From Knowledge Gaps to Trust: Investigating Public Views on Low-dose Radiation.

Abstract

This study presents a qualitative analysis of eight focus groups conducted in November 2024 to examine public perceptions, misconceptions, and informational needs related to low-dose radiation (LDR). Participants from diverse backgrounds discussed trust in science, perceived risk, personal experience, media influence, and expert communication. Initial uncertainty and skepticism were common, with many conflating LDR with high-dose exposure and nuclear accidents. Conflicting media portrayals, limited educational resources, and distrust of industry-funded research compounded this uncertainty. Trust in scientific authority was conditional: participants valued academic and government-backed research but were cautious of findings influenced by politics or corporations. Canadian studies were generally perceived as more credible than US research due to differences in regulatory and accountability frameworks. Risk perception was not static; expert presentations clarified the natural presence of radiation and its medical and environmental applications, leading to shifts in understanding in some groups, though skepticism persisted in others. Personal experiences, such as undergoing radiation therapy, and media representations shaped interpretations of risk. Across all groups, participants emphasized the need for transparent, emotionally resonant, and audience-specific communication. Recommendations included using trained science communicators, leveraging multimedia tools and social media platforms, and providing public health resources such as radon test kits and more precise risk-benefit explanations. Findings suggest that knowledge, experience, media, and institutional trust influence the public's understanding of LDR. Targeted, empathetic communication, combined with transparency in research, can foster a more informed public discourse. These insights have implications for public health communication, policymaking, and strategies to engage audiences on complex scientific topics (e.g., LDR) in a skeptical, media-saturated environment.