Microplastics in the Environment: Much Ado about Nothing? A Debate

Global Challenges
Thomas Backhaus, Martin Wagner

Abstract

This article documents a debate between the two authors on the issue of microplastics in the environment. It is sparked by a viewpoint published by G. Allen Burton, who argues that the risk of microplastics is overrated. The authors have started debating this notion on Twitter, but the format has quickly turned out to be too cumbersome to exchange arguments. It is thus decided to continue the conversation by exchanging letters published as preprints in roughly four-week intervals. In these contributions, a broad range of relevant issues are touched upon, including the differences in risk conceptions, risk communication in the attention economy, risk assessment in situations of scientific uncertainty, the need to test proper hypotheses, the problem of prioritizing environmental issues, the costs of action and inaction, the application of the precautionary principle or a strictly evidence-based approach for policy-making and, eventually, larger issues related to the Anthropocene. In hindsight, it is felt that this debate is rewarding because it made possible expressing and reflecting on the values and opinions in ways otherwise impossible in social media and standard scientific articles.

References

Sep 12, 2003·Environmental Science & Technology·Nico M Van Straalen
Jan 9, 2007·Chemosphere·Martin Scheringer
Mar 31, 2015·Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management·Thomas Backhaus, Xenia Trier
Sep 4, 2015·Environmental Science & Technology·Chelsea M RochmanDiogo Veríssimo
Jul 7, 2016·Environmental Pollution·Lei SuHuahong Shi
Jun 15, 2017·Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management·Sabine E ApitzGlenn Suter
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Feb 6, 2018·The Science of the Total Environment·Sinja RistTherese M Karlsson
Mar 2, 2018·Environmental Science & Technology·Johanna KrammMartin Wagner
Mar 13, 2018·The Science of the Total Environment·Carolyn J FoleyTomas O Höök
Apr 7, 2018·Science·Chelsea M Rochman
Jun 16, 2018·Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management·Thomas BackhausZhanyun Wang

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Citations

Oct 23, 2020·Nature Communications·Denise M Mitrano, Wendel Wohlleben
May 1, 2021·Nature Nanotechnology·Denise M MitranoBernd Nowack
Aug 7, 2021·Environment International·Amy L LusherMarianne Olsen
Aug 20, 2021·Chemosphere·Ghada Tagorti, Bülent Kaya
Jul 10, 2019·Environmental Science & Technology·Delphine Kawecki, Bernd Nowack

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