The invisible story of microplastics: Journalism meets citizen science and peer review.

The article focuses on the investigation of microplastics contamination in global drinking water through a collaborative effort involving journalists, citizen scientists, and academic researchers. Initiated by the nonprofit news organization Orb Media, the project partnered with scientists such as Sherri Ann Mason and Mary Kosuth to collect and analyze tap water samples from five continents, revealing that 83% contained microplastic fibers. The findings, published alongside peer-reviewed research, spurred widespread media coverage, influenced new legislation, and prompted the World Health Organization to review potential health impacts. This work exemplifies the integration of journalism and science to raise awareness about environmental pollution and its implications for human health.