Occurrences, sources, fate and impacts of plastic on aquatic organisms and human health in global perspectives: What Bangladesh can do in future?

Environ Geochem Health. 2023 Aug;45(8):5531-5556. doi: 10.1007/s10653-023-01646-0. Epub 2023 Jun 29.

Abstract

Bangladesh is not an exception to the growing global environmental problem of plastic pollution. Plastics have been deemed a blessing for today's world thanks to their inexpensive production costs, low weight, toughness, and flexibility, but poor biodegradability and massive misuse of plastics are to blame for widespread contamination of the environmental components. Plastic as well as microplastic pollution and its adverse consequences have attracted significant investigative attention all over the world. Plastic pollution is a rising concern in Bangladesh, but scientific studies, data, and related information are very scarce in numerous areas of the plastic pollution problem. The current study examined the effects of plastic and microplastic pollution on the environment and human health, and it examined Bangladesh's existing knowledge of plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems in light of the rapidly expanding international research in this field. We also made an effort to investigate the current shortcomings in Bangladesh's assessment of plastic pollution. This study proposed several management approaches to the persistent plastic pollution problem by analyzing studies from industrialized and emerging countries. Finally, this work pushed investigators to investigate Bangladesh's plastic contamination thoroughly and develop guidelines and policies to address the issue.

Keywords: Aquatic ecosystems; Bangladesh; Environment; Microplastic pollution; Plastic pollution.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aquatic Organisms
  • Bangladesh
  • Ecosystem
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Humans
  • Microplastics
  • Plastics* / toxicity
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical* / analysis
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical* / toxicity

Substances

  • Plastics
  • Microplastics
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical