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A Review of the Current State of Microplastic Pollution in South Asian Countries
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This review surveys microplastic pollution across South Asian countries including India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam, and others. Researchers found microplastics present in water, soil, air, and food across the region, with levels often exceeding those in other parts of the world. The paper highlights the need for better monitoring and regulation in these densely populated countries where exposure may be especially high.
Microplastic contamination has become a concerning topic of study in recent decades. This review discusses the development of microplastic pollution based on a selection of South Asian countries consisting of Bangladesh, Iran, Philippines, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The condition of microplastic pollution related to the abundance of microplastic found in various environments as well as the presence of microplastics in food and the air, is covered in this review. Several reports found that drinking water sourced from taps was found to have about 83% of microplastic particles in the year 2017 based on results from 14 nations, and in the year 2018, 260 bodies of water for human consumption in 11 countries were found to have about 93% of microplastic particles. Micro debris pollution in seas and oceans worldwide is predicted to be at an amount of 236,000 metric tons based on a statistical report. A mean value of 30 micro debris per liter of glacier water was recovered from the top of Mount Everest, whereas about 2200 small particles per liter were discovered in the deep waters of the Mariana Trench. The main environments that are severely microplastic-contaminated are water-based places such as rivers, estuaries, and beaches. The presence of microplastics in food items, such as tea bags, sugar, shrimp paste, and salt packets, has been reported. In terms of impacts on the environment, microplastic contamination includes the ingestion of microplastics by aquatic creatures in water environments. The impacts on terrestrial environments relate to microplastics sinking into the soil, leading to the alteration of the physicochemical parameters of soil. Meanwhile, the impacts on the atmospheric environment include the settling of microplastics on the external bodies of animals and humans.
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This review examines the sources, pathways, and consequences of plastic pollution across South and Southeast Asia, covering soil, water, and air contamination. The study highlights that low-income countries in these regions face an unprecedented increase in both macro-plastic litter and micro- and nanoplastic pollution, and discusses sustainable solutions for addressing this growing environmental and public health challenge.
Micro Plastic Pollution in South Asia: The Impact of Plastic Pollution over the Unsustainable Development Goals
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This review examines microplastic pollution across South Asian countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, finding that rapid urbanization and poor plastic waste management are driving widespread contamination of freshwater, marine, and terrestrial ecosystems, with significant implications for sustainable development goals.
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This review surveys the current state of microplastic contamination across India, covering freshwater, marine, soil, and atmospheric environments. Researchers found that microplastics are widespread throughout the country, with particularly high concentrations near urban centers and coastal areas. The study calls for standardized monitoring methods and comprehensive policies to address India's growing microplastic pollution challenge.
Assessment of Microplastic Contamination in Coastal Waters of Southeast Asia: Implications for Marine Ecosystems and Human Health
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This review assessed microplastic contamination in coastal waters across Southeast Asia, synthesizing monitoring data to identify pollution hot spots, dominant polymer types, and the implications for regional marine ecosystem health.
An overview of the occurrence and distribution of microplastics in multi-environmental components of Bangladesh
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Researchers compiled and analyzed studies on microplastic pollution across multiple environments in Bangladesh, including water, soil, air, and food. They found that microplastic contamination is widespread throughout the country but that significant knowledge gaps remain, particularly regarding long-term health and environmental impacts. The study calls for standardized monitoring methods and stronger policies to address plastic pollution in one of the world's most densely populated nations.
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