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Papers
20 resultsShowing papers similar to Marine microplastic pollution & misinformation in the public sphere: a systematic review
ClearUncertainty about the risks associated with microplastics among lay and topic-experienced respondents
Researchers surveyed 1,681 respondents globally and found significant uncertainty about microplastic health risks not only among the general public but also among scientists who study plastics, reflecting the genuine knowledge gaps in current research on microplastic hazards.
From Ocean to Table: How Public Awareness Shapes the Fight Against Microplastic Pollution
This literature review synthesized global studies on public awareness of microplastic pollution, finding that while scientific knowledge has expanded significantly, public understanding and behavioral change remain limited. The study identified effective communication strategies and policy approaches to bridge the gap between scientific evidence and public action.
The influence of media narratives on microplastics risk perception
Researchers examined how media narratives about microplastic pollution influence public risk perception. The study argues that accurate and balanced reporting is essential to prevent misinformation and ensure people clearly understand the risks associated with microplastics. The findings suggest that understanding public perceptions can help design better interventions to reduce plastic consumption and its associated health and environmental impacts.
Bridging the gap between microplastic research and social awareness of microplastic pollution through science communication: A call for action
Researchers examined the gap between scientific knowledge of microplastic pollution and public awareness, calling for improved science communication strategies. The study found that despite an enormous body of research documenting microplastics in soil, water, air, and organisms, effective translation of these findings into public understanding and policy action remains inadequate.
Internet User Awareness Assessment on the Impact of Microplastics on Health
A survey of 281 internet users aged 15–50 across diverse demographics assessed public awareness of microplastic health risks. Results revealed significant gaps in understanding — most respondents had heard of microplastics but underestimated their prevalence in food and water and were unaware of specific health effects. The study highlights that public health messaging about microplastics lags well behind the scientific evidence, which matters because consumer behaviour and policy support both depend on informed public understanding.
The degree of awareness of the risk of microplastic particles/people’s perception in taking preventive measures for this type of risk
This study surveyed public awareness of microplastic risks and perceptions around taking protective measures, finding that knowledge levels were variable and that most people had limited understanding of exposure routes and health implications. The authors call for targeted public communication campaigns to increase risk awareness.
Conceptions of university students on microplastics in Germany
Researchers surveyed German university students to capture their conceptions and misconceptions about microplastics, finding significant gaps between scientific knowledge and public understanding. The findings provide a basis for improving science communication and educational strategies around microplastic pollution.
Microplastics in our oceans and marine health
This general review examined the scale of microplastic ocean contamination and its risks to marine life and human health, covering ingestion pathways, food web transfer, and the current regulatory landscape. The authors argue that public education, plastic use reduction, and stronger waste governance are essential to preventing further marine contamination.
Review: Global perceptions of plastic pollution: The contours and limits of debate — R0/PR2
This review analyzes 39 peer-reviewed studies on public perceptions of plastic pollution, finding that debate is largely focused on marine environments and single-use plastics. The review notes gaps in public awareness of microplastics' health effects and calls for better communication to inform policy negotiations.
Public knowledge of microplastics for pro-environmental behavior
Researchers analyzed public knowledge of microplastics and its relationship to pro-environmental behavior, finding that because microplastics are invisible to the naked eye, public perception depends entirely on external information sources rather than direct experience, with implications for environmental communication strategies.
Health Literacy of Microplastics
This project examines public understanding and awareness of microplastic contamination as a health and environmental issue. The research focuses on health literacy related to microplastics, assessing how well people comprehend the sources, exposure pathways, and potential risks of these ubiquitous pollutants.
A systematic review of microplastics perception and its factors: Implications on SDGs
This systematic review examines public awareness and understanding of microplastic pollution around the world. The findings show that gender and education level are key factors in how people perceive microplastic risks, and that more research is needed on how awareness translates into behavior changes that could reduce plastic pollution and its health impacts.
Exploring the microplastics health impacts risk perception in Iranian people: Challenges and improvement strategies
Researchers surveyed Iranians to assess their awareness and risk perception of microplastic health hazards, finding significant gaps in public understanding despite growing environmental contamination. The study proposes strategies spanning individual behavior, community education, and national policy to improve microplastic risk management.
Making sense of microplastics? Public understandings of plastic pollution
Researchers conducted focus groups to explore public understanding of microplastics and plastic pollution. Most participants were unaware of microplastics, and few connected their personal plastic use to ocean pollution, instead associating the issue with distant images like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The study suggests that the invisible scale of microplastics, limited scientific understanding, and deeply embedded cultural habits around plastic use present significant barriers to behavior change.
Telling stories about (micro)plastic pollution: Media images, public perceptions and social change
This paper examines how microplastic pollution has been framed in media reporting and how the public understands the issue, finding that culturally embedded ideas about risk and health shape people's responses. Understanding media framing and public perception is important for designing effective communication strategies around microplastic contamination.
Surveys of Knowledge and Awareness of Plastic Pollution and Risk Reduction Behavior in the General Population: A Systematic Review
This systematic review examines public surveys about plastic pollution awareness and whether that knowledge leads people to change their behavior. Understanding what people know and do about plastic pollution is important because individual actions, like reducing single-use plastic, can meaningfully lower microplastic exposure for both people and the environment.
A survey on knowledge and awareness on the issue "microplastics": a pilot study on a sample of future public health professionals.
This pilot survey of future public health professionals revealed limited knowledge about microplastic pollution, highlighting the need for better education so that health workers can effectively communicate microplastic risks to the general population.
Understanding microplastic pollution of marine ecosystem: a review
This review summarizes the current understanding of microplastic pollution in oceans, covering where they come from, how they spread, and their harmful effects on marine life and potentially human health. Microplastics are found throughout the ocean -- from surface waters to deep sediments -- and can transfer toxic chemicals to organisms that consume them. The authors highlight that significant gaps remain in detection methods and understanding the full scope of how marine microplastics affect the food chain that leads to our plates.
What does the public think about microplastics? Insights from an empirical analysis of mental models elicited through free associations
Researchers surveyed 2,720 Norwegians and found that the public primarily associates microplastics with ocean pollution and harm to animals, while awareness of microplastic sources and potential solutions remains low, with responses varying by age, gender, education, and personal values.
Microplastic pollution in marine ecosystems: sources, impacts, andstakeholder-based solutions
This review covers the sources, pathways, and biological impacts of microplastics in marine ecosystems — including physical injury, chemical toxicity, and food web disruption — and proposes stakeholder-based solutions combining regulation, monitoring, and public engagement.