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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Public perceptions and expert opinions about microplastic and nanoplastic contamination in water
ClearPublic Perceptions and Expert Opinions About Microplastic & Nanoplastic Contamination in Water
This study surveyed public perceptions and expert opinions on microplastic and nanoplastic contamination in Canada, examining how different groups perceive the risks of plastic particles found in water bodies. The research aimed to inform policy by identifying disparities between public concern and scientific understanding.
Public Perceptions and Expert Opinions About Microplastic & Nanoplastic Contamination in Water
This study surveyed public perceptions and expert opinions on microplastic and nanoplastic contamination in Canada, where plastic bans have been enacted but research on stakeholder risk perception remains limited. Findings highlighted gaps between expert understanding and public awareness of plastic pollution risks.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Plastic Pollution of the Tennessee River: Comparing Risk Perceptions and Preferred Policy Solutions Between Stakeholders and the Public
Researchers surveyed both the general public and local stakeholders along the Tennessee River about their perceptions of plastic pollution risks and preferred policy solutions. They found that while both groups recognized the environmental and health risks of plastic and microplastic pollution, their preferred approaches to addressing the problem differed. The study highlights the importance of understanding community perspectives when designing effective policies to reduce freshwater plastic contamination.
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.
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.
Microplastics in Water and Food: [Not]Awareness
A survey of internet users assessing awareness of microplastic contamination in food and water found that most respondents were aware of microplastics in urban water sources but had limited knowledge of specific exposure levels and health risks.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 personal care products: Exploring perceptions of environmentalists, beauticians and students
This study surveyed consumer and expert perceptions of microplastics in personal care products, finding that awareness was low among the general public but that both groups generally supported regulation. The research highlights the importance of consumer education and policy in reducing primary microplastic inputs from cosmetic products.
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.
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.
Micro- and Nano-Plastics in Drinking Water: Threat or Hype? Critical State-of-the-Art Analysis of Risks and Approaches
This analysis critically reviewed the evidence on whether microplastics and nanoplastics in drinking water pose genuine health risks to humans. Researchers found that while contamination is widespread, definitive proof that microplastics cause harm at real-world environmental concentrations has not yet been established. The study examines advanced water treatment technologies and calls for improved detection methods and more realistic exposure studies before drawing firm conclusions about health threats.
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.