Internet User Awareness Assessment on the Impact of Microplastics on Health

Abstract

Microplastics are very small particles, less than 5 microns in size, which is 40-120 times thinner than a human hair. The nanoplastic has a size of less than 0.001 microns. The UN Environment Assembly in 2022 was dedicated to the problem of plastic pollution. WHO called on the scientific community to study the direct and indirect effects of microplastics on human health, and bloggers and social networks to raise awareness on this issue. The main purpose of the article was to assess the level of awareness of the problem of the impact of microplastics on human health by questioning a heterogeneous audience of Internet users. Our specially designed questionnaire consisted of 26 multiple choice questions. The representative sample included the answers of 281 respondents aged 15-50 years. Statistical processing of the obtained results was carried out using the SPSS software. This survey reflected gaps in knowledge regarding the routes of entry into the body and the environment, the sources of microplastics, and its impact on the development of specific diseases. In general, respondents are well aware of the negative direct and indirect effects of plastic, but due to convenience, habit and lack of alternatives, they still use it widely. Increasing the knowledge and awareness of the general population will increase the perception of the risk of disease and increase their actions to reduce microplastic pollution. Only 24.4% of respondents were in favor of actively reducing the use of plastic products. 42.4% of survey participants are still at the level of awareness of the problem and attempts to reduce plastic consumption. 57.7% of respondents believe that plastic products are used daily, forgetting that we live in a plastic world. As the results of the survey showed, respondents most often received information about the dangers of microplastics from social networks 52.4%, news — 36.9%, Google search engine — 35.94%, scientific articles — 29.2%, while communicating with friends, family — 22.9%. The respondents’ responses reflected their frequent use of food packaging, cosmetics and hygiene products, and plastic bags. Therefore, the most common current actions to reduce the use of plastic products are replacing sustainable alternatives and choosing products with less plastic packaging. Respondents were most aware of the impact of microplastics on the development of diseases such as cancer (37.8%); chronic inflammation (36.6%); inflammatory bowel disease (31.8%,), allergic diseases (31.1%) and respiratory problems (25.8%). A comprehensive and collaborative approach by governments, scientists, manufacturing companies and public health authorities to increase the sustainable production, use and disposal of plastics is essential to limit their subsequent harmful effects on human health.