Diffusion of US army chemical weapons disposal technologies: public perception of technology attributes |
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| Authors: | Bryan L Williams Hoi K Suen Sarah E Rzasa Tanya Heikkila Maria Pennock-Roman |
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| Institution: | 1. University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, 66 N. Pauline, Suite 633, Memphis, TN 38163, USA. E-mail: bwilli36@utmem.edu;2. The Pennsylvania State University, 103 CEDAR Building, University Park, PA 16802-3108, USA.;3. Biosphere 2 Center of Columbia University, 32540 S. Biosphere Road, PO Box 689, Hwy 77, Oracle, AZ 85623, USA. |
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| Abstract: | This study was conducted to identify factors that influence individuals' acceptance of environmental management technologies for cleaning up hazardous materials. The study sample consisted of approximately 2600 residents living within emergency response zones surrounding eight US Army's Chemical Weapons Stockpile sites. The findings suggest that residents perceive clear differences between the desirable characteristics of the two technologies: incineration and neutralization. In a relative comparison, the majority of positive technological attributes were associated with incineration. Positive perceptions toward incineration were associated with individuals who trust the Army, who perceive that the media have made them more trusting of weapons disposal activities, who are ready to participate, and who are male. Unlike incineration, there was insufficient evidence that individual factors influence variations in perceptions toward neutralization. No community factor was related to perceptions toward either incineration or neutralization. |
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