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Assessing the Levels of Awareness among European Citizens about the Direct and Indirect Impacts of Plastics on Human Health

Author

Listed:
  • Jelena Barbir

    (Faculty of Life Sciences, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, 21033 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Walter Leal Filho

    (Faculty of Life Sciences, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, 21033 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Amanda Lange Salvia

    (Graduate Program in Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Passo Fundo, 99052-900 Passo Fundo, Brazil)

  • Maren Theresa Christin Fendt

    (Faculty of Life Sciences, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, 21033 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Rachel Babaganov

    (Faculty of Life Sciences, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, 21033 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Maria Cristina Albertini

    (Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy)

  • Alessandra Bonoli

    (Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering, University of Bologna, 40131 Bologna, Italy)

  • Maximilian Lackner

    (Faculty of Industrial Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien, Hoechstaedtplatz 6, 1200 Vienna, Austria)

  • Daniela Müller de Quevedo

    (Clean Technology Center, Feevale University, 93525-070 Novo Hamburgo, Brazil)

Abstract

There is an urgent need to assess European citizens’ perspective regarding their plastic consumption and to evaluate their awareness of the direct and indirect effect of plastics on human health in order to influence current behavior trends. In this study, the evaluation has been cross-related with scientific facts, with the final aim of detecting the most recommendable paths in increasing human awareness, reducing plastic consumption, and consequently impacting human health. A statistical analysis of quantitative data, gathered from 1000 European citizens via an online survey in the period from May to June 2020, showed that a general awareness about the direct impact of plastic consumption and contamination (waste) on human health is high in Europe. However, only a few participants (from a higher educational group) were aware of the indirect negative effects that oil extraction and industrial production of plastic can have on human health. This finding calls for improved availability of this information to general public. Despite the participants’ positive attitude toward active plastic reduction (61%), plastic consumption on a daily basis is still very high (86%). The most common current actions toward plastic reduction are plastic bag usage, reusage, or replacement with sustainable alternatives (e.g., textile bags) and selecting products with less plastic packaging. The participants showed important criticism toward the information available to the general public about plastics and health. This awareness is important since significant relation has been found between the available information and the participants’ decisions on the actions they might undertake to reduce plastic consumption. The study clearly showed the willingness of the participants to take action, but they also requested to be strongly supported with joint efforts from government, policies, and marketing, defining it as the most successful way toward implementing these changes.

Suggested Citation

  • Jelena Barbir & Walter Leal Filho & Amanda Lange Salvia & Maren Theresa Christin Fendt & Rachel Babaganov & Maria Cristina Albertini & Alessandra Bonoli & Maximilian Lackner & Daniela Müller de Queved, 2021. "Assessing the Levels of Awareness among European Citizens about the Direct and Indirect Impacts of Plastics on Human Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-18, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:6:p:3116-:d:519408
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. STRAPCOVA Katarina & VOICU Bogdan & VOICU Malina, 2006. "Housework and gender inequality across Europe," IRISS Working Paper Series 2006-11, IRISS at CEPS/INSTEAD.
    2. Lili Jia & Steve Evans & Sander van der Linden, 2019. "Motivating actions to mitigate plastic pollution," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-3, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Magdi Du Preez & Daleen Van der Merwe & Louise Wyma & Susanna Maria Ellis, 2021. "Assessing Knowledge and Use Practices of Plastic Food Packaging among Young Adults in South Africa: Concerns about Chemicals and Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-19, October.
    2. Walter Leal Filho & Jelena Barbir & Pınar Gökçin Özuyar & Enrique Nunez & Jose Manuel Diaz-Sarachaga & Bertrand Guillaume & Rosley Anholon & Izabela Simon Rampasso & Julia Swart & Luis Velazquez & The, 2022. "Assessing Provisions and Requirements for the Sustainable Production of Plastics: Towards Achieving SDG 12 from the Consumers’ Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-23, December.

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