Chemicals are nowadays used on a daily basis at work, at home or at school. Both, the number of registered chemicals and their presence in everyday products are growing increasingly. However, their use represents a certain risk to the user and the environment. If we want to prevent possible accidents it is important to raise awarrenes of the appropriate handling of chemicals in the early stages of education. To efficiently reach such a goal, a reserch towards the chemicals perception by the pupil of our primary and secondary schools, and how is their awarness of safety and risk in this area, is proposed.
The research was conducted with the 2nd and the 4th year secondary school pupils and the 8th and the 9th year primary school pupils with a survey based on the responsible use of chemicals. Awareness of the presence of hazardous substances in everyday life and their safe handling, and whether there are differences between high school and primary school students was examined in the diploma thesis based on the 132 surveys. It was assumed that the general attitude towards chemicals handling among students was positive, and high school students were more familiar with chemicals and the risks associated with them.
The results of the research showed that the general attitude towards chemicals among students is positive. They are aware of the chemicals around them on a daily basis and also how to appropriately use them. There is also correlation between their age and their responsible use, as high school students knowledge is developing and they are more aware of responsible use. Knowledge of laboratory work could also be attributed to this. Based on these findings, both hypotheses were confirmed.
To improve safety culture and effectively reduce risk, seminars with practical cases on this issue could be prepared and conducted in schools fort he pupils. Further training could be provided for the teachers on how to implement safety trough chemistry classes and laboratories trough in an appropriate and interesting way. Lectures with the safety topics could be incorporated into the regular curiculum, thus encouraging pupils to evaluate chemicals critically in aninteresting, though educational approach. Responsible use of chemicals should not be taken as an obligatory requirement of the legislation, but as a welcome guide trough an efficient and safe work without undesired health and environmental consequences.
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