Environmental risk perception in small villages in Hajdu-Bihar county, Hungary

Abstract Purpose This study investigated public perception of environmental risks, with a focus on domestic heating in Hungarian villages, and explored associations between risk perception and education, livelihood, gender, and other socio-economic factors by means of a questionnaire survey. Materials/methods Using standardised questionnaires, 533 participants were interviewed in small villages in Hajdu-Bihar County. The collected data were processed using Excel and RStudio software for statistical analysis. The chi-square test and logistic regression were used to examine the relationships between risk perception and socio-economic factors. Results The study found that public perception of risk in relation to environmental hazards – in this case, air pollution from domestic heating and nuclear power – was often irrational. The Hungarian nuclear power plant (located at least 180 km from the study sites) was incorrectly assumed to be a source of air pollution, while emissions from domestic heating were underestimated. Logistic regression analysis indicated significant associations between risk perception and factors such as education, livelihood, and gender (expressed as odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals). Education was both positively and negatively associated with certain risk factors. Higher economic status was associated with the perception of air pollution as a health risk. Women generally perceived the risks as more serious than men did. Conclusions The results of the study highlight the importance of understanding and addressing risk perception among the general public in rural Hungary in the context of environmental health risks. A targeted risk communication strategy is necessary to overcome bias in risk perception.