Citation

Martínez-Peña RM, Hoogesteijn AL, Rothenberg SJ, Cervera-Montejano MD, Pacheco-Ávila JG. PLoS One 2013; 8(8): e74352.

Affiliation

Independent researcher, 113 Woodview Terrace, Hurst, Texas, United States of America.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Public Library of Science)

DOI

10.1371/journal.pone.0074352

PMID

24009770

PMCID

PMC3751835

Abstract

Cleaning products are associated with many health and environmental problems. Contamination of water resources by cleaning products is more likely to occur with septic tanks as sewage treatment systems especially in karstic terrains. We explored women's ideas about water sources and the risk cleaning products pose to health and sewage in Mérida, a city in the Yucatán peninsula of Mexico. Women were unaware of the city's water management system. We found a positive and statistically significant association between risk perception and environmental awareness, education level and employment status. We suggest developing education and risk communication strategies to inform residents about the hydro-geological features in the Yucatán, the vulnerability of its karstic aquifer and the health and environmental risks associated with cleaning agents.

Language: en