Liesbeth Claassen
Biographic Data
| ID | 1563630 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Liesbeth Claassen |
| GIVEN NAMES | Liesbeth |
| FAMILY NAME | Claassen |
| SIGNATURE | CLAASSEN L |
| AFFILIATIONS | National Institute for Public Health and the Environment |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-5808-5797 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 20 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 13 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 20 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2010 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2024 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
Uncertainty, risk and the Dutch energy transition. A commentary
Contrasting perspectives on the risks of intensive livestock farming in The Netherlands
In the Netherlands, intensive livestock farming is a recurrent topic of societal debate with stakeholders having quite different perspectives on the benefits and harms. In particular, stakeholders appear to have different perceptions on the risks to human and animal health. This paper reports a quantitative analysis of a survey on the perceptions of risks and benefits of intensive livestock farming conducted among the general public, including pe…
Particulate matter in the workplace
We recommend implementing our folder in companies with high PM exposure and focusing further research on appropriate methods of implementation
Dynamics in public perceptions and media coverage during an ongoing outbreak of meningococcal W disease in the Netherlands
The real-time insights into the interrelated dynamics of public perceptions, responses, and media coverage provide an integrated portrait of the social developments during this outbreak. The focus on IMD severity and the absence of doubt in the public discussion about vaccine safety may have played an important role in the societal response to this outbreak and the recommended vaccine
How to Address Consumers’ Concerns and Information Needs about Emerging Chemical and Microbial Contaminants in Drinking Water; The Case of GenX in The Netherlands
The perceived safety of tap water is an important condition for consumers to drink it. Therefore, addressing consumers' concerns should be included in the roadmap towards the UN SDG 6 on safe drinking water for all. This paper studies consumers' information needs regarding emerging contaminants in drinking water using a mental model approach for the development of targeted risk communication. As most consumers expect safe drinking water, free of …
Development and usability of educational material about workplace particulate matter exposure
Based on this study, the folder we developed is suitable for a larger-scale experiment and a practical test. Further research is needed to investigate the efficacy of the folder and the application of the exposimeter in a PM risk communication system
Information needs during an emerging outbreak of meningococcal W135 disease in the Netherlands
Our results suggest that healthcare professionals might not have been optimally equipped or prepared for questions from teenagers and their parents at the beginning of the vaccination campaign. We recommend public health institutes to timely assess and meet information needs about new vaccines in healthcare professionals to optimally equip them for consultations
‘It is not entirely healthy.’ A qualitative study into public appraisals of uncertain risks of chemical substances in food
For some chemical substances in food, scientific uncertainty prevents definitive statements about the presence of risk for human health. In this qualitative study, we explored the public’s understanding and risk appraisal of these substances. During semi-structured interviews, participants from the public were presented with inconclusive risk information about either a food additive or one of two food contaminants. Findings show that interviewees…
Stay clear from the smoke’
In the Netherlands, until recently, public messages in case of a large chemical fire, routinely contained phrases such as: ‘no hazardous materials have been detected in the smoke’, ‘there is no danger to public health’, and ‘people are recommended to stay indoors and close doors and windows’. Such messages not only fail to adequately inform people about risk, they are also inherently inconsistent. That is, the advice to stay clear from the smoke …
Electromagnetic field exposure in power plants
Electromagnetic fields, or EMF, are ubiquitous in our daily life. Extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF MF) are generated by any device using electric current. Especially in workplace situations involving MRI scanners, welding equipment, induction heaters, and power plants, they are known for potentially high field strengths. These high field strengths may lead to adverse health effects if insufficient preventive measures are in place. Thi…
Public Perceptions of Contentious Risk
This paper reports on the perceptions of risk related to practicing sports on fields containing rubber granulate infill, and preferences for mitigation measures, among people with and without offspring exposed to rubber granulate. Two repeated surveys were conducted among members of the general population and parents of children aged under 18, in the middle of a dynamic public discussion about the potential health risks of exposure to rubber gran…
Intensive Livestock Farming and Residential Health
The presence of intensive livestock farms in close vicinity to residential areas in the Netherlands is a complex problem characterised by knowledge uncertainty about the effects on residential health, overlapping value-driven concerns and stakeholder diversity. In order to address concerns about the health effects and effectively manage the debate about intensive livestock farming, constructive stakeholder dialogues are encouraged, informed by cu…
Understanding of the concept of ‘uncertain risk’. A qualitative study among different societal groups
In environmental health science, the concept ‘uncertain risk’ refers to situations in which epistemic uncertainties prevent definitive statements about the presence or existence of risk. The concept is difficult for risk communication and may easily lead to miscommunications and misunderstanding. This research investigated how the concept of uncertain risk is understood by different societal groups. We conducted in-depth interviews with the gener…
Improving lay understanding of exposure to electromagnetic fields; the effect of information on perception of and responses to risk
Studies show that, although many people are concerned about the potential health risks of being exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMF), lay understanding of exposure, an important determinant of risk perceptions and responses, is limited. In an online consumer panel (n = 245), we tested the effects of providing people with information about EMF on lay understanding of exposure, and on perceptions and responses to risks, using an experimental 2 ×…
Health responses to a new high-voltage power line route
This is the first study to investigate health responses to a new power line route in a prospective manner. The results will provide theoretical insight into psychosocial mechanisms operating during the introduction of an environmental health risk, and may offer suggestions to policymakers and other stakeholders for minimizing adverse health responses when introducing new high-voltage power lines
Focal points for improving communications about electromagnetic fields and health
Central to the precautionary policy is the provision of information about electromagnetic fields (EMF) technology, exposures, potential health risks and exposure management actions to the public. To meet this need at the broadest level, beyond the specific technology foci of previous research, a research project was commissioned as part of Dutch Electromagnetic Fields and Health Research Programme. This study provides an assessment of Dutch EMF i…
People’s responses to risks of electromagnetic fields and trust in government policy
Trust in government policy affects the way people perceive and handle risks. In our study, we investigated the relationships between trust in government policy regarding electromagnetic fields (EMF), perceived risk and perceived benefits of public and personal EMF sources, perceived control over exposure to EMF and responses to the possible EMF health risk (e.g. protest against placement of mobile phone base stations or power lines, or taking own…
Media coverage on electromagnetic fields and health
The way health risks of electromagnetic fields are portrayed in the media may shape public concerns that the growing exposure to electromagnetic fields in daily life constitutes a health hazard. We analysed the content of information on electromagnetic fields and health in Dutch media to identify aspects that might be linked to the public perception of electromagnetic fields. A systematic search was performed on archives of five major Dutch newsp…
Using family history information to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent diseases; a discussion of the evidence
In addition to risk assessment, family history information can be used to personalize health messages, which are potentially more effective in promoting healthy lifestyles than standardized health messages. More research is needed on the evidence for the effectiveness of such a tool
Perceived Risk and Representations of Cardiovascular Disease and Preventive Behaviour in People Diagnosed with Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Perceived risk and representations of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and preventive behaviour of people diagnosed with Familial Hypercholesterolemia by DNA testing ( N = 81) were assessed. In general, participants perceived their own CVD risk as being relatively low. While participants reported almost optimal medication adherence (99%), only 49 per cent reported following recommendations concerning diet and physical activity. Family history of CVD…
Perceived Risk and Representations of Cardiovascular Disease and Preventive Behaviour in People Diagnosed with Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Perceived risk and representations of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and preventive behaviour of people diagnosed with Familial Hypercholesterolemia by DNA testing ( N = 81) were assessed. In general, participants perceived their own CVD risk as being relatively low. While participants reported almost optimal medication adherence (99%), only 49 per cent reported following recommendations concerning diet and physical activity. Family history of CVD…
Understanding of the concept of ‘uncertain risk’. A qualitative study among different societal groups
In environmental health science, the concept ‘uncertain risk’ refers to situations in which epistemic uncertainties prevent definitive statements about the presence or existence of risk. The concept is difficult for risk communication and may easily lead to miscommunications and misunderstanding. This research investigated how the concept of uncertain risk is understood by different societal groups. We conducted in-depth interviews with the gener…
Improving lay understanding of exposure to electromagnetic fields; the effect of information on perception of and responses to risk
Studies show that, although many people are concerned about the potential health risks of being exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMF), lay understanding of exposure, an important determinant of risk perceptions and responses, is limited. In an online consumer panel (n = 245), we tested the effects of providing people with information about EMF on lay understanding of exposure, and on perceptions and responses to risks, using an experimental 2 ×…
Stay clear from the smoke’
In the Netherlands, until recently, public messages in case of a large chemical fire, routinely contained phrases such as: ‘no hazardous materials have been detected in the smoke’, ‘there is no danger to public health’, and ‘people are recommended to stay indoors and close doors and windows’. Such messages not only fail to adequately inform people about risk, they are also inherently inconsistent. That is, the advice to stay clear from the smoke …
Focal points for improving communications about electromagnetic fields and health
Central to the precautionary policy is the provision of information about electromagnetic fields (EMF) technology, exposures, potential health risks and exposure management actions to the public. To meet this need at the broadest level, beyond the specific technology foci of previous research, a research project was commissioned as part of Dutch Electromagnetic Fields and Health Research Programme. This study provides an assessment of Dutch EMF i…
Using family history information to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent diseases; a discussion of the evidence
In addition to risk assessment, family history information can be used to personalize health messages, which are potentially more effective in promoting healthy lifestyles than standardized health messages. More research is needed on the evidence for the effectiveness of such a tool
Perceived Risk and Representations of Cardiovascular Disease and Preventive Behaviour in People Diagnosed with Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Perceived risk and representations of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and preventive behaviour of people diagnosed with Familial Hypercholesterolemia by DNA testing ( N = 81) were assessed. In general, participants perceived their own CVD risk as being relatively low. While participants reported almost optimal medication adherence (99%), only 49 per cent reported following recommendations concerning diet and physical activity. Family history of CVD…
Media coverage on electromagnetic fields and health
The way health risks of electromagnetic fields are portrayed in the media may shape public concerns that the growing exposure to electromagnetic fields in daily life constitutes a health hazard. We analysed the content of information on electromagnetic fields and health in Dutch media to identify aspects that might be linked to the public perception of electromagnetic fields. A systematic search was performed on archives of five major Dutch newsp…
People’s responses to risks of electromagnetic fields and trust in government policy
Trust in government policy affects the way people perceive and handle risks. In our study, we investigated the relationships between trust in government policy regarding electromagnetic fields (EMF), perceived risk and perceived benefits of public and personal EMF sources, perceived control over exposure to EMF and responses to the possible EMF health risk (e.g. protest against placement of mobile phone base stations or power lines, or taking own…
Health responses to a new high-voltage power line route
This is the first study to investigate health responses to a new power line route in a prospective manner. The results will provide theoretical insight into psychosocial mechanisms operating during the introduction of an environmental health risk, and may offer suggestions to policymakers and other stakeholders for minimizing adverse health responses when introducing new high-voltage power lines
Focal points for improving communications about electromagnetic fields and health
Central to the precautionary policy is the provision of information about electromagnetic fields (EMF) technology, exposures, potential health risks and exposure management actions to the public. To meet this need at the broadest level, beyond the specific technology foci of previous research, a research project was commissioned as part of Dutch Electromagnetic Fields and Health Research Programme. This study provides an assessment of Dutch EMF i…
Improving lay understanding of exposure to electromagnetic fields; the effect of information on perception of and responses to risk
Studies show that, although many people are concerned about the potential health risks of being exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMF), lay understanding of exposure, an important determinant of risk perceptions and responses, is limited. In an online consumer panel (n = 245), we tested the effects of providing people with information about EMF on lay understanding of exposure, and on perceptions and responses to risks, using an experimental 2 ×…
Public Perceptions of Contentious Risk
This paper reports on the perceptions of risk related to practicing sports on fields containing rubber granulate infill, and preferences for mitigation measures, among people with and without offspring exposed to rubber granulate. Two repeated surveys were conducted among members of the general population and parents of children aged under 18, in the middle of a dynamic public discussion about the potential health risks of exposure to rubber gran…
Intensive Livestock Farming and Residential Health
The presence of intensive livestock farms in close vicinity to residential areas in the Netherlands is a complex problem characterised by knowledge uncertainty about the effects on residential health, overlapping value-driven concerns and stakeholder diversity. In order to address concerns about the health effects and effectively manage the debate about intensive livestock farming, constructive stakeholder dialogues are encouraged, informed by cu…
Understanding of the concept of ‘uncertain risk’. A qualitative study among different societal groups
In environmental health science, the concept ‘uncertain risk’ refers to situations in which epistemic uncertainties prevent definitive statements about the presence or existence of risk. The concept is difficult for risk communication and may easily lead to miscommunications and misunderstanding. This research investigated how the concept of uncertain risk is understood by different societal groups. We conducted in-depth interviews with the gener…
‘It is not entirely healthy.’ A qualitative study into public appraisals of uncertain risks of chemical substances in food
For some chemical substances in food, scientific uncertainty prevents definitive statements about the presence of risk for human health. In this qualitative study, we explored the public’s understanding and risk appraisal of these substances. During semi-structured interviews, participants from the public were presented with inconclusive risk information about either a food additive or one of two food contaminants. Findings show that interviewees…
Stay clear from the smoke’
In the Netherlands, until recently, public messages in case of a large chemical fire, routinely contained phrases such as: ‘no hazardous materials have been detected in the smoke’, ‘there is no danger to public health’, and ‘people are recommended to stay indoors and close doors and windows’. Such messages not only fail to adequately inform people about risk, they are also inherently inconsistent. That is, the advice to stay clear from the smoke …
Electromagnetic field exposure in power plants
Electromagnetic fields, or EMF, are ubiquitous in our daily life. Extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF MF) are generated by any device using electric current. Especially in workplace situations involving MRI scanners, welding equipment, induction heaters, and power plants, they are known for potentially high field strengths. These high field strengths may lead to adverse health effects if insufficient preventive measures are in place. Thi…
How to Address Consumers’ Concerns and Information Needs about Emerging Chemical and Microbial Contaminants in Drinking Water; The Case of GenX in The Netherlands
The perceived safety of tap water is an important condition for consumers to drink it. Therefore, addressing consumers' concerns should be included in the roadmap towards the UN SDG 6 on safe drinking water for all. This paper studies consumers' information needs regarding emerging contaminants in drinking water using a mental model approach for the development of targeted risk communication. As most consumers expect safe drinking water, free of …
Development and usability of educational material about workplace particulate matter exposure
Based on this study, the folder we developed is suitable for a larger-scale experiment and a practical test. Further research is needed to investigate the efficacy of the folder and the application of the exposimeter in a PM risk communication system
Information needs during an emerging outbreak of meningococcal W135 disease in the Netherlands
Our results suggest that healthcare professionals might not have been optimally equipped or prepared for questions from teenagers and their parents at the beginning of the vaccination campaign. We recommend public health institutes to timely assess and meet information needs about new vaccines in healthcare professionals to optimally equip them for consultations
Particulate matter in the workplace
We recommend implementing our folder in companies with high PM exposure and focusing further research on appropriate methods of implementation
Dynamics in public perceptions and media coverage during an ongoing outbreak of meningococcal W disease in the Netherlands
The real-time insights into the interrelated dynamics of public perceptions, responses, and media coverage provide an integrated portrait of the social developments during this outbreak. The focus on IMD severity and the absence of doubt in the public discussion about vaccine safety may have played an important role in the societal response to this outbreak and the recommended vaccine
Contrasting perspectives on the risks of intensive livestock farming in The Netherlands
In the Netherlands, intensive livestock farming is a recurrent topic of societal debate with stakeholders having quite different perspectives on the benefits and harms. In particular, stakeholders appear to have different perceptions on the risks to human and animal health. This paper reports a quantitative analysis of a survey on the perceptions of risks and benefits of intensive livestock farming conducted among the general public, including pe…
Uncertainty, risk and the Dutch energy transition. A commentary
Medicine (16 works) · Psychology (14 works) · Risk Perception and Management (11 works) · Environmental health (10 works) · Business (9 works) · Perception (9 works) · Public health (9 works) · Risk perception (7 works) · Biostatistics (6 works) · Computer Science (6 works)