The accumulation of knowledge about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and the implementation of effective measures pose a challenge for the entire nation. With rural areas expected to decline and larger cities to expand in Sweden, there arises an increased disparity between the country's smallest and largest municipalities. This study aims to investigate and compare the efforts in PFAS management between Sweden's smallest and largest municipalities. A survey was sent to 100 municipalities where 26 of the smallest and 33 of the largest participated. The results show lower levels of knowledge and experience regarding PFAS in small municipalities but identification of potential PFAS contamination sources did not differ. Larger municipalities had more collaborations with regions, authorities, businesses, and research institutions and felt more prepared to tackle future PFAS challenges. Regardless of municipality size, the majority felt that resources for PFAS management were inadequate and demanded guidance and financial support. Collaborative efforts at the national and regional levels, coupled with financial resources, appear crucial to meet future PFAS challenges. The government and other relevant stakeholders should reassess their efforts to provide necessary resources, support, and guidelines for all municipalities, regardless of size. A similar study with greater participation from small and large municipalities would be more beneficial for further research. A comparative study with other countries or regions could provide additional insights into how various political, economic, and geographical factors influence PFAS management.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:umu-225401 |
| Date | January 2024 |
| Creators | Forsmark, Felicia |
| Publisher | Umeå universitet, Institutionen för ekologi, miljö och geovetenskap |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | Swedish |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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