Title: To dispose or not to dispose? When risk perception in decision-making impacts teaching and research laboratories environmental management

Authors: Fernanda Cristina Romero; Luciana Aparecida Farias; Luiz Omir de Cerqueira Leite

Addresses: Department of Environmental Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, 210, São Nicolau St., Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil ' Department of Environmental Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, 210, São Nicolau St., Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil ' Department of Sociology, Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo, 984, Monte Alegre St., Perdizes, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract: The environmental management systems of universities and research institutes must include waste management and, according to the hierarchy, they must prioritise prevention of the generation of these materials. The purpose of this paper is to identify, analyse and understand the perception of risk regarding radioactive waste among students at a Brazilian nuclear research institute. The study was exploratory qualitative and conducted with the participation of 104 individuals. For data collection, a structured questionnaire was applied, and a participant observation was carried out. It was found that despite the students receiving the same knowledge base in disciplines offered in graduate school, they had different perceptions regarding the risk of radioactive waste that interfered with their behaviour on the disposal of materials in their laboratory practices.

Keywords: radioactive waste; hierarchy; minimisation; green chemistry.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.138888

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2024 Vol.34 No.1, pp.68 - 85

Accepted: 17 Nov 2021
Published online: 03 Jun 2024 *

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