Oluwafunmilayo Ajiferuke’s research was presented by Michael Batame at the 2026 International Association for Society and Natural Resources (IASNR) Conference titled Communicating the Effects of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) with the Public to Assist in Environmentally Sound Decision Making. PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” are persistent environmental contaminants linked to potential risks to human health and the environment. The study examined how online health resources and individuals’ health motivation influence public knowledge of PFAS.
The findings showed that people who actively sought health information online and placed greater value on maintaining their health had more knowledge of PFAS. Both online health resources and health motivation were significant predictors of PFAS knowledge, suggesting that linking environmental issues to personal health can improve public understanding.
The research emphasizes framing PFAS communication to address both environmental and human health aspects, using trusted online health resources to increase awareness and facilitate informed environmental choices.
