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Results of the BfR studies
Public perception of aluminium
What did the media report about aluminium in consumer products and
foods?
The media paid significantly more attention to the subject last year than
they did in 2013. What we observed here was not only that more articles
were published but also that there was stronger emphasis on the risk
potential. Where 54 % of the analysed articles reported on the possible
dangers of aluminium in consumer products in 2013, this figure jumped
to a total of 87 % in 2014.
Were there other areas of main focus in the reports?
In particular aluminium in cosmetics was a consumer advice and service
topic, because the majority of the articles were placed in the service
and health sections of newspapers. This is understandable, because it
concerns a possible risk where consumers can decide very easily and
individually whether or not they prefer to dispense with antiperspirants
and switch to aluminium-free deodorants instead. The topic received the
most media coverage in the summer months, by the way.
Is the topic regarded overall as a health risk by the general public?
There is no clear answer to that. Even though a small majority of 52 %
said that they regard aluminium in consumer products as a risk, as many
as 35 % of respondents took up no clear position. The comparatively
high number of don't-knows is an indication that the general public has
not yet formed a final opinion on the subject of aluminium either.
Why “either”?
I'm referring to research here, because a final decision has still to be
reached in scientific risk assessment too due to gaps in the available
data. Despite these blind spots, the subject still generates public atten-
tion. We have established that it is widely known throughout the popula-
tion, as has been reported in the media. A peculiarity, by the way, was
that the topic attracted the most attention among women and younger
people.
Have the respondents changed their behaviour regarding the use of
products containing aluminium due to the perceived possible risks?
Yes, there was a distinct difference between the sexes: 36 % of men
stated that they had changed their behaviour as opposed to 64 % of
women. It can therefore be seen that at least for some consumers, it
would appear to be a controllable risk.
Where do you still see a need for clarification?
From the point of view of risk communication, we have to look at the
fact that half of the population is unaware of the difference between
deodorants and antiperspirants. This means that deodorants overall are
associated with a risk. The BfR will make even more reference to this
difference in its future communications. Because it is hardly known that
food is also an important intake source of aluminium, this aspect has to
be addressed more strongly too.
||
Aluminium in consumer
products is a high-profile
topic which is widely known
to the general public and
which has also been picked
up on by the media.
The subject has caught
the attention of women
and younger people pay
in particular.
Just over half of the respondents
regard aluminium in consumer
products as a health risk.
A third of them have changed
their habits with regard to
products that contain aluminium
by changing to products which
do not contain any, for example.
Consumers in Germany
want improved labelling
and more products without
aluminium.
Main Topic 2014
|
Aluminium in everyday life
