A preliminary survey to assess the awareness, attitudes/behaviours, and opinions pertaining to plastic and microplastic pollution among students in India

Dowarah, Kaushik; Duarah, Hemashree; Devipriya, Suja P.

doi:10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105220

Cited by 30 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Since the questionnaire was administered on a voluntary basis to students from selected scienceoriented courses of a medium-sized university (UNIMORE), the sample size is subject to this constraint, reflecting overall 25% of the number of undergraduate students in their first and second years, with differences depending on the degree course (Table S1). The number of questionnaires received is yet in line with previous survey-based studies [24,37,38,41]. In particular, [38] focused on a broader and more diversified sample considering the same number of students as in this study (220), but from various institutions across a whole country (India) and at different education levels/fields, thus with a higher heterogeneity of the participants.…”

Section: Students' Sample Sizementioning

confidence: 77%

“…The number of questionnaires received is yet in line with previous survey-based studies [24,37,38,41]. In particular, [38] focused on a broader and more diversified sample considering the same number of students as in this study (220), but from various institutions across a whole country (India) and at different education levels/fields, thus with a higher heterogeneity of the participants.…”

Section: Students' Sample Sizementioning

confidence: 77%

“…The questionnaire "Micro for life-Plastic that lasts" was developed at UNIMORE by experts in the field of Ecology and Ecotoxicology, taking into account the relevant literature on the topic to assess knowledge, perception, and attitudes [36][37][38]43,45] of the respondents.…”

Section: Questionnaire Design and Structurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The part of the population that should be most aware of environmental risks is represented by students in the field of scientific disciplines, who should adopt sustainable and pro-environmental behaviours and also disseminate them [30,31,34,35]. Involving students in awareness-raising projects by motivating them to embrace the challenges of plastic pollution has been recognized as an effective training and action tool to promote virtuous behaviours and orient the new generations towards a "plastic-free" (or at least a "plastic-less") future [24,[36][37][38][39][40][41][42].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Level of Awareness and Attitudes towards Plastic Contamination by Students of an Italian University

Righi,

Bergami,

Simonini

et al. 2024

Sustainability

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Although micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) represent one of the main environmental emergencies worldwide, citizens are not always aware of their active role in contributing to such contamination. In this study, the perception, level of knowledge, and behaviours towards MNPs were assessed in young citizens in Modena (Italy), represented by science-oriented Bachelor’s students (n = 220) enrolled at the university, through the administration of a voluntary-based questionnaire. No differences in knowledge and in students’ attitudes were observed according to gender and the undergraduate program. Students seem to be aware of MNPs’ global distribution and effects on ecosystems but were less advised about MNP types and their potential effects on human health. A positive correlation between the students’ level of concern and their knowledge or their behaviour was found. Differently, no correlation between students’ knowledge and behaviour towards plastic and MNP contamination was observed. Thus, having a good knowledge of the issue does not always translate into effective actions planned to mitigate the problem. As a first step forward, more environmental education programs should be promoted to increase knowledge and awareness in young citizen as well as pro-environmental behaviours to pursue future mitigation strategies.

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Section: Students' Sample Sizementioning

confidence: 77%

Section: Students' Sample Sizementioning

confidence: 77%

Section: Questionnaire Design and Structurementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Level of Awareness and Attitudes towards Plastic Contamination by Students of an Italian University

Righi,

Bergami,

Simonini

et al. 2024

Sustainability

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“…Individuals with lower income and education levels may need more access to resources and information to protect themselves from exposure. Gender and educational levels predicted awareness of MPs pollution among Indian students ( Dowarah, Duarah & Devipriya, 2022 ). Including these variables can help identify potential disparities and differential risk perceptions.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of media narratives on microplastics risk perception

Pop,

Ozunu,

Petrescu

et al. 2023

PeerJ

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Background Media are the interface between scientists and citizens, communicating and interpreting the risk message and powerfully influencing individual awareness, public debate, and, hence, people’s behavior. Pollution by microplastics (MPs), a threat to public health and terrestrial and marine ecosystems, has received research, media, and public interest. However, how MPs environmental and health risks are reflected in the media and assessed in the scientific literature does not find consensus over time. To date, few studies have examined social aspects around MPs, such as, for example, factors that influence awareness and perception of the risk of MPs. In this context, the objective of this study is twofold. First, we determined if media narratives influenced Romanians’ awareness of MPs, and second, we investigated if media narratives influenced Romanians’ perceptions of MPs health and environmental risk. Method An online survey was conducted among 417 Romanian respondents. The questionnaire had 21 questions. The questions were related to the awareness of MPs, the perceived health risk of MPs, the perceived environmental risk of MPs, the intensity of exposure to media narratives about the MPs impact on health and the environment, and the demographics. Binary logistic regression was run to identify what media narratives influenced MPs awareness and risk perception. In recent times, mass media has shaped perceptions of health and environmental risks, driven by events like COVID-19 and global climate change. Our study relies on media narratives as its foundation. Results Binary logistic regression showed that the awareness of MPs is influenced by the media narrative “Microplastics in the sea threaten fish stocks” (p = 0.001). When the frequency of exposure to this media narrative increases, the probability of reporting awareness of MPs increases. Likewise, an increase in age represents a higher probability of reporting awareness of MPs. The perceived health risk of MPs, with the highest weighting, was related to the dependent variable “Leakage of harmful chemicals from MPs affects the soil” (p = 0.014). Conclusions Media narratives about plastic and MPs pollution have increased over time, influencing the perception of this risk. The study argues the need for accurate and balanced media reporting on MPs to prevent the spread of misinformation and ensure that people clearly understand MPs risks. Furthermore, a closer examination of people’s perceptions supports the design of appropriate interventions to reduce plastic consumption, thereby decreasing the risks of MPs pollution with benefits for human health and the environment.

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Are we eating plastic? Science mapping of microplastic pollution in the aquatic food chain

Ahmad,

Fauzi,

Ahmad

et al. 2024

Integr Envir Assess & Manag

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This study evaluates the knowledge structure of microplastic pollution and its effects on the aquatic food chain. The presence of microplastics has seriously harmed the ecosystem. Through bibliometric analysis, 216 journal publications were retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) from 2008 to 2023 (April), with no restriction in the time frame. Applying bibliographic coupling and co‐word analysis, the emerging, current, and future themes of microplastic pollution are presented. Three research streams are derived from bibliographic coupling, centralized on the source of microplastic pollution and its impact. At the same time, research streams from co‐word analysis are associated with overcoming the issue of microplastics in the ecosystem. This study's implications suggest three main principles to mitigate microplastic issues: (1) educating the public on the impact of microplastic pollution, (2) implementing holistic regulations and policies, and (3) developing treatment strategies through conventional, innovative, and hybrid approaches. Microplastic pollution is a global concern, requiring a holistic and comprehensive approach to overcome it. This review is the first to present a scientific mapping of the microplastics literature, which is a fundamental basis for future research on microplastic pollution and its impact on the ecosystem. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;00:1–12. © 2024 SETAC

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A preliminary survey to assess the awareness, attitudes/behaviours, and opinions pertaining to plastic and microplastic pollution among students in India

Cited by 30 publications

References 30 publications

Level of Awareness and Attitudes towards Plastic Contamination by Students of an Italian University

Level of Awareness and Attitudes towards Plastic Contamination by Students of an Italian University

The influence of media narratives on microplastics risk perception

Are we eating plastic? Science mapping of microplastic pollution in the aquatic food chain

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