Knowledge levels on heavy metal pollution among the undergraduate students of higher education in Kazakhstani

One of the most critical problems our planet faces today is environmental pollution. Environmental pollution caused by global industrialization and modernization threatens the lives of animals, plants and humans to a great extent. Among environmental pollution, a serious danger is especially posed by heavy metal pollution. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge on heavy metal pollution of undergraduate students studying at higher education in Kazakhstan. The data of this cross – sectional study were collected in 2018 – 2019 academic year by means of social media for undergraduate students in Kazakhstan. The populations of this research are students of Kazakhstan and the sample of this research is 396 undergraduate studying students in Kazakhstan. The Heavy Metal Test was developed by the researcher to collect data. In this study, frequency, percent and chi – square analysis was performed using SPSS statistical computer program. The students ' heavy metal knowledge level was 13.1% good, 53.3% medium, 33.6% bad. It's determined that the heavy metal pollution classification scores of students indicate significantly differences according to gender, reading the news about environmental problems or not, participating in scientific studies such as seminars, conferences or not, participating in the studies of voluntary organizations on environmental education or not. At the same time, a significant difference was also found between whether the problems of environmental problems should be worried and whether the environmental problems should be taught in the courses. It's determined that the heavy metal pollution classification scores of students don't indicate significantly differences according the class level, age, faculty and their living regions. Key Words: Students, Environmental Education, Environment, Environmental Pollution, Heavy Metal