels (BAT-AELs) and other sectorial reference values. All air pollutants' average concentrations resulted significantly below the upper BAT-AELs, the majority under the lower BAT-AELs, with an overall slightly decreasing trend (-4.6%). The specific productions of bottom and other ashes were steady over time and just above the lower characteristic values. The specific energy consumption was higher than the average European performance and stable over time, while the specific reagent consumption was harder to evaluate, with results varying for the different reagents. An evaluation of the influence of the WI plants' characteristics on the environmental performances was also performed considering 13 different parameters (e.g., flue gas cleaning technologies, waste treatment capacity, etc.). A correlation analysis highlighted the positive influence of the pre-dedusting stages on overall emissions, specific reagents consumption and specific waste production, and of the plant size on the specific energy production. This study demonstrated that EMAS can provide a tool to evaluate the environmental performances of WI plants and compare different installations using certified data. It also highlighted the excellent performances of the Italian WI plants registered to EMAS compared to the sectorial references.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Comoglio
- DIATI, Department of Engineering for Environment, Land and Infrastructure, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
| | - Stefano Castelluccio
- DIATI, Department of Engineering for Environment, Land and Infrastructure, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
| | - Anna Scarrone
- DIATI, Department of Engineering for Environment, Land and Infrastructure, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
| | - Maurizio Onofrio
- DIATI, Department of Engineering for Environment, Land and Infrastructure, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
| | - Silvia Fiore
- DIATI, Department of Engineering for Environment, Land and Infrastructure, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy.
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Zhang H, Zhou L, Liu N, Zhang L. Seemingly bounded knowledge, trust, and public acceptance: How does citizen's environmental knowledge affect facility siting? JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 320:115941. [PMID: 36056500 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanism of public perception and behavior towards environmental goods provision is essential for effective sustainable governance. This paper studies how citizens' self-reported environmental knowledge affects their trust in public service providers and subsequently their decisions about accepting the provision of a pollution management facility in their neighborhood. Utilizing unique survey data on the siting of a facility for waste incineration in Guangzhou, China, we find that the public's perceived environmental knowledge damages their trust in the operator, which lowers their acceptance of the facility siting, while damage to their trust in the government is negligible. In addition, we find that citizens' preferences for the type of information disclosed and the channels used for disclosure can affect public trust and thus acceptance of the facility siting. Therefore, policy suggestions for urban planning for sustainability are that the urban planner and policy maker can mitigate the negative consequences of bounded environmental knowledge by ensuring there is appropriate information disclosure. This study broadens our understanding of public recognition and acceptance of environmental goods provision and provides practical suggestions for sustainable development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyan Zhang
- China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, China; School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lixuan Zhou
- Key Laboratory on Urban Ecological Environment Simulation and Protection, South China Institute of Environmental Science, MEE, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ning Liu
- Department of Public Policy, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Lin Zhang
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Department of Public Policy, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Critical Infrastructures: Reliability, Resilience and Wastage. INFRASTRUCTURES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/infrastructures7030037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
By 2050, according to the UN medium forecast, 68.6% of the world’s population will live in cities. This growth will place a strain on critical infrastructure distribution networks, which already operate in a state that is complex and intertwined within society. In order to create a sustainable society, there needs to be a change in both societal behaviours (for example, reducing water, energy or food waste activities) and future use of smart technologies. The main challenges are that there is a limited aggregated understanding of current waste behaviours within critical infrastructure ecosystems, and a lack of technological solutions to address this. Therefore, this article reflects on theoretical and applied works concerning waste behaviours, the reliability/availability and resilience of critical infrastructures, and the use of advanced technologies for reducing waste. Articles in the Scopus digital library are considered in the investigation, with 51 papers selected by means of a systematic literature review, from which 38 strains, 86 barriers and 87 needs are identified, along with 60 methods of analysis. The focus of the work is primarily on behaviours, barriers and needs that create an excess or wastage.
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Identifying the Predictors of Community Acceptance of Waste Incineration Plants in Urban China: A Qualitative Analysis from a Public Perspective. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph181910189. [PMID: 34639490 PMCID: PMC8508469 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph181910189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Due to concerns about consequences to public health, the ecosystem, the natural landscape etc., the planning and construction of waste incineration plants always gives rise to a reaction and even protests from local communities. This study aims to investigate the determinants affecting public acceptance of waste incinerators. We contribute to the existing knowledge in the following ways: (1) this study undertook a qualitative analysis on community acceptance of nimby facilities in the context of China for the first time; (2) through qualitative interview analysis, we emphasize the impact of interactions among multiple factors regarding the acceptance of waste incinerators; (3) we finally construct a framework to systematically explain the formation mechanism of community acceptance of waste incineration plants. Employing in-depth interviews with 22 representative residents, the results indicate that from the perspective of externality, risk perception has a significant negative impact, whereas the effects of benefit perception are positive. In terms of interaction between government and citizen, both justice perception and political efficacy are positive. Social situational factors positively promote community acceptance. Lastly, the impact of individual cognition is mixed. This study has the potential to make a significant difference in better community governance and environment-friendly cities.
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Li C, Ma X, Fu T, Guan S. Does public concern over haze pollution matter? Evidence from Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 755:142397. [PMID: 33011599 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Chinese residents are becoming more and more concerned about the living environment especially under the situation of environmental degradation caused by the unbalanced and inadequate economic development. The widespread of internet use provide a new way for public to express the dissatisfaction on environmental pollution. Although the public is the main body of society, the public concern over environmental issues are rarely studied. In this paper, the impact of public concern over haze on haze pollution is quantitatively examined by the utilization of econometric model. Specifically, the Baidu search index (BSI) is utilized as indicators for public concern. Using the panel data consisting of 13 cities in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region from the period from January 2014 to December 2019, estimation results showed a significant improvement effect of public concern on haze pollution. In general, the public concern can improve the air quality in a short turn. However, this improvement effect varies with different economic development levels. These findings can help policy makers to better understand the role of public in social governance and improve the air quality in China with the inclusion of public participation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuandong Li
- School of Management and Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, PR China; Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, PR China; Office of High-Talent, Department of Human Resource, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, PR China
| | - Xiaowei Ma
- School of Management and Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, PR China; Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Energy Economics and Environmental Management, Beijing, China; Sustainable Development Research Institute for Economy and Society of Beijing, Beijing, China.
| | - Tingbin Fu
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, PR China
| | - Shuaihua Guan
- Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, PR China
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