Papers

Assessment of microplastic contamination in shrimps from the Bay of Bengal and associated human health risk

Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in seven shrimp species from the Bay of Bengal and found plastic particles in every species tested, with most particles smaller than 100 micrometers. The study calculated that women in Bangladesh face a higher health risk than men from eating contaminated shrimp, highlighting how seafood can be a direct pathway for microplastic exposure in human diets.

Emerging contaminants and their potential impacts on estuarine ecosystems: Are we aware of it?

This review examines the growing list of emerging contaminants found in estuaries -- where rivers meet the ocean -- including microplastics, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and antibiotic resistance genes. These pollutants can enter the food chain through contaminated seafood and water. The authors highlight that the combined effects of multiple contaminants are poorly understood, and the full scope of health risks from these complex chemical mixtures remains unclear.

RETRACTED: Characterization of microplastic pollution in the Pasur river of the Sundarbans ecosystem (Bangladesh) with emphasis on water, sediments, and fish

This retracted study characterized microplastic pollution in the Pasur River of Bangladesh's Sundarbans, finding plastic particles in 100% of water, sediment, and fish samples analyzed. Microplastics were found in both the digestive tracts and muscle tissue of nine fish species, with some species accumulating high levels in the edible flesh. Note: this paper has been retracted, so its findings should be treated with caution.

Effects of microplastics polluted soil on the growth of Solanum lycopersicum L.

This study tested how microplastic-contaminated soil affects tomato plant growth, finding that higher concentrations of plastic particles in soil reduced plant height, root development, and overall crop health. The results suggest that microplastic pollution in farmland could reduce food crop yields and potentially affect the quality of the produce we eat.

Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in major urban lakes of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Researchers measured microplastic contamination in three major urban lakes in Dhaka, Bangladesh, finding plastic particles in the water, sediment, and fish at all sites. The dominant plastics were common consumer types like polyethylene and PVC, with sizes mostly under 100 micrometers. Since these lakes are in a densely populated urban area, the findings raise concerns about microplastic exposure for the local population through both water and fish consumption.

Tracking of microplastics distribution patterns and their characterisation in deposited road dust from Dhaka city, Bangladesh

Researchers measured microplastic contamination in road dust across Dhaka, Bangladesh, finding thousands of particles per kilogram in samples from different road types and locations. Larger dust particles contained more microplastics, with fibers and fragments being the most common shapes, primarily made of polyethylene and polystyrene. Since road dust is kicked up into the air by traffic, these microplastics can be inhaled by pedestrians and residents, creating a direct exposure pathway for human health.

Organ-specific bioaccumulation of microplastics in market fish of Dhaka and size-dependent impacts of PVC microplastics on growth of Anabus testudineus

This study found microplastics in multiple organs of commercially sold fish from Dhaka, Bangladesh, with kidneys accumulating the highest concentrations. In controlled experiments, larger PVC microplastics caused more physical deformities and intestinal injuries in fish than smaller ones. Since these are commonly consumed fish species, the findings raise concerns about human exposure to microplastics through the seafood supply.

Microplastics in waste management systems: An invisible threat to environmental and public health

Microplastics in Commercial Fish Feed in Bangladesh: An Emergent Risk Factor for Aquaculture

Researchers analyzed 21 commercial fish feed samples from Bangladesh and found microplastics present in all of them, with fibers being the most prevalent form across all feed grades. The contamination levels varied between brands and grades, suggesting inconsistent quality control in feed manufacturing. The findings indicate that commercial fish feed is an overlooked pathway through which microplastics enter aquaculture systems and potentially the human food chain.

Distribution and health impacts of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in human organs: Accumulation, translocation, and toxicity – A systematic review of current evidence

This systematic review summarizes evidence on where micro- and nanoplastics accumulate in the human body. Researchers found these particles in stool, blood, lungs, placenta, and arterial plaques, with polyethylene and polystyrene being the most common types. The findings suggest microplastics can travel through the body and may contribute to inflammation and cardiovascular risk.

Evaluating the sources of microplastic contamination and quantifying its abundance in the Balu River, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Researchers investigated the sources and abundance of microplastic contamination in the Balu River in Dhaka, Bangladesh. They found that textile and industrial waste were major contributors to microplastic pollution, with fibers being the most common type detected in surface water samples. The study provides baseline data on river microplastic contamination in a densely populated urban area and calls for better waste management practices.

RETRACTED: >Microplastics in different fish and shellfish species in the mangrove estuary of Bangladesh and evaluation of human exposure

This retracted study investigated microplastic abundance in twenty fish and shellfish species from the Sundarbans mangrove estuary in Bangladesh. Researchers found microplastics in all samples, with bottom-feeding species showing the highest contamination levels, and estimated that the average person in Bangladesh may ingest over 85,000 microplastic particles per year through seafood consumption. The dominant polymer types identified were polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyamide.

Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in the landfill leachate of Amin Bazar, Dhaka: A potential risk to aquatic environments

Microplastic Occurrences in Freshwater Fish of Bangladesh

This review synthesizes research on microplastic contamination found in freshwater fish across Bangladesh, where rapid population growth and urbanization have led to significant plastic pollution. Researchers found that fibers are the most commonly detected microplastic type in fish tissues, raising concerns about impacts on gut health and immune function. The study highlights the need for more comprehensive monitoring given Bangladesh's heavy reliance on freshwater fish as a dietary staple.

Are we eating microplastics with our staple food? A pioneering study of microplastic contamination in store-bought rice and cooked rice in Bangladesh

In the first study of its kind in Bangladesh, researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in 15 commonly consumed store-bought rice varieties in both raw and cooked forms. The study found microplastics present in rice samples and estimated potential human exposure through this staple food, highlighting a previously overlooked dietary source of microplastic intake.

The hidden threat of microplastics in urban freshwater ecosystem: A comprehensive review

Pervasiveness and classification of microplastics in Landfill Leachate: Impacts, risks, and treatment efficiency

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination from the Matuail landfill in Bangladesh, finding that leachate discharged approximately 350 million particles per hour into surrounding water. Surface water and groundwater near the landfill contained even higher microplastic concentrations than the leachate itself, with fibers and fragments of polyethylene and polypropylene dominating. The study found that the existing leachate treatment facility was inefficient at removing microplastics, posing high ecological risk to surrounding water sources.

Microplastics pollution: A comprehensive review on the sources, fates, effects, and potential remediation

Do we unknowingly eat breakfast that contains microplastics? Unveiling the microplastic contamination in commercial flour

Microplastics in Air and Their Health Hazard

A Comprehensive Review on Environmental Migration, Physicochemical Transformations, and Exposure-Related Health Risks of Microplastics

Researchers synthesized over 200 peer-reviewed studies to review the environmental migration pathways, physicochemical transformations, and human health risks of microplastics across aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric environments, finding heterogeneous global distributions of fragments and fibers predominantly composed of polyethylene and polypropylene, with bioaccumulation, endocrine disruption, and oxidative stress identified as key mechanisms of toxicity.

Microplastic contamination in branded and non-branded edible Soybean oil from Bangladesh

This study provides the first evidence of microplastic contamination in soybean oils sold in Bangladesh, finding an average of nearly 54,000 particles per liter across 60 branded and non-branded samples. Non-branded oils had significantly higher contamination levels than branded products, and the study identified polyurethane and nylon in edible oils for the first time. Health risk assessments estimated that children could be exposed to over 28,000 microplastic particles per year through soybean oil consumption alone.

A Comprehensive Review on Environmental Migration, Physicochemical Transformations, and Exposure-Related Health Risks of Microplastics

This review of over 200 studies found that tiny plastic particles smaller than 5mm are now everywhere in our environment—from ocean water to soil to the air we breathe. These microplastics can carry harmful chemicals and may cause health problems like hormone disruption and chronic diseases when we eat contaminated fish and other foods. The researchers say people may be consuming millions of these plastic particles every week, mainly through seafood, which highlights the need for better waste management and plastic alternatives.

Microplastics in Certain Commercial Finfish and Shellfish From Cox’s Bazar Fish Landing Center, Bangladesh: Evaluating Abundance and Risks

Researchers detected microplastics in the gills, gastrointestinal tracts, and whole bodies of nine commercially important fish and shellfish species from Bangladesh's Bay of Bengal coast, finding fibers were most prevalent and polymethyl methacrylate was the dominant polymer type, raising human health concerns.