Recognition of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Behavior to ReduceExposure to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Cooking Staff Working atChild Care Center Located in Gyeonggi Province
10.14373/JKDA.2020.26.3.183
- Author:
Subin JANG
1
;
Kyeong Sook YIM
;
Youngju KIM
;
Hyung-Sook KIM
Author Information
1. Dept. of Food & Nutrition, College of Health Science, The University of Suwon, Hwaseong 18323, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
2020;26(3):183-195
- CountryRepublic of Korea
-
Abstract:
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are chemicals present in the environment that interfere with the normalhormone functions of various organisms and cause genetopathy, deformities, or cancer. This study surveyedthe awareness of EDCs with 242 cooking staff at 242 meal service facilities for children located in apart of Gyeonggi Province. To minimize infants’ exposure to EDCs, the subjects were provided with informationon EDCs for two months. The behavior of reducing exposure to EDCs was analyzed according tothe awareness of EDCs and work ethics. In addition, the effects before and after being provided with the informationwere evaluated. According to the results, the levels of awareness of EDCs and work ethics’ scoresof the cooking staff were high with 3.95 and 4.39 points, respectively, out of five points. In addition, a higherawareness of EDCs and a higher work ethics’ score were associated with an improved behavior of reducingexposure to EDCs (P＜0.05). The overall cooking and cleaning behavior for reducing exposure toEDCs showed improvement after providing information (P＜0.01). Therefore, these results suggest that it isimportant to provide continuous education to enhance the awareness of EDCs, work ethics, and behavior toreduce exposure to EDCs.
