85% are concerned about the side effects of exposure to any form of radiation, from Smartphones, but even for medical reasons.
ΟMost Greeks say they are concerned about their radiation exposure (85%). The main reason they cite is the fear of the possible consequences on their health (79%). Mobile antennas (59%) and mobile phones (57%) are the two sources of electromagnetic radiation that cause the most concern. Also, three out of four Greeks (74%) say they are against the use of nuclear energy, while only one in five are in favor.
These emerge from the first nationwide public opinion survey on radiation conducted by the Hellenic Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) in the framework of the program "Evaluation of activities at national level for protection against ionizing and non-ionizing radiation - Actions", with the code name "AVRA".
Data for Greece from public opinion polls regarding radiation issues were available until now only in fragments and only for specific issues, with the main source being the Eurobarometer. At the national level, no research had ever been conducted before on the whole spectrum of radiation, the perception of danger and the attitudes of the Greek public towards critical issues related to public health and the protection of the environment.
Η research, which will be used for the development of information and training actions by GAEC, was conducted on a sample of 1.811 people, with telephone interviews in the period June-July 2018 by the research and polling company Palmos Analysis.
Among other findings:
• Nine out of ten respondents state that they have undergone medical examinations or treatments using some form of radiation. Chest x-ray is the most common examination using radiation (90%).
89% have never asked their doctor to undergo an examination using radiation on their own initiative.
• About half of the respondents state that they are "very" or "quite" concerned about their exposure to radiation from medical examinations.
• Almost the entire population (97%) appears to be aware that we receive radiation in the natural environment in which we live and move.
• The Sun (55%) and the antennas (39%) are the main spontaneous reports from the respondents as sources of exposure to radiation from the environment.
• Four out of ten respondents say they have heard of the natural radioactive gas radon.
• Radioactive waste, radon, solariums and mobile phone antennas are rated as the most dangerous sources of radiation.
• Mobile telephony antennas (59%) and mobile phones (57%) are the two sources of electromagnetic radiation that most concern respondents.
• Seven out of ten say they would be concerned and react actively if a mobile antenna was installed near their home.
• At 4% is the penetration of the use of solarium machines in the population of the country, aged 18 and over. Ultraviolet radiation is characterized as a risk factor (95%) and only 1% of respondents state that it is not a risk.
• Three out of four (74%) say they are against the use of nuclear energy for electricity generation, while almost one in five (18%) say they are in favor.
• The majority (83%) state, in relation to the operation of nuclear power plants in neighboring countries of Greece, that they are afraid of the possibility of an accident that could put us in danger, while only 7% state that they do not feel that they are in danger from the operation their.
• Eight out of ten state that they are "very" or "quite" concerned about the possibility of a nuclear accident in the wider region of our country with possible consequences from radioactivity in Greece, while only one in ten state that they are "a little" or "concerned" not at all".
• There is a lack of information on dealing with emergencies with consequences from radioactive pollution, as about 76% say they are "not" or "little" informed about the relevant procedures and only 13% say "enough" or "a lot". up to date.
Eight out of ten say they are "not at all" (8%) or "little" (54%) aware of radioactive waste management. The vast majority (25%) state that, based on what they know, there is radioactive waste in our country.
• Seven out of ten state that the issue of radioactive waste management in Greece concerns them "a lot" (40%) or "enough" (29%).
• 84% say they oppose the creation of a temporary storage facility for radioactive waste in their wider area of residence, while only 12% say they would accept it. The percentage of those who would accept the installation of such a unit, appears higher in young people aged 17 - 24 years (20%) and 25 - 34 years (17%).
37% state that the biggest problem is the impact on the next generations, due to the long life of radioactive waste, and 33% report the probability of an accident while managing radioactive waste. A smaller percentage refers to the high financial cost of radioactive waste management (15%) and the complexity of technical solutions for radioactive waste management (8%).
• Lack of trust in public authorities on radiation and radiation protection issues recorded in the survey: 40% say they do not trust them "at all", 25% trust them "a little", 14% "a lot" or "enough" and 20 % are neutral.
• 64% believe that the issues of radiation protection and nuclear safety are not dealt with transparently by the competent authorities in the country.
• 96% state that they do not know which is the competent regulatory authority for radiation safety in the country.
• Three out of four (73%) report that the relevant information is not sufficient / not enough.
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