Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Unveiling Microplastic Ignorance: A Study on Knowledge and Awareness Among Pune’s Urban Population – A Mixed Method Approach

Researchers used a mixed-methods approach—qualitative interviews and a quantitative survey—to assess microplastic knowledge and awareness among 100 urban residents in Pune, India. General awareness was moderate, but specific knowledge of exposure sources and health risks was limited, suggesting public education campaigns focused on practical exposure reduction are needed.

2025 Nature Environment and Pollution Technology
Article Tier 2

The social divide in environmental action: demographic gaps in public response to microplastic pollution in Taiwan

A population survey in Taiwan found significant demographic gaps in awareness of and action on microplastic pollution, with education, income, and age being strong predictors of both knowledge and behavioral response. These findings highlight that public health campaigns about microplastics need to be targeted and inclusive, as the populations least engaged may also face the greatest exposure risks.

2026 Health Promotion International
Systematic Review Tier 1

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.

2025 Sustainable Futures 1 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2022 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

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.

2020 Marine Pollution Bulletin 293 citations
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

Evaluation of public knowledge and attitudes concerning microplastic pollution: A study in Saint Martin's Island, Bangladesh

Researchers surveyed 100 residents and tourists on Saint Martin's Island, Bangladesh, and found that higher education levels significantly improved knowledge and awareness of microplastic pollution, with participants recommending social media campaigns, affordable alternatives to single-use plastics, and stronger government recycling initiatives as priority solutions.

2025 Heliyon 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Next steps for research on society and microplastics

This perspective paper assessed the contributions of social and behavioral sciences to microplastics research, covering policy analysis, public education, and stakeholder engagement. The authors argue for greater integration of social science methods to understand and reduce plastic pollution at the human systems level.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
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

Community awareness and perceptions on microplastics: a case study from Sri Lanka

A community survey in Sri Lanka assessed public awareness of microplastic pollution using convenience sampling across rural and urban areas, finding generally low awareness of microplastics as an environmental and health concern. The results highlight the need for public education campaigns about microplastic risks and regulatory measures.

2023 Ceylon Journal of Science 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics pollution understanding of beachgoers in Cape Town: South Africa

Researchers surveyed beachgoers at Muizenberg and La Guiette beaches in Cape Town, South Africa, to assess public understanding of microplastic pollution. The study found varying levels of awareness about the environmental and health impacts of microplastics, highlighting the need for improved public education and engagement on plastic pollution issues.

2025 Cambridge Prisms Plastics 1 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2025 Environmental Health Engineering and Management
Article Tier 2

Analysis of public awareness and perception of microplastic particles in Roumania

A survey study assessed public awareness and perception of microplastic pollution among the Romanian population, finding significant gaps in knowledge about MP sources, health effects, and environmental fate, with educational level and geographic factors influencing awareness levels.

2025 Revue Roumaine de Chimie
Review Tier 2

From Awareness to Action: A Critical Review of Public Knowledge and Behavioral Gaps in Addressing Plastic Pollution

This review examined why public awareness of plastic pollution has not translated into meaningful behavioral change. The study found that most people focus on visible plastic waste like bottles and bags but have limited understanding of sources like microplastics from clothing and tires, with key barriers to action including convenience, cost, social norms, and distrust in recycling systems.

2026 International Journal of Science and Research Archive
Article Tier 2

Exploring the Differences and InfluencingFactors of Public Participation in EnvironmentalProtection Behavior in the Private and PublicSpheres in China

Not relevant to microplastics — this sociological study analyzes factors influencing Chinese citizens' environmental protection behaviors in public and private spheres, using 2013 national survey data.

2023 Polish Journal of Environmental Studies 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Investigating the knowledge, attitude and perception on microplastic pollution: a comparison between residents in Temerloh living in urban and rural areas

Researchers surveyed urban and rural residents of Temerloh, Malaysia, on their knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of microplastic pollution, finding gaps in awareness that contribute to poor waste management behaviours and ongoing environmental contamination.

2023 UiTM Institutional Repositories (Universiti Teknologi MARA)
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

Next steps for research on society and microplastics

This perspective paper outlined priority directions for social and behavioral science research on microplastics, building on the established contributions of social sciences to understanding policy, stakeholder views, and public behavior around plastic pollution. The authors called for greater integration of social science methods to address governance gaps and support effective microplastic management.

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

From Awareness to Action: A Critical Review of Public Knowledge and Behavioral Gaps in Addressing Plastic Pollution

This review examined why public awareness of plastic pollution has not translated into meaningful behavior change. Researchers found that most people focus on visible plastic items like bottles and bags but have limited knowledge about microplastics from clothing or tires. Key barriers to action include convenience, cost, social norms, and distrust in recycling systems, suggesting that education alone is insufficient without strategies targeting specific behavioral changes.

2026 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Review Tier 2

From Awareness to Action: A Critical Review of Public Knowledge and Behavioral Gaps in Addressing Plastic Pollution

This review examined why high public awareness of plastic pollution has not led to meaningful action. Researchers found that people tend to focus on visible pollution like bottles and bags while overlooking less obvious sources such as microplastics from clothing and tires. The study concludes that bridging the awareness-to-action gap requires strategies that address specific behavioral barriers including convenience, cost, and distrust in recycling systems.

2026 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

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.

2024 Journal of Engineering Sciences and Innovation
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

Public Awareness Of Plastic Pollution And Perceived Risks To Human Health.

This study aims to assess public awareness of plastic pollution and its health impacts by surveying urban and semi-urban communities about their plastic use habits and self-reported health outcomes. Researchers plan to compare families using plastic food-contact materials with those using non-plastic alternatives to identify gaps in awareness and potential health differences linked to everyday plastic exposure.

2026