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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to What does the public think about microplastics? Insights from an empirical analysis of mental models elicited through free associations
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.
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.
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.
An empirical assessment of worry about microplastics among the Norwegian public
Researchers surveyed 699 Norwegian adults online about their familiarity with and worry about microplastics, along with risk perception components including controllability, threat level, and personal values. Women and older respondents reported higher worry, and those endorsing self-transcendence values showed greater concern, though these demographic and value associations became non-significant once risk perception variables were included in the regression model.
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 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.
Scientists’ mental models of microplastics: insights into expert perceptions from an exploratory comparison of research methods
Researchers interviewed and surveyed microplastics scientists to understand how experts mentally map the sources, pathways, and health risks of plastic particle pollution in freshwater systems. Experts consistently pointed to household plastic consumption as a primary driver but acknowledged major gaps in understanding dose-response relationships — how much exposure causes how much harm — highlighting where science communication and risk management need to improve.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Development and Validation of a Questionnaire Assessing Plastic Use Patterns, Knowledge, and Attitudes Toward Microplastics in Relation to Cognitive Function in Indonesia
Researchers developed and validated a questionnaire to assess plastic use patterns, microplastic knowledge, and attitudes among Indonesian adults, with a focus on potential associations with cognitive function. The study provides a validated tool for measuring public awareness of microplastic exposure in Indonesia, where plastic pollution is particularly severe, and explores the emerging concern about neurocognitive effects of microplastic exposure.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Public Awareness, Knowledge, Attitude and Perception on Microplastics Pollution Around Lagos Lagoon
Researchers surveyed public awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding microplastic pollution around Lagos Lagoon in Nigeria, finding significant gaps in understanding among residents, students, and fishermen about microplastic health and ecological risks.
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.
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.
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.