Sentiment mapping of microplastic awareness in educational environments
Abstract Microplastic pollution poses a significant environmental and health challenge due to its persistence and pervasive distribution across ecosystems. This study investigates public perceptions of microplastics, focusing on their environmental and health impacts, through semi-structured intervi...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Associação Brasileira de Polímeros
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Polímeros |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0104-14282025000200604&lng=en&tlng=en |
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| Summary: | Abstract Microplastic pollution poses a significant environmental and health challenge due to its persistence and pervasive distribution across ecosystems. This study investigates public perceptions of microplastics, focusing on their environmental and health impacts, through semi-structured interviews with 96 participants from diverse educational backgrounds in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Sentiment analysis, hierarchical clustering, and machine learning techniques were employed to analyze the data. Participants ' educational levels and interview locations influenced substantial variability in awareness and attitudes towards microplastics. Academic groups, particularly those specialized in environmental sciences, expressed higher concerns than less specialized or non-academic groups. Sentiment analysis indicated a predominance of neutral to mildly positive sentiments, with 36 distinct clusters identified. The study highlights the need for targeted educational interventions to bridge knowledge gaps and promote pro-environmental behaviors. The results underscore the role of academic background in shaping public perceptions, suggesting tailored communication strategies to mitigate microplastic pollution. |
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| ISSN: | 1678-5169 |