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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to An empirical assessment of worry about microplastics among the Norwegian public
ClearWho worries about microplastics? The relative importance of personal values and individual risk judgements / ¿A quién le preocupan los microplásticos? La importancia relativa de los valores personales y los juicios individuales de riesgo
Researchers surveyed nearly 700 people in Norway to understand what drives public worry about microplastic pollution. They found that personal values and individual risk perceptions were the strongest predictors of concern, more so than demographic factors or general environmental attitudes. The study suggests that communication strategies about microplastic risks should account for how people personally evaluate threats rather than relying solely on scientific information.
Exploring public risk perceptions of microplastics: Findings from a cross‐national qualitative interview study among German and Italian citizens
Researchers conducted interviews with citizens in Germany and Italy to understand how ordinary people think about the risks of microplastics. They found that people often transferred their knowledge about large plastic pollution to microplastics, used concepts like accumulation and dose-response to reason about risks, and saw environmental and human health threats as closely connected. The study suggests that public risk perceptions of microplastics are shaped by intuitive reasoning and personal experiences rather than formal scientific knowledge.
Public perception of microplastics pollution in Switzerland: Psychological distance, concern, and willingness to engage in mitigation activities
Researchers surveyed over 900 people in Switzerland to understand how the public perceives microplastic pollution and their willingness to take action. The study found that people perceive microplastics as a relatively close threat on most psychological dimensions, and that concern about the issue, particularly concern for nature, is a stronger predictor of willingness to engage in mitigation activities than psychological distance alone.
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.
The impact of values and social norms on consumers’ intention to avoid cosmetics containing microplastics: The mediating role of risk perception and personal norm
This research examined how consumer risk perception of cosmetics containing microplastics, shaped by personal values and social norms, influences the intention to avoid such products. The model found that environmental concern and social norms were key drivers of avoidance behavior.
Risk perception of differet environmental concerns
This study investigated how individuals perceive and prioritize different environmental risks including microplastics, air pollution, and climate change, using survey data to compare risk perception across demographic groups. The findings reveal that awareness of microplastic risks lags behind other environmental concerns.
Is the public really concerned about microplastics? The importance of measuring everyday relevance and behavioral intentions as well as stated concern
Researchers surveyed over 2,200 citizens in Germany and Italy to examine whether public concern about microplastics translates into everyday relevance and behavioral change. While stated concern was high in both countries, most people reported thinking or talking about microplastics only rarely, though they still expressed willingness to take action to reduce exposure. The study found that both stated concern and everyday relevance mediated the link between knowledge about microplastics and intentions to change behavior.
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.
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.
Public perceptions of electromagnetic fields and environmental health risks
Researchers surveyed public perceptions of electromagnetic fields and environmental health risks in Ireland using behavioral science methods. While not focused on microplastics, the study provides insights into how the public evaluates environmental health risks, finding that substantial minorities hold concerns even where scientific evidence of harm is lacking.
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.
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.
Explicitly and Implicitly Measured Valence and Risk Attitudes Towards Plastic Packaging, Plastic Waste, and Microplastic in a German Sample
This psychology study measured both explicit and implicit attitudes toward plastic packaging and microplastics in German consumers, finding that people simultaneously appreciate the convenience of plastic while expressing concern about pollution. The gap between attitudes and behavior helps explain why plastic consumption continues despite public concern about microplastics.
Public perception of microplastics pollution in Switzerland: Psychological distance, concern, and willingness to engage in mitigation activities
A survey in Switzerland examined public psychological distance from microplastic pollution and willingness to take mitigation action. Despite high awareness, many respondents perceived the problem as temporally and personally distant, and concern did not reliably predict behavioural intentions, highlighting communication challenges for policymakers.
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.
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.
Extending the theory of planned behaviour to investigate the issue of microplastics in the marine environment
Researchers extended the theory of planned behaviour to investigate public attitudes toward marine microplastic pollution, finding that environmental awareness and perceived behavioral control significantly predicted consumers' intentions to reduce microplastic-generating product use.
Assessment of Risk Perception on Microplastics Pollution in Drinking Water Sources
Researchers surveyed higher education students to assess their risk perception of microplastic pollution in drinking water sources and measured relationships between perception, concern, and behavioral intention to reduce plastic use. The study aimed to identify knowledge gaps and inform awareness campaigns targeting informed plastic reduction behavior among young adults.
Risk Perception of Plastic Pollution: Importance of Stakeholder Involvement and Citizen Science
Researchers examine how people perceive the risk of plastic pollution and find that eight key factors — including visibility, familiarity, and severity — shape public and policy responses. Greater involvement of citizens and stakeholders in science could improve risk understanding and lead to more effective regulations.
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.
Risk, efficacy, and the moderating role of policy effectiveness in microplastic reduction intentions
A survey study examined how perceived risk severity, vulnerability, self-efficacy, and response efficacy influence people's intentions to reduce microplastic use, finding that perceived policy effectiveness moderated the relationship between these beliefs and pro-environmental behavioral intentions.
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.
Knowledge, concerns and attitudes towards plastic pollution: An empirical study of public perceptions in Portugal
A survey of public knowledge, concerns, and attitudes toward plastic pollution found that awareness varied significantly across demographic groups, and that concern about plastic in different environmental compartments (air, water, soil) did not always translate into pro-recycling behaviors.
Environmental Value and Pro-environmental Behavior Among Young Adults: The Mediating Role of Risk Perception and Moral Anger
A survey of 558 young adults tested the relationship between environmental values and pro-environmental behavior, finding that risk perception and moral anger acted as mediating mechanisms through which values translated into action. The study provides insights for environmental communication strategies aimed at motivating plastic pollution reduction behaviors in younger populations.