Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Addressing the topic, Microplastics in Human Blood, in school – Connecting school students' and scientists' perspectives

This study developed educational approaches to help school students critically engage with the topic of microplastics in human blood, which is often framed as alarming in public discourse despite significant scientific uncertainty about health relevance. The curriculum connected blood microplastic findings to broader science literacy skills including evidence appraisal and risk communication.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Increasing knowledge and awareness of microplastic pollution in United States middle school students in a hybrid-classroom setting through science education

Researchers assessed microplastic pollution knowledge and awareness among middle school students in the United States, finding significant gaps in understanding of microplastic sources, pathways, and human health implications. The study highlights an educational opportunity and suggests targeted curriculum integration could improve scientific literacy around plastic pollution in younger generations.

2024 Journal of Geoscience Education 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Scientific literacy through Problem-Based Learning focusing on the occurrence and consequences of microplastics in the environment

Researchers implemented a Problem-Based Learning approach to develop scientific literacy skills in students by focusing on the occurrence and environmental consequences of microplastics. The study, conducted in a Portuguese-language educational context, used microplastics as a real-world science topic to cultivate critical thinking and evidence-based decision-making competencies.

2024 Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (Universidade de São Paulo)
Article Tier 2

Increasing Awareness on the Health Effects of Microplastics in Middle and High School Classrooms

Educators developed a presentation and hands-on laboratory experiment on microplastic health effects for middle and high school students, finding that structured lessons significantly improved student understanding of how micro- and nanoplastics interact with the human body. The curriculum addresses a documented gap in public education about plastic pollution biology.

2025 Physiology
Article Tier 2

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.

2024 Aquademia 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Science Literacy Profile of High School Students: Implications of PBL Didactic Design on the Topic of Microplastics

This education research paper is not primarily about microplastic risks; it studies Indonesian high school students' scientific literacy after a problem-based learning curriculum using microplastics as a teaching topic, assessing students' ability to explain phenomena, evaluate investigations, and interpret data within the PISA framework.

2026 Hydrogen Jurnal Kependidikan Kimia
Article Tier 2

An Examination of Knowledge, Thoughts, and Attitudes Toward Microplastics in the Context of Science Teacher Education

This study looked at what science teachers know and think about microplastics - tiny plastic particles that can get into our food, water, and bodies. The research found gaps in teachers' understanding of microplastics, which matters because teachers play a key role in educating the next generation about these health and environmental concerns. Better teacher education about microplastics could help students make more informed choices about plastic use and understand potential health risks.

2026 Harvard Dataverse
Article Tier 2

Public awareness, knowledge gaps, and health anxiety concerning microplastics in human blood: a cross-sectional survey of Indian adults

A new study of 1,200 Indian adults found that while 75% knew about tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in human blood, only 28% understood how they actually get into our bodies and just 25% knew what health problems they might cause. People who got their information from social media had higher anxiety about microplastics and were more likely to believe incorrect information, like thinking these particles directly cause cancer. This shows we need better science communication to help people understand the real risks without unnecessary worry.

2026 Frontiers in Public Health
Article Tier 2

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.

2021 PLoS ONE 26 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2021 PubMed 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Uncertainty 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.

2021 Scientific Reports 29 citations
Article Tier 2

School science activities with contributions from STEM practices: A study to address complex problems in elementary school classes, in the case of microplastics and their harmful effects

Researchers developed a theoretical and explanatory framework identifying which aspects of STEM education can strengthen the design of school science activities addressing complex problems such as microplastic pollution in elementary school settings. The study proposes a model for integrating STEM practices into classroom activities to build students' capacity to engage with real-world environmental challenges.

2025 Repositorio Universidad Distrital
Article Tier 2

Fourteen-Year-Old Students’ Understanding of Problems Related to Microplastics in the Environment

Researchers assessed 14-year-old Slovenian students' understanding of microplastics in the environment, a topic absent from the national curriculum. The study found that students had limited knowledge, though performance correlated with grades in chemistry and biology, and exposure through informal or extracurricular science activities improved understanding.

2025 Sustainability
Article Tier 2

Microplásticos no corpo humano: um percurso investigativo no ensino médio para despertar a consciência ambiental

This experience report describes a secondary school investigative didactic sequence in Brazil on microplastics in the human body, guiding 10th-grade students from initial hypothesis through flipped classroom activities to experimental investigation. The project successfully engaged students with environmental science and raised awareness of personal microplastic exposure.

2025 Health and Biosciences
Systematic Review Tier 1

Marine microplastic pollution & misinformation in the public sphere: a systematic review

This systematic review examines how scientific findings about marine microplastic pollution are communicated to the public, identifying gaps where misinformation can take hold. Accurate public understanding of microplastic risks matters because it drives consumer choices and policy decisions that affect human health protection.

2024 Discover Oceans 4 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2023 PeerJ 14 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2026 Open Science Framework
Article Tier 2

Communicating scientific uncertainties: Effects of message and audience characteristics in the context of microplastic health risks

Researchers conducted an experiment with over 1,100 participants in Austria to study how communicating scientific uncertainty about microplastic health risks affects public perception. They found that emphasizing a lack of scientific consensus led to lower risk perception and indirectly reduced support for related policies. Framing uncertainty as remaining knowledge gaps rather than disagreement among scientists produced less negative effects on public engagement.

2026 Public Understanding of Science
Article Tier 2

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.

2023 Bulletin of Science and Practice 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic in Food and Water: Current Knowledge and Awareness of Consumers

This study surveyed 410 highly educated young consumers and found that while awareness of microplastics in food and water is growing, significant knowledge gaps remain about contamination sources, exposure levels, and associated health risks.

2022 Nutrients 34 citations
Article Tier 2

Caixas didáticas para popularização científica dos microplásticos e impacto nos organismos e ecossistemas aquáticos

This Brazilian study developed and tested educational kits for teaching students about microplastics and their impacts on ecosystems, deploying the materials in public schools. Science education tools that make microplastic pollution tangible for students are important for building the public awareness needed to drive behavior change and support policy solutions.

2023 Journal of Environmental Analysis and Progress
Article Tier 2

The effect of environmental health education on microplastic pollution awareness

This study found that environmental health education significantly increased students' awareness of microplastic pollution. The results suggest that incorporating microplastic-related topics into school curricula could help young people understand the health and environmental risks of plastic pollution. Raising awareness early is an important step toward reducing microplastic exposure at the individual and community level.

2024 Public Health Nursing 10 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2025 Urban Science
Article Tier 2

Desenvolvimento da literacia química de alunos do ensino básico

A Portuguese citizen-science project engaged over 500 middle-school students in testing coastal water quality and learning about microplastic pollution through hands-on chemistry investigations. The program significantly improved students' attitudes toward chemistry and their conceptual understanding of water parameters and polymers compared to a control group, demonstrating that microplastic science can be an effective hook for building broader scientific literacy in young people.

2024 Educación Química 2 citations