Microplastic in Food and Water: Current Knowledge and Awareness of Consumers

Abstract

In recent years, the widespread of microplastics in the food chain and environment became a topic of much research. This article focused on the knowledge and awareness of people with higher education levels—mostly young ones. The aim of this study is to analyze to what extent consumers know about and are aware of the source of microplastics, the level of exposure, and potential health hazards connected to the contamination of food and water with microplastics. The test group, consisting of 410 people, is mostly able to correctly characterize what microplastics mean and knows its sources. A majority of the group is aware of potential presence of microplastics in water; however, the knowledge about contamination of other elements of the environment seems to be gradually lowering. The majority of the people taking part in the research know that microplastic might be present in foods, and they are aware that after entering the human body, it might accumulate in internal organs. Moreover, when asked about potential health hazards, the group chose mostly tumors and gastrointestinal disorders, while disorders of the reproductive system were chosen less frequently. Consumers’ knowledge regarding the sources and health hazards of microplastics seems to be more common among women, in groups living in cities and among people who studied physics-related subjects and medicine.

Lighting Up for Learning─Fluorescence Analysis of Microplastic Particles by Secondary School Students Using Nile Red

“…In the presurvey, students defined microplastics as small plastic particles. The knowledge gaps regarding the sources and environmental and health impacts we found were the same as reported in the literature. − In the feedback form, the identification of microplastics using this protocol received positive feedback from the students (see Figure ).…”

“…A successful transition to sustainability requires an informed society . It is well-known that microplastics are small plastic particles, but there are still knowledge gaps regarding their sources, occurrence, and impacts. − We aimed to address this gap with input designed on this topic. There is also a difference in how media communicate the risks induced by microplastics and how science communicates those facts .…”

“…It is usually known that in marine ecosystems this pollution is rather abundant, but the public often underestimates the heavy contamination of terrestrial ecosystems with plastic articles. ,, Microplastics have also been detected in the human body, and recently it was shown that they have some concerning effects on human health . As a consequence, research on the analysis of microplastic particles is rapidly growing, steadily increasing our knowledge of the pollution issue.…”

“…Thus, a major part of the public knows that microplastics are small plastic particles with potentially negative effects. However, there are knowledge gaps regarding sources and occurrence of microplastic particles and their effects and risks on human health. − …”

Role of wood flour on processability of marine biodegradable poly (3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH)/poly(butylene succinate‐co‐butylene adipate) (PBSA) blends in cast extrusion and thermoforming of take‐away food containers

“…They are often subjected to fragmentation due to the environmental conditions, especially on the beach, generating the so-called microplastics. 8 The growing awareness towards the risks of microplastics 9 and the EU directive on single use plastics 4 led to the development and to the research of alternative solutions to traditional food packaging. In the last years, new types of food trays and take away packaging have been developed in order to meet the requirements of low environmental footprint, biodegradability and functionality.…”