PFAS alert in Kallinge did not lead to a clear increase in healthcare use

In a new study, researchers examine how the announcement itself affected residents’ health in the short term, measured through hospital visits and prescriptions. Using detailed register data on specialist care and prescribed medicines, they analysed whether healthcare use increased after the news became public.

“The results show no increase in either specialist visits or the use of prescription medicines, including those related to mental health, such as antidepressants or sleep medication, during the first six months following the alert,” says Mattias Öhman, Associate Professor and Researcher in Economics at IBF, and one of the authors of the study.

The study captures the effect of the information shock itself, rather than the long-term medical effects of PFAS exposure. As residents had been exposed over a long period but received the information at a specific point in time, the researchers were able to distinguish the reaction to the announcement from the direct toxic effects.

The researchers suggest that the findings indicate that both the local community and the authorities managed the situation in a way that mitigated concern and prevented it from developing into more serious health problems requiring medical care.

“Our findings suggest that residents were able to process the information without developing such severe worry or anxiety that it led to increased use of healthcare beyond primary care. This may indicate that the response from society and public institutions was, on the whole, well balanced – conveying serious information without at the same time creating undue concern. Previous qualitative research in Sweden also points to the importance of transparent risk communication that clearly acknowledges uncertainties and is based on open and proactive dialogue with the public,” says Mattias Öhman.