Polímeros: Ciência e Tecnologia
https://revistapolimeros.org.br/article/doi/10.1590/0104-1428.20240119
Polímeros: Ciência e Tecnologia
Original Article

Sentiment mapping of microplastic awareness in educational environments

Viviane Silva Valladão; Fernando Gomes de Souza Júnior; Sérgio Thode Filho; Fabíola da Silveira Maranhão; Letícia de Souza Ribeiro; Maria Eduarda da Silva Carneiro; Raynara Kelly da Silva dos Santos

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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.

 

 

Keywords

education, environmental perception, microplastics, sentiment analysis

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