Experiencing the Danger: Enhancing Chemical Accident Presentation in VR for Safety Education

Chemical accidents pose substantial risks to personnel, surrounding communities, and the environment, underscoring the importance of effective safety education and training. Virtual reality (VR) provides immersive and risk-free simulations, yet many systems still prioritize realism, which may not always effectively support hazard perception. This study investigates how different accident presentations-Realistic versus Exaggerated-affect learners' perception, emotional responses, and safety-related learning in a $2 \times 3$ mixed design across Spill, Fire, and Explosion scenarios. Results show that Exaggerated presentations enhance arousal, perceived risk, and safety awareness, while Realistic presentations support immersion and understanding of accident mechanisms. The three accident scenarios elicited distinct response patterns. These findings offer practical guidance for designing VR-based safety training and suggest broader applications for immersive educational environments.