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Research article

Risk perception and use of personal care products by race and ethnicity among a diverse population

Authors
  • Julia Mandeville orcid logo (George Mason University, Fairfax, VA)
  • Zeina Alkhalaf (George Mason University, Fairfax, VA)
  • Charlotte Joannidis (George Mason University, Fairfax, VA)
  • Michelle Ryan (George Mason University, Fairfax, VA)
  • Devon Nelson (George Mason University, Fairfax, VA)
  • Lesliam Quiros-Alcala orcid logo (Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD)
  • Matthew O Gribble orcid logo (University of California, San Francisco, CA)
  • Anna Z Pollack orcid logo (George Mason University, Fairfax, VA)

This is version 1 of this article, the published version can be found at: https://doi.org/10.14324/111.444/ucloe.3038

Abstract

Personal care products can contain phthalates, parabens and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals. However, information on perception of risks from personal care product use and how use varies by race and ethnicity is limited. We evaluated differences in personal care product use and risk perception in a diverse sample of participants recruited from a US college campus and online. A self-administered questionnaire captured information on sociodemographic factors, personal care product use trends and perception of risk associated with them. Pearson’s chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to determine differences in personal care product use and risk perception by race and ethnicity. Ordered logistic regressions were performed to measure associations between personal care product use frequency across racial/ethnic categories. Participant (n = 770) mean age was 22.8 years [standard deviation ± 6.0]. Daily use of make-up (eye = 29.3%; other = 38.0%; all = 33.7%) and skincare products (55%) was most frequently reported among Middle Eastern and North African participants. Non-Hispanic Black participants reported the highest daily use of hairstyling products (52%) and lotion (78%). Daily make-up use was more frequently reported among females (41%) than males (24.6%). Levels of agreement were similar across racial and ethnic groups, that personal care product manufacturers should be required to list all ingredients (≥87%). There were significant associations between the frequency of use of some personal care products and racial/ethnic categories when the use frequencies of participants from other racial/ethnic categories were compared to the use frequency of non-Hispanic White participants. There were significant differences in daily use frequency, levels of trust, perception of safety and health risks associated with personal care products by race and ethnicity, underscoring that there may be different sources of exposure to chemicals in personal care products by race and ethnicity.

Keywords: personal care products, diversity, perception of safety, risk perception, use frequency, race and ethnicity, people and the environment, health

577 Views

Published on
13 May 2024
Peer Reviewed
License
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0

 Open peer review from Viv Patel

Review
The manuscript outlines a study undertaken to understand the differences in risk perception regarding PCP use among individuals of different racial identities. A cross-sectional survey was deployed, which was answered by college students. This study contributes to the body of literature by emphasising the possibility that various racial/ethnic groups may perceive risk at higher levels. This could be a sign of a problem with environmental health awareness, as well as a lack of knowledge about current, ineffective regulations, opaque product packaging, and resources that can help consumers make decisions about PCP products.

I recommend Accept with minor revisions.

Firstly, a section on missingness of the data needs to be included, and the patterns of missingness be analysed to understand whether there was a confounding factor among the survey participants that may have caused non-compliance.

Secondly, while the discussion is rich and analyses several perspectives, there is limited reference of the mindsets and perceptions of college students, and factors that may affect their choices compared to adults. Greater mention can be made of this rather than broader attempted generalizations.

Thirdly, while social media use and its impact are mentioned, more references can be made to studies impacting the use of social media amongst college students, the propagation of ‘trends’, and the impact these have on PCP use and risk perceptions.

Lastly, small errors in the results section exist, under the Risk Perception of Personal Care Products section, where Asian is mentioned twice when comparing risk perceptions regarding PCP regulation and these should be rectified.

Note:
This review refers to round 1 of peer review.

 Open peer review from Xingzuo Zhuo

Review
The manuscript investigates the perception of risk and usage of personal care products (PCP) across diverse racial and ethnic populations. It applies a survey-based approach to gather data on individual perceptions and practices regarding PCP use, focusing on how these vary among different racial and ethnic groups. The study aims to uncover patterns and influences that drive PCP choices and risk awareness, providing insights into behavioural differences influenced by cultural and societal factors. This research contributes to a better understanding of consumer behaviour in the context of personal care and health risk awareness.

I recommend Accept with minor revision.

1. What is the sample size in adjusted regressions in Table 4? I believe missing data exists, according to Table 1. Please also further discuss missing data and the representativeness of your data.

2. Please mention potential confounding factors that you considered in the Method section, particularly for the regression models. e.g., are they not included due to further ethical approval required? It is not sufficient to state it with one sentence in discussion (Finally, in this study, we did not capture or measure the socioeconomic status of the respondents).

3. Please limit your conclusions to the "young adults" setting. e.g., There were significant differences in daily use frequency, levels of trust, perception of safety, and health risks associated with PCPs by race and ethnicity among young adults.

Note:
This review refers to round 1 of peer review.