Greater willingness to reduce microplastics consumption in Mexico than in Spain supports the importance of legislation on the use of plastics.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Microplastics (MP) threaten all organisms worldwide. MP are produced directly as microbeads in cosmetics and hygiene products, or indirectly from breakage of larger plastics. The control of MP requires consumers' engagement to refuse products containing microbeads.

Methods

We conducted a survey on 572 university students from Mexico and Spain, two countries where microbeads are not banned yet. More strict laws for plastic control areenforced in Mexico than in Spain.

Results

Controlling for age and education, despite knowing less about MP, Mexicans checked for microbeads on product labels more frequently than Spaniards, and desired to reduce MP consumption more. A stronger correlation between individual awareness and willingness of MP control was found for

SUBMITTER: Garcia-Vazquez E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9875725 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature