Open AccessRisks of Plastic Debris: Unravelling Fact, Opinion, Perception, and Belief
Author(s) -
Albert A. Koelmans,
Ellen Besseling,
E.M. Foekema,
Merel Kooi,
Svenja M. Mintenig,
Bernadette C. Ossendorp,
Paula E. RedondoHasselerharm,
Anja Verschoor,
Annemarie P. van Wezel,
Marten Scheffer
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
environmental science and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.851
H-Index - 397
eISSN - 1520-5851
pISSN - 0013-936X
DOI - 10.1021/acs.est.7b02219
Subject(s) - worry , perception , risk perception , public opinion , risk assessment , risk analysis (engineering) , debris , plastic waste , risk communication , environmental planning , psychology , environmental resource management , forensic engineering , business , environmental science , political science , computer science , engineering , computer security , geography , waste management , law , anxiety , neuroscience , psychiatry , politics , meteorology
Researcher and media alarms have caused plastic debris to be perceived as a major threat to humans and animals. However, although the waste of plastic in the environment is clearly undesirable for aesthetic and economic reasons, the actual environmental risks of different plastics and their associated chemicals remain largely unknown. Here we show how a systematic assessment of adverse outcome pathways based on ecologically relevant metrics for exposure and effect can bring risk assessment within reach. Results of such an assessment will help to respond to the current public worry in a balanced way and allow policy makers to take measures for scientifically sound reasons.