Stakeholder perspectives on environmental health-related testing

There has been a growing literature on exposome and environmental health-related research, public acceptance, and understanding of ecological health-related testing; however, it has remained underexplored, especially in the context of rapid testing. This study aims to fill this gap by gathering insights into what key stakeholders see as the primary ethical implications, benefits, and possible risks of environment-related tests. 32 interviews were conducted with potential users, medical providers, and ethicists, asking them about their perceptions of environment-related testing, who would benefit most from the research, and if these tests might detract focus from other, directly relevant health-related factors. The study found that the main concerns among these stakeholders include test reliability, the need for tests where the ecological factor being tested has a proven causality for human health, the possibility for individuals or communities to achieve change based on the test results, and the need for tests that foster social justice.