{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,12]],"date-time":"2026-10-12T05:46:13Z","timestamp":1791783973918,"version":"4.3.4"},"reference-count":126,"publisher":"SAGE Publications","issue":"5","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,25]],"date-time":"2026-06-25T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1782345600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0\/"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,25]],"date-time":"2026-06-25T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1782345600000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/page\/policies\/text-and-data-mining-license"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/100019180","name":"HORIZON EUROPE European Research Council","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["Grant Agreement 10105480"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["Grant Agreement 10105480"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/100019180","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["journals.sagepub.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Soc Stud Sci"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,10]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>How do emerging environmental phenomena become actionable amid scientific uncertainty and public urgency? This article argues that to understand how microplastics become governable, we must study classification as a central site where matters of fact, concern, and care are composed. Drawing on comparative assemblage ethnography across scientific conferences, public debates, and European regulatory processes, we trace how microplastics are enacted as epistemic, public, and regulatory objects. In scientific practice, object-centered classifications aim at rendering heterogeneous particles measurable and comparable. In public arenas, labeling condenses plurality into a recognizable and affectively charged issue. In regulatory contexts, source-centered and legally operational categories reorganize the phenomenon into governable segments. These are not translations of a stable object\u2014microplastics\u2014but distinct enactments shaped by different evidentiary standards and institutional constraints. The case shows that classification under conditions of ontological instability does not necessarily lead to closure but enables coordination. We show how governance materializes through classificatory infrastructures that stabilize relations between fact, concern, and care without resolving epistemic indeterminacy. Classification is a political technology through which environmental objects are rendered actionable in the absence of settled knowledge.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1177\/03063127261459465","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,26]],"date-time":"2026-06-26T03:05:18Z","timestamp":1782443118000},"page":"647-675","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/sage-journals-update-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Making Microplastics Matter: Classification, Politics and the Lives of Microplastics as Environmental Objects"],"prefix":"10.1177","volume":"56","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0008-5104-339X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Noah","family":"M\u00fcnster","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Science and Technology Studies, University of Vienna, Austria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7506-4234","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ulrike","family":"Felt","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Science and Technology Studies, University of Vienna, Austria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"179","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,25]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_3_4_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Abeysinghe S. (2013). When the spread of disease becomes a global event: The classification of pandemics. Social Studies of Science 43(6) 905\u2013926. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0306312713492559","DOI":"10.1177\/0306312713492559"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_3_1","unstructured":"Addelman B. Tong Z. (Directors). (2024). Plastic people documentary \u2013 The hidden crisis of microplastics [Video recording]. White Pine Pictures. https:\/\/plasticpeopledoc.com\/"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_4_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Andrady A. L. (2011). Microplastics in the marine environment. Marine Pollution Bulletin 62(8) 1596\u20131605. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.marpolbul.2011.05.030","DOI":"10.1016\/j.marpolbul.2011.05.030"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_5_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Backhaus T. Wagner M. (2018). Microplastics in the environment: Much ado about nothing? A debate. PeerJ Preprints 6 Article e26507v6. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.7287\/peerj.preprints.26507v6","DOI":"10.7287\/peerj.preprints.26507v2"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_6_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"353","DOI":"10.14361\/9783839440070-012","volume-title":"NaturenKulturen: Denkr\u00e4ume und Werkzeuge f\u00fcr neue politische \u00d6kologien [Naturecultures: Thinking spaces and tools for new political ecologies]","author":"Bergmann S.","year":"2019","unstructured":"Bergmann S. (2019). Schleimige Assoziationen im Meer \u2013 die Plastisph\u00e4re [Slimy associations in the sea \u2013 The plastisphere]. In Gesing F., Knecht M., Flitner M., Amelang K. (Eds.), NaturenKulturen: Denkr\u00e4ume und Werkzeuge f\u00fcr neue politische \u00d6kologien [Naturecultures: Thinking spaces and tools for new political ecologies] (pp. 353\u2013384). transcript."},{"key":"e_1_3_4_7_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4324\/9781003023319-17"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_8_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Berm\u00fadez J. R. Swarzenski P. W. (2021). A microplastic size classification scheme aligned with universal plankton survey methods. MethodsX 8 Article 101516. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.mex.2021.101516","DOI":"10.1016\/j.mex.2021.101516"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_9_1","volume-title":"BfR Consumer Monitor 06","author":"BfR","year":"2015","unstructured":"BfR. (2015). BfR Consumer Monitor 06. German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment."},{"key":"e_1_3_4_10_1","volume-title":"BfR Consumer Monitor 02","author":"BfR","year":"2023","unstructured":"BfR. (2023). BfR Consumer Monitor 02. German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment."},{"key":"e_1_3_4_11_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bos C. Walhout B. Peine A. van Lente H. (2014). Steering with big words: Articulating ideographs in research programs. Journal of Responsible Innovation 1(2) 151\u2013170. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/23299460.2014.922732","DOI":"10.1080\/23299460.2014.922732"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_12_1","volume-title":"Residues: Thinking through chemical environments","author":"Boudia S.","year":"2022","unstructured":"Boudia S., Creager A., Frickel S., Henry E., Jas N., Roberts J. (2022). Residues: Thinking through chemical environments. Rutgers University Press."},{"key":"e_1_3_4_13_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bowker G. C. Elyachar J. Kornberger M. Mennicken A. Miller P. Nucho J. R. Pollock N. (2019). Introduction to thinking infrastructures. In Kornberger M. Bowker G. C. Elyachar J. Mennicken A. Miller P. Nucho J. R. Pollock N. (Eds.) Research in the sociology of organizations (pp. 1\u201313). Emerald Publishing Limited. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1108\/S0733-558X20190000062001","DOI":"10.1108\/S0733-558X20190000062001"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_14_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.7551\/mitpress\/6352.001.0001"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_15_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Burton G. A. (2015). Losing sight of science in the regulatory push to ban microbeads from consumer products and industrial use. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management 11(3) 346\u2013347. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/ieam.1645","DOI":"10.1002\/ieam.1645"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_16_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Burton G. A. (2017). Stressor exposures determine risk: So why do fellow scientists continue to focus on superficial microplastics risk? Environmental Science & Technology 51(23) 13515\u201313516. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acs.est.7b05463","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.est.7b05463"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_17_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.7551\/mitpress\/8962.001.0001"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_18_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Carpenter E. J. Smith K. L. (1972). Plastics on the Sargasso Sea surface. Science 175(4027) 1240\u20131241. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1126\/science.175.4027.1240","DOI":"10.1126\/science.175.4027.1240"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_19_1","unstructured":"Carrington D. (2026 January 13). \u2018A bombshell\u2019: Doubt cast on discovery of microplastics throughout human body. The Guardian. https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/2026\/jan\/13\/microplastics-human-body-doubt"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_20_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Chae B. Oh S. Lee D. G. (2023). Is 5 mm still a good upper size boundary for microplastics in aquatic environments? Perspectives on size distribution and toxicological effects. Marine Pollution Bulletin 196 Article 115591. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.marpolbul.2023.115591","DOI":"10.1016\/j.marpolbul.2023.115591"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_21_1","first-page":"199","volume-title":"Histories of the dustheap: Waste, material cultures, social justice","author":"Clapp J.","year":"2012","unstructured":"Clapp J. (2012). The rising tide against plastic waste: Unpacking industry attempts to influence the debate. In Stephanie F., Elizabeth M. (Eds.), Histories of the dustheap: Waste, material cultures, social justice (pp. 199\u2013226). MIT Press."},{"key":"e_1_3_4_22_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1515\/9781400863136"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_23_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Cole M. Lindeque P. Halsband C. Galloway T. S. (2011). Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment: A review. Marine Pollution Bulletin 62(12) 2588\u20132597. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.marpolbul.2011.09.025","DOI":"10.1016\/j.marpolbul.2011.09.025"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_24_1","volume-title":"Proceedings of the international research workshop on the occurrence, effects, and fate of microplastic marine debris","author":"Courtney A.","year":"2009","unstructured":"Courtney A., Baker J., Bamford H. (Eds.). (2009). Proceedings of the international research workshop on the occurrence, effects, and fate of microplastic marine debris (No. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-OR&R-30). NOAA Marine Debris Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration."},{"key":"e_1_3_4_25_1","volume-title":"Biographies of scientific objects","author":"Daston L.","year":"2000","unstructured":"Daston L. (Ed.). (2000). Biographies of scientific objects. University of Chicago Press."},{"key":"e_1_3_4_26_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Dauvergne P. (2018). The power of environmental norms: Marine plastic pollution and the politics of microbeads. Environmental Politics 27(4) 579\u2013597. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/09644016.2018.1449090","DOI":"10.1080\/09644016.2018.1449090"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_27_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"de Ruijter V. N. Redondo-Hasselerharm P. E. Gouin T. Koelmans A. A. (2020). Quality criteria for microplastic effect studies in the context of risk assessment: A critical review. Environmental Science & Technology 54(19) 11692\u201311705. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acs.est.0c03057","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.est.0c03057"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_28_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"de Souza Machado A. A. Kloas W. Zarfl C. Hempel S. Rillig M. C. (2018). Microplastics as an emerging threat to terrestrial ecosystems. Global Change Biology 24(4) 1405\u20131416. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/gcb.14020","DOI":"10.1111\/gcb.14020"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_29_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1515\/9781474413640"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_30_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.28938\/9780993144950"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_31_1","unstructured":"EC. (2017). Attitudes of European citizens towards the environment (Special Eurobarometer 468). European Commission. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2779\/84809"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_32_1","unstructured":"EC. (2018). A European strategy for plastics in a circular economy. COM(2018) 28 final. European Commission. https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/resource.html?uri=cellar:2df5d1d2-fac7-11e7-b8f5-01aa75ed71a1.0001.02\/DOC_1&format=PDF"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_33_1","unstructured":"EC. (2021). EU action plan: \u2018Towards zero pollution for air water and soil\u2019. COM(2021) 400 final. European Commission. https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/legal-content\/EN\/TXT\/?uri=CELEX%3A52021DC0400&qid=1623311742827"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_34_1","unstructured":"EC. (2023). Commission Regulation (EU) 2023\/2055 of 25 September 2023 amending Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907\/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Registration Evaluation Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) as regards synthetic polymer microparticles. European Commission. https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/eli\/reg\/2023\/2055\/oj\/eng"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_35_1","unstructured":"El Hadri H. Al Wasif Ruiz T. Putaud J. Barrero J. (2024). Micro- and nanoplastics in the air: Sources transport & analytical methods for their determination (No. JRC135818). European Commission Joint Research Centre Publications Office of the European Union. https:\/\/data.europa.eu\/doi\/10.2760\/028991"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_36_1","unstructured":"European Food Safety Authority. (2019). Food safety in the EU (EB91.3; Special Eurobarometer). European Commission. https:\/\/data.europa.eu\/doi\/10.2805\/661752"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_37_1","unstructured":"European Food Safety Authority. (2022). Food safety in the EU (EB97.2; Special Eurobarometer). European Commission. https:\/\/data.europa.eu\/doi\/10.2805\/729388"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_38_1","unstructured":"European Food Safety Authority. (2025). Food safety in the EU (EB103.3; Special Eurobarometer). European Commission. https:\/\/data.europa.eu\/doi\/10.2805\/7315555"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_39_1","unstructured":"Felt U. (2021). Innovation residues: Modes and infrastructures of caring for our Longue-dur\u00e9e environmental futures [ERC Advanced Grant Application]. http:\/\/www.innovation-residues.eu"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_40_1","unstructured":"Felt U. (2025). Residues that matter: Why innovation societies need to rethink their response-ability. Proceedings of the Paris Institute for Advanced Study 21 1\u201347. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5281\/zenodo.15827925"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_41_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Felt U. M\u00fcnster N. (2026). Navigating regulatory complexities: Challenges and shifting problem framings in turning microplastics into a European policy object. Cambridge Prisms: Plastics 4 Article e10. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1017\/plc.2026.10048","DOI":"10.1017\/plc.2026.10048"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_42_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Frias J. P. G. L. Nash R. (2019). Microplastics: Finding a consensus on the definition. Marine Pollution Bulletin 138 145\u2013147. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.marpolbul.2018.11.022","DOI":"10.1016\/j.marpolbul.2018.11.022"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_43_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fu M. Yang K. Fujigaki Y. (2023). Introducing an \u2018invisible enemy\u2019: A case study of knowledge construction regarding microplastics in Japanese Wikipedia. New Media & Society 26(10) 1\u201322. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/14614448221149747","DOI":"10.1177\/14614448221149747"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_44_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gabrys J. Hawkins G. Michael M. (Eds.). (2013). Accumulation: The material politics of plastic. Routledge. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4324\/9780203070215","DOI":"10.4324\/9780203070215"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_45_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gan Q. Cui J. Jin B. (2023). Environmental microplastics: Classification sources fates and effects on plants. Chemosphere 313 Article 137559. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.chemosphere.2022.137559","DOI":"10.1016\/j.chemosphere.2022.137559"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_46_1","unstructured":"GESAMP. (2015). Sources fate and effects of microplastics in the marine environment: A global assessment (Kershaw P. J. Ed. 96 p). GESAMP Report and Studies No. 90. IMO\/FAO\/UNESCO-IOC\/UNIDO\/WMO\/IAEA\/UN\/UNEP\/UNDP Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection. http:\/\/www.gesamp.org\/publications\/reports-and-studies-no-90"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_47_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ghoddousi P. Page S. (2020). Using ethnography and assemblage theory in political geography. Geography Compass 14(10) 1\u201313. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/gec3.12533","DOI":"10.1111\/gec3.12533"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_48_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ghosh S. Sinha J. K. Ghosh S. Vashisth K. Han S. Bhaskar R. (2023). Microplastics as an emerging threat to the global environment and human health. Sustainability 15(14). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/su151410821","DOI":"10.3390\/su151410821"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_49_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gigault J. Halle A. T. Baudrimont M. Pascal P.-Y. Gauffre F. Phi T.-L. El Hadri H. Grassl B. Reynaud S. (2018). Current opinion: What is a nanoplastic? Environmental Pollution 235 1030\u20131034. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.envpol.2018.01.024","DOI":"10.1016\/j.envpol.2018.01.024"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_50_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gregory M. R. (1983). Virgin plastic granules on some beaches of Eastern Canada and Bermuda. Marine Environmental Research 10(2) 73\u201392. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/0141-1136(83)90011-9","DOI":"10.1016\/0141-1136(83)90011-9"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_51_1","volume-title":"The social construction of what?","author":"Hacking I.","year":"1999","unstructured":"Hacking I. (1999). The social construction of what? Harvard University Press."},{"key":"e_1_3_4_52_1","volume-title":"Investigating options for reducing releases in the aquatic environment of microplastics emitted by (but not intentionally added in) products","author":"Hann S.","year":"2018","unstructured":"Hann S., Sherrington C., Jamieson O., Hickman M., Kershaw P., Bapasola A., Cole G. (2018). Investigating options for reducing releases in the aquatic environment of microplastics emitted by (but not intentionally added in) products. Eunomia Research & Consulting Ltd on behalf of the European Commission (DG Environment)."},{"key":"e_1_3_4_53_1","volume-title":"Partikel: \u00dcberall. Unsichtbar. T\u00f6dlich [Particles: Everywhere. Invisible. Deadly]","author":"Harlander W.","year":"2024","unstructured":"Harlander W. (2024). Partikel: \u00dcberall. Unsichtbar. T\u00f6dlich [Particles: Everywhere. Invisible. Deadly]. Rowohlt Taschenbuch."},{"key":"e_1_3_4_54_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hartmann N. B. H\u00fcffer T. Thompson R. C. Hassell\u00f6v M. Verschoor A. Daugaard A. E. Rist S. Karlsson T. Brennholt N. Cole M. Herrling M. P. Hess M. C. Ivleva N. P. Lusher A. L. Wagner M. (2019). Are we speaking the same language? Recommendations for a definition and categorization framework for plastic debris. Environmental Science & Technology 53(3) 1039\u20131047. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acs.est.8b05297","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.est.8b05297"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_55_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Helm P. A. (2017). Improving microplastics source apportionment: A role for microplastic morphology and taxonomy? Analytical Methods 9(9) 1328\u20131331. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1039\/C7AY90016C","DOI":"10.1039\/C7AY90016C"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_56_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hidalgo-Ruz V. Gutow L. Thompson R. C. Thiel M. (2012). Microplastics in the marine environment: A review of the methods used for identification and quantification. Environmental Science & Technology 46(6) 3060\u20133075. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/es2031505","DOI":"10.1021\/es2031505"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_57_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4324\/9780203413845"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_58_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kadac-Czapska K. Trzebiatowska P. J. Knez E. Zaleska-Medynska A. Grembecka M. (2023). Microplastics in food\u2014A critical approach to definition sample preparation and characterisation. Food Chemistry 418 Article 135985. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.foodchem.2023.135985","DOI":"10.1016\/j.foodchem.2023.135985"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_59_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Klein U. (2005). Shifting ontologies changing classifications: Plant materials from 1700 to 1830. Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A 36(2) 261\u2013329. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.shpsa.2005.03.003","DOI":"10.1016\/j.shpsa.2005.03.003"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_60_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.forpol.2023.103034"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_61_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Koelmans A. A. Besseling E. Foekema E. Kooi M. Mintenig S. Ossendorp B. C. Redondo-Hasselerharm P. E. Verschoor A. Van Wezel A. P. Scheffer M. (2017). Risks of plastic debris: Unravelling fact opinion perception and belief. Environmental Science & Technology 51(20) 11513\u201311519. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acs.est.7b02219","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.est.7b02219"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_62_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Koelmans A. A. Besseling E. Shim W. J. (2015). Nanoplastics in the aquatic environment. Critical review. In Bergmann M. Gutow L. Klages M. (Eds.) Marine anthropogenic litter (pp. 325\u2013340). Springer. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/978-3-319-16510-3_12","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-319-16510-3_12"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_63_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Koelmans A. A. Mohamed Nor N. H. Hermsen E. Kooi M. Mintenig S. M. De France J. (2019). Microplastics in freshwaters and drinking water: Critical review and assessment of data quality. Water Research 155 410\u2013422. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.watres.2019.02.054","DOI":"10.1016\/j.watres.2019.02.054"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_64_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kramm J. (2023). Agential cuts of regulatory science practices \u2013 The case of microplastics. Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space 7(3) 1\u201317. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/25148486231221020","DOI":"10.1177\/25148486231221020"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_65_1","unstructured":"Langer A. (2024 May 13). Kampf gegen Mikroplastik: Kl\u00e4rschlamm muss ab 2033 verbrannt werden [The fight against microplastics: Sewage sludge must be incinerated from 2033]. MeinBezirk.at. https:\/\/www.meinbezirk.at\/c-politik\/klaerschlamm-muss-ab-2033-verbrannt-werden_a6689483"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_66_1","first-page":"19","volume-title":"Representation in scientific practice","author":"Latour B.","year":"1990","unstructured":"Latour B. (1990). Drawing things together. In Lynch M., Woolgar S. (Eds.), Representation in scientific practice (pp. 19\u201396). MIT Press."},{"key":"e_1_3_4_67_1","volume-title":"Pandora\u2019s hope: Essays on the reality of science studies","author":"Latour B.","year":"1999","unstructured":"Latour B. (1999). Pandora\u2019s hope: Essays on the reality of science studies. Harvard University Press."},{"key":"e_1_3_4_68_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Latour B. (2004). Why has critique run out of steam? From matters of fact to matters of concern. Critical Inquiry 30(2) 225\u2013248. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2307\/1344358","DOI":"10.1086\/421123"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_69_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/oso\/9780199256044.001.0001"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_70_1","volume-title":"Laboratory life: The construction of scientific facts","author":"Latour B.","year":"1979","unstructured":"Latour B., Woolgar S. (1979). Laboratory life: The construction of scientific facts. Sage."},{"key":"e_1_3_4_71_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1017\/S1867299X00001641"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_72_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Laurent B. (2017). Democratic experiments: Problematizing nanotechnology and democracy in Europe and the United States. MIT Press. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.7551\/mitpress\/10580.001.0001","DOI":"10.7551\/mitpress\/10580.001.0001"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_73_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Laurent B. (2022). European objects: The troubled dreams of harmonization. MIT Press. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.7551\/mitpress\/13781.001.0001","DOI":"10.7551\/mitpress\/13781.001.0001"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_74_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Law J. (1992). Notes on the theory of the actor-network: Ordering strategy and heterogeneity. Systems Practice 5(4) 379\u2013393. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/BF01059830","DOI":"10.1007\/BF01059830"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_75_1","volume-title":"Organizing modernity","author":"Law J.","year":"1994","unstructured":"Law J. (1994). Organizing modernity. Blackwell."},{"key":"e_1_3_4_76_1","unstructured":"Liboiron M. (2012). Redifining pollution: Plastics in the wild [PhD Thesis New York University]. https:\/\/media.proquest.com\/media\/hms\/ORIG\/2\/EcsnH?_s=k3u01xhzAw2S3iBuLMuCIfPKxxE%3D"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_77_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Liboiron M. (2016). Redefining pollution and action: The matter of plastics. Journal of Material Culture 21(1) 87\u2013110. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/1359183515622966","DOI":"10.1177\/1359183515622966"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_78_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Liu J. Yang Y. Ding J. Zhu B. Gao W. (2019). Microfibers: A preliminary discussion on their definition and sources. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 26(28) 29497\u201329501. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s11356-019-06265-w","DOI":"10.1007\/s11356-019-06265-w"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_79_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mah A. (2021). Future-proofing capitalism: The paradox of the circular economy for plastics. Global Environmental Politics 21(2) 121\u2013142. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1162\/glep_a_00594","DOI":"10.1162\/glep_a_00594"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_80_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Materi\u0107 D. (2024). Nanoplastics measurements must have appropriate blanks. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 121(48) e2411099121. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1073\/pnas.2411099121","DOI":"10.1073\/pnas.2411099121"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_81_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mennicken A. Espeland W. N. (2019). What\u2019s new with numbers? Sociological approaches to the study of quantification. Annual Review of Sociology 45 223\u2013245. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1146\/annurev-soc-073117-041343","DOI":"10.1146\/annurev-soc-073117-041343"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_82_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Messeri L. R. (2010). The problem with Pluto: Conflicting cosmologies and the classification of planets. Social Studies of Science 40(2) 187\u2013214. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0306312709347809","DOI":"10.1177\/0306312709347809"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_83_1","volume-title":"Guidelines for harmonizing ocean surface microplastic monitoring methods","author":"Michida Y.","year":"2019","unstructured":"Michida Y., Chavanich S., Chiba S., Cordova M. R., C\u00f3zar Caba\u00f1as A., Galgani F., Hagmann P., Hinata H., Isobe A., Kershaw P., Kozlovskii N., Li D., Lusher A. L., Mart\u00ed E., Mason S. A., Mu J., Saito H., Shim W. J., Syakti A. D., \u2026 Wang J. (2019). Guidelines for harmonizing ocean surface microplastic monitoring methods. Ministry of the Environment Japan."},{"key":"e_1_3_4_84_1","first-page":"52","volume-title":"The social life of nanotechnology","author":"Mody C. C. M.","year":"2012","unstructured":"Mody C. C. M. (2012). Conferences and the emergence of nanoscience. In Harthorn B., Mohr J. (Eds.), The social life of nanotechnology (pp. 52\u201365). Routledge."},{"key":"e_1_3_4_85_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Monikh F. A. Materi\u0107 D. Valsami-Jones E. Grossart H.-P. Altmann K. Holzinger R. Lynch I. Stubenrauch J. Peijnenburg W. (2025). Challenges in studying microplastics in human brain. Nature Medicine 31(12) 4034\u20134035. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41591-025-04045-3","DOI":"10.1038\/s41591-025-04045-3"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_86_1","unstructured":"MSFD Technical Group on Marine Litter. (2023). Guidance on the monitoring of marine litter in European seas \u2013 An update to improve the harmonised monitoring of marine litter under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Publications Office of the European Union. https:\/\/data.europa.eu\/doi\/10.2760\/59137"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_87_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1215\/9780822387831"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_88_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Nardi A. Pittura L. d\u2019Errico G. Cesaroni D. Mongera F. Gorbi S. Benedetti M. Regoli F. (2024). Cellular effects of microplastics are influenced by their dimension: Mechanistic relationships and integrated criteria for particles definition. Environmental Pollution 344 Article 123327. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.envpol.2024.123327","DOI":"10.1016\/j.envpol.2024.123327"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_89_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Nyadjro E. S. Webster J. A. B. Boyer T. P. Cebrian J. Collazo L. Kaltenberger G. Larsen K. Lau Y. H. Mickle P. Toft T. Wang Z. (2023). The NOAA NCEI marine microplastics database. Scientific Data 10 Article 726. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41597-023-02632-y","DOI":"10.1038\/s41597-023-02632-y"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_90_1","volume-title":"Global assemblages: Technology, politics, and ethics as anthropological problems","author":"Ong A.","year":"2005","unstructured":"Ong A., Collier S. J. (2005). Global assemblages: Technology, politics, and ethics as anthropological problems. Blackwell."},{"key":"e_1_3_4_91_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Pelizza A. Van Rossem W. R. (2024). Scripts of alterity: Mapping assumptions and limitations of the border security apparatus through classification schemas. Science Technology & Human Values 49(4) 794\u2013826. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/01622439231195955","DOI":"10.1177\/01622439231195955"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_92_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Phillips C. (2017). Discerning ocean plastics: Activist scientific and artistic practices. Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space 49(5) 1146\u20131162. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0308518X16687301","DOI":"10.1177\/0308518X16687301"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_93_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Poirier L. (2019). Classification as catachresis: Double binds of representing difference with semiotic infrastructure. Canadian Journal of Communication 44(3) 361\u2013371. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.22230\/cjc.2019v44n3a3455","DOI":"10.22230\/cjc.2019v44n3a3455"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_94_1","unstructured":"Prabhakar M. (2019 November 14). European ban on microplastics must be stricter. Beat the Microbead. https:\/\/www.beatthemicrobead.org\/european-ban-on-microplastics-must-be-stricter\/"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_95_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Puig de la Bellacasa M. (2011). Matters of care in technoscience: Assembling neglected things. Social Studies of Science 41(1) 85\u2013106. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0306312710380301","DOI":"10.1177\/0306312710380301"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_96_1","volume-title":"Toward a history of epistemic things: Synthesizing proteins in the test tube","author":"Rheinberger H.-J.","year":"1997","unstructured":"Rheinberger H.-J. (1997). Toward a history of epistemic things: Synthesizing proteins in the test tube. Stanford University Press."},{"key":"e_1_3_4_97_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Rochman C. M. Brookson C. Bikker J. Djuric N. Earn A. Bucci K. Athey S. Huntington A. McIlwraith H. Munno K. De Frond H. Kolomijeca A. Erdle L. Grbic J. Bayoumi M. Borrelle S. B. Wu T. Santoro S. Werbowski L. M. \u2026 Hung C. (2019). Rethinking microplastics as a diverse contaminant suite. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 38(4) 703\u2013711. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/etc.4371","DOI":"10.1002\/etc.4371"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_98_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Roth W.-M. (2005). Making classifications (at) work: Ordering practices in science. Social Studies of Science 35(4) 581\u2013621. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0306312705052102","DOI":"10.1177\/0306312705052102"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_99_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ryan P. G. (2015). A brief history of marine litter research. In Bergmann M. Gutow L. Klages M. (Eds.) Marine anthropogenic litter (pp. 1\u201325). Springer. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/978-3-319-16510-3_1","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-319-16510-3_1"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_100_1","unstructured":"SAPEA. (2019). A scientific perspective on microplastics in nature and society. Science Advice for Policy by European Academies. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.26356\/microplastics"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_101_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Schmid C. Cozzarini L. Zambello E. (2021). Microplastic\u2019s story. Marine Pollution Bulletin 162 Article 111820. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.marpolbul.2020.111820","DOI":"10.1016\/j.marpolbul.2020.111820"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_102_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Scholte S. J. Yaqub O. (2025). Making modafinil: Classification and serendipity in drug development. Social Studies of Science 55(6) 842\u2013861. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/03063127251322113","DOI":"10.1177\/03063127251322113"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_103_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sch\u00f6nbauer S. M\u00fcller R. (2021). A risky object? How microplastics are represented in the German Media. Science Communication 43(5) 543\u2013569. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/10755470211030519","DOI":"10.1177\/10755470211030519"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_104_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Scott G. (1972). Plastics packaging and coastal pollution. International Journal of Environmental Studies 3(1\u20134) 35\u201336. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/00207237208709489","DOI":"10.1080\/00207237208709489"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_105_1","volume-title":"Intentionally added microplastics in products","author":"Scudo A.","year":"2017","unstructured":"Scudo A., Liebmann B., Corden C., Tyrer D., Kreissig J., Warwick O. (2017). Intentionally added microplastics in products. Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure UK Limited on behalf of the European Commission (DG Environment)."},{"key":"e_1_3_4_106_1","unstructured":"Shum H. C. (R). (2025). Caring for microplastics: A multi-sited laboratory ethnography [PhD thesis University of Exeter]. https:\/\/ore.exeter.ac.uk\/articles\/thesis\/Caring_for_microplastics_a_multi-sited_laboratory_ethnography\/29813333\/1"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_107_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Silvast A. Virtanen M. J. (2019). An assemblage of framings and tamings: Multi-sited analysis of infrastructures as a methodology. Journal of Cultural Economy 12(6) 461\u2013477. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/17530350.2019.1646156","DOI":"10.1080\/17530350.2019.1646156"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_108_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2307\/jj.41379750"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_109_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sommerlund J. (2006). Classifying microorganisms: The multiplicity of classifications and research practices in molecular microbial ecology. Social Studies of Science 36(6) 909\u2013928. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0306312706063029","DOI":"10.1177\/0306312706063029"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_110_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Stafford R. Jones P. J. S. (2019). Viewpoint \u2013 Ocean plastic pollution: A convenient but distracting truth? Marine Policy 103 187\u2013191. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.marpol.2019.02.003","DOI":"10.1016\/j.marpol.2019.02.003"},{"issue":"3","key":"e_1_3_4_111_1","first-page":"195","article-title":"How things (actor-net) work: Classification, magic and the ubiquity of standards","volume":"25","author":"Star S. L.","year":"1996","unstructured":"Star S. L., Bowker G. (1996). How things (actor-net) work: Classification, magic and the ubiquity of standards. Philosophia, 25(3\u20134), 195\u2013220.","journal-title":"Philosophia"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_112_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/030631289019003001"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_113_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Swanson H. A. Bubandt N. Tsing A. (2015). Less than one but more than many: Anthropocene as science fiction and scholarship-in-the-making. Environment and Society 6(1) 149\u2013166. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3167\/ares.2015.060109","DOI":"10.3167\/ares.2015.060109"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_114_1","volume-title":"The search for the ultimate sink: Urban pollution in historical perspective","author":"Tarr J. A.","year":"1996","unstructured":"Tarr J. A. (1996). The search for the ultimate sink: Urban pollution in historical perspective (1st ed.). University of Akron Press.","edition":"1"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_115_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-319-16510-3_7"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_116_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Thompson R. C. Courtene-Jones W. Boucher J. Pahl S. Raubenheimer K. Koelmans A. A. (2024). Twenty years of microplastics pollution research\u2014What have we learned? Science 386(395) 1\u201312. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1126\/science.adl2746","DOI":"10.1126\/science.adl2746"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_117_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Thompson R. C. Olsen Y. Mitchell R. P. Davis A. Rowland S. J. John A. W. G. McGonigle D. Russell A. E. (2004). Lost at sea: Where is all the plastic? Science 304(5672) 838\u2013838. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1126\/science.1094559","DOI":"10.1126\/science.1094559"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_118_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Timmermans S. Epstein S. (2010). A world of standards but not a standard world: Toward a sociology of standards and standardization. Annual Review of Sociology 36 69\u201389. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1146\/annurev.soc.012809.102629","DOI":"10.1146\/annurev.soc.012809.102629"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_119_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Van Cauwenberghe L. Devriese L. Galgani F. Robbens J. Janssen C. R. (2015). Microplastics in sediments: A review of techniques occurrence and effects. Marine Environmental Research 111 5\u201317. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.marenvres.2015.06.007","DOI":"10.1016\/j.marenvres.2015.06.007"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_120_1","volume-title":"Policy informing brief: Analysis on the link between microplastics, the environment and public health","author":"Vercauteren M.","year":"2023","unstructured":"Vercauteren M., Janssen C., Asselmann J., Zhang T. (2023). Policy informing brief: Analysis on the link between microplastics, the environment and public health. Ghent University."},{"key":"e_1_3_4_121_1","volume-title":"Towards a definition of microplastics: Considerations for the specification of physico-chemical properties","author":"Verschoor A.","year":"2015","unstructured":"Verschoor A. (2015). Towards a definition of microplastics: Considerations for the specification of physico-chemical properties (RIVM Letter report 2015-0116). National Institute for Public Health and the Environment."},{"key":"e_1_3_4_122_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"V\u00f6lker C. Kramm J. Wagner M. (2020). On the creation of risk: Framing of microplastics risks in science and media. Global Challenges 4 Article 1900010. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/gch2.201900010","DOI":"10.1002\/gch2.201900010"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_123_1","unstructured":"Wahlberg A. (2022). Assemblage ethnography: Configurations across scales sites and practices. In Bruun M. H. Wahlberg A. Douglas-Jones R. Hasse C. Hoeyer K. Kristensen D. B. Winthereik B. R. (Eds.) The Palgrave handbook of the anthropology of technology (pp. 125\u2013145). Springer. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/978-981-16-7084-8"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_124_1","unstructured":"WHO. (2022). Dietary and inhalation exposure to nano- and microplastic particles and potential implications for human health. https:\/\/iris.who.int\/bitstream\/handle\/10665\/362049\/9789240054608-eng.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_125_1","unstructured":"Wray J. (2018). Microplastics: The plastics industry\u2019s verdict. https:\/\/www.cosmeticsbusiness.com\/news\/article_page\/Microplastics_The_plastics_industrys_verdict\/147984"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_126_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Zerubavel E. (2015). Hidden in plain sight: The social structure of irrelevance. Oxford University Press. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/acprof:oso\/9780199366606.001.0001","DOI":"10.1093\/acprof:oso\/9780199366606.001.0001"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_127_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ziani K. Ioni\u021b\u0103-M\u00eendrican C.-B. Mititelu M. Neac\u0219u S. M. Negrei C. Moro\u0219an E. Dr\u0103g\u0103nescu D. Preda O.-T. (2023). Microplastics: A real global threat for environment and food safety: A State of the Art review. Nutrients 15(3) 617. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/nu15030617","DOI":"10.3390\/nu15030617"}],"container-title":["Social Studies of Science"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/03063127261459465","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1177\/03063127261459465","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/03063127261459465","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,12]],"date-time":"2026-10-12T05:25:56Z","timestamp":1791782756000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/10.1177\/03063127261459465"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,25]]},"references-count":126,"journal-issue":{"issue":"5","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,10]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1177\/03063127261459465"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/03063127261459465","relation":{},"ISSN":["0306-3127","1460-3659"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0306-3127","type":"print"},{"value":"1460-3659","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,25]]}}}