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The Psychological Impact of Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Pollution in the Veneto Region, Italy: A Qualitative Study with Parents

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  • Marialuisa Menegatto

    (FISPPA Department, University of Padova, Via Venezia 14, 35131 Padova, Italy)

  • Sara Lezzi

    (FISPPA Department, University of Padova, Via Venezia 14, 35131 Padova, Italy)

  • Michele Musolino

    (FISPPA Department, University of Padova, Via Venezia 14, 35131 Padova, Italy)

  • Adriano Zamperini

    (FISPPA Department, University of Padova, Via Venezia 14, 35131 Padova, Italy)

Abstract

Little is known about the psychosocial impact on people who live in polluted areas, and its consequences for the parental role have been neglected. This study addresses this gap, proposing qualitative research referring to the case of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) water pollution in the Veneto Region of Italy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the chronic exposure contamination (CEC) experience of parents. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 parents living in the so-called ‘Red Area’ considered to have had maximum exposure. Grounded theory was used to analyse the data. The three themes to emerge were three phases of a dynamic process: shock around the discovery (phase 1), lifestyle change (phase 2), and living with PFAS (phase 3). The two transitions (loss of innocence and environmental adaptation) linked the phases. Our findings show that PFAS CEC experience is a process whereby parents need to move from the shock of discovery to adapting to the new situation in order to incorporate a change into their daily life, especially in regard to children. Two emerging aspects that characterised the process as a constant were uncertainty and health concerns, while role strains could be a stress source in the context of CEC. We suggest introducing the notion of chronic role strain (CRS).

Suggested Citation

  • Marialuisa Menegatto & Sara Lezzi & Michele Musolino & Adriano Zamperini, 2022. "The Psychological Impact of Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Pollution in the Veneto Region, Italy: A Qualitative Study with Parents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-22, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:22:p:14761-:d:968370
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marco Bonato & Francesca Corrà & Marta Bellio & Laura Guidolin & Laura Tallandini & Paola Irato & Gianfranco Santovito, 2020. "PFAS Environmental Pollution and Antioxidant Responses: An Overview of the Impact on Human Field," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-45, October.
    2. Couch, S.R. & Coles, C.J., 2011. "Community stress, Psychosocial hazards, and EPA decision-making in communities impacted by chronic technological disasters," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 101(SUPPL. 1), pages 140-148.
    3. Eric E. Calloway & Alethea L. Chiappone & Harrison J. Schmitt & Daniel Sullivan & Ben Gerhardstein & Pamela G. Tucker & Jamie Rayman & Amy L. Yaroch, 2020. "Exploring Community Psychosocial Stress Related to Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Contamination: Lessons Learned from a Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-19, November.
    4. Kristen M. Rappazzo & Evan Coffman & Erin P. Hines, 2017. "Exposure to Perfluorinated Alkyl Substances and Health Outcomes in Children: A Systematic Review of the Epidemiologic Literature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-22, June.
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    1. Marialuisa Menegatto & Adriano Zamperini, 2023. "Health and Psychological Concerns of Communities Affected by Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances: The Case of Residents Living in the Orange Area of the Veneto Region," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(22), pages 1-20, November.

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