Laboratory of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases, Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Rīga Stradiņš University, Riga, Latvia.
Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Rīga Stradiņš University, Riga, Latvia.
Front Public Health. 2024 May 23;12:1382368. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1382368. eCollection 2024.
The COVID-19 pandemic has globally influenced the exposure of populations to chemical substances through various channels. This study aims to evaluate the tendencies of the use of chemical products in Latvia amidst the pandemic. Answers from 597 respondents (26.6% male, 73.4% female, mean age 46.0 ± 12.2) which were gathered as part of the HBM4EU (Human Biomonitoring Initiative) citizen survey and 8 focus group participants were used.
The study utilized data from the HBM4EU citizen survey and conducted focus group discussions to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on chemical product usage in Latvia. Survey responses were analyzed to identify changes in exposure to chemicals, particularly in relation to disinfection agents and household products.
More than two-thirds of survey participants reported increased exposure to chemicals during the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly related to the use of disinfection agents and household products. About 2-in-5 (39.8%) of survey respondents considered that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased their interest in exposure to chemicals. The excessive use of disinfectant products is the main concern of citizens (mentioned by 66.7%, n = 389). Also, two focus group participants noted that the use of disinfectant products is too widespread and should be minimized.
The findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has not only increased the use of chemical products in Latvia but also promoted an interest in safe and healthy use of chemicals which could be useful to raise the awareness of the general public.
新冠疫情以多种途径在全球范围内影响了人群对化学物质的接触。本研究旨在评估疫情期间拉脱维亚化学产品使用的趋势。本研究使用了 HBM4EU（人体生物监测倡议）公民调查中 597 名受访者（26.6%男性，73.4%女性，平均年龄 46.0±12.2）和 8 名焦点小组参与者的回答。
本研究利用 HBM4EU 公民调查的数据，通过焦点小组讨论，了解新冠疫情对拉脱维亚化学产品使用的影响。分析调查结果，以确定接触化学物质的变化，特别是与消毒剂和家用产品有关的变化。
超过三分之二的调查参与者报告称，在新冠疫情期间接触化学物质的情况有所增加，主要与消毒剂和家用产品的使用有关。约五分之二（39.8%）的调查受访者认为新冠疫情增加了他们对接触化学物质的兴趣。过度使用消毒剂产品是公民关注的主要问题（66.7%，n=389）。此外，两名焦点小组参与者指出，消毒剂产品的使用过于广泛，应尽量减少。
研究结果表明，新冠疫情不仅增加了拉脱维亚化学产品的使用，还促进了对安全和健康使用化学物质的兴趣，这可能有助于提高公众的意识。
