The use of man-made chemical pesticides on food crops is one of many food safety issues of concern to consumers. The study presented here examined the attitudes of the UK public towards the use of organophosphate pesticides in food production. Questionnaire data was collected during March to April 1998 from 414 people living in either the Leeds or Bristol areas. Half of the participants also received an information sheet describing the benefits of pesticide use, and how the maximum level of pesticide residue allowable in fruit and vegetables is set and monitored. The questionnaire used open ended questions to determine the degree of knowledge the public had about the presence of organophosphate pesticide residues in produce, which groups of people might be especially vulnerable to them, and what the ill effects from contact with them might be. Attitudes towards statements made about the use of organophosphate pesticides, and perceived risks associated with their use, were measured on a 7 point scale. Sixty-seven percent of the sample had heard of organophosphate pesticide residues in food, with no significant difference found between the participants who had or had not received the additional information sheet. The views of the public on groups of people vulnerable to pesticide residues in foods, and the ill effects caused by contact with them will be discussed. Principal Component Analysis on the attitude statement data revealed a major risk component, onto which the majority of the attitude statements loaded. This component related to the risks of organophosphate pesticides to human health, and the opinion that pesticide use was objectionable and unnatural. Further examination of these statements revealed significant differences in attitudes towards organophosphate pesticides between the genders, and age groups.

This research was funded by the UK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.