• Oxbow lakes
• Ecological risks

This study examined microplastic (MP) contamination and associated ecological and dietary exposure risks in water, sediment, and fish from three oxbow lakes- Bukbhara, Marjat, and Jhanpa in southwestern Bangladesh. The study analyzed 75 water samples, 75 sediment samples, and 45 fish using microscopy, ATR-FTIR, SEM-EDS, and pollution-risk indices. MP concentrations ranged from 36–356 items/L in water and 398–2,763 items/kg in sediment, while fish contained 3–24 items/individual. Fibers predominated, and polyethylene (38%) and polypropylene (21%) were the leading polymers. Risk indices indicated moderate-to-severe contamination, and estimated dietary exposure suggested children ingest MPs via fish at 3.67 times the adult rate.

• Agricultural soils
• Machine learning

This study assessed microplastic (MP) contamination, potential sources, and ecological risks in agricultural soils across eight upazilas of Jashore, Bangladesh. Sixty-four soil samples collected in 2024 were examined using microscopy, ATR-FTIR, SEM-EDS, pollution indices, multivariate analysis, and machine learning. Mean abundance reached 2,887.81 ± 1,027.23 MPs/kg dry soil. Fibers dominated (85%), 0.1–0.5 mm particles were most common (40%), and polyethylene was the leading polymer (41.35%). Risk indices indicated substantial contamination, with 81% of the study area classified as having very high ecological risk. Random Forest and XGBoost identified soil electrical conductivity, salinity, pH, organic carbon, and texture as key predictors, while agricultural plastic use and bio-fertilizers emerged as potential sources.

• Food contamination
• Potential risks

This study investigated microplastic (MP) contamination in 60 farmed and locally sourced eggs (layer, broiler, duck, and home hen) collected in southwestern Bangladesh. Particles were characterized using optical microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and ATR-FTIR, while pollution indices and artificial neural networks supported risk assessment. MPs occurred in all egg categories, averaging 10.77 ± 3.77 MPs/egg, with the highest abundance in layer eggs (13.47 ± 3.70 MPs/egg) and the lowest in home-hen eggs (7.67 ± 2.72 MPs/egg). Fibers predominated, particles measured 18–69 μm, and polyethylene accounted for 75% of identified polymers. Risk indices indicated considerable-to-severe contamination, while estimated dietary exposure was up to 3.31 times higher in toddlers than adults, highlighting the need for food-safety monitoring.

• Microplastic
• Ecological risks

This study assessed the occurrence, characteristics, and ecological risks of microplastics (MPs) in water, sediment, and biota from Kuakata Sea Beach, Bangladesh. Samples from 12 locations were analysed using sieving, wet peroxide digestion, density separation, optical microscopy, and FTIR spectroscopy. MP concentrations were higher in sediment (362.1 ± 50.1 MPs/kg) than in water (145.5 ± 40.7 MPs/L) and biota. Fibers and films were the dominant shapes, while polyethylene (PE) was the most frequently identified polymer. Pollution indices indicated moderate to severe contamination, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and targeted mitigation. These findings establish a baseline for assessing MP pollution and potential ecological risks in Kuakata.

• Indoor environment
• Educational institutions

This study investigated microplastic (MP) contamination and potential health risks in settled classroom dust from educational institutions in a major Bangladeshi city. Samples were analyzed using wet peroxide oxidation, stereomicroscopy, ATR-FTIR, and SEM-EDS. Mean MP abundance was 16,436.67 ± 8,534.06 particles/kg, with fibers accounting for 89% and particles measuring 100–500 μm comprising 44%. Polystyrene was the dominant polymer (40.6%). Pollution indices indicated moderate-to-high contamination and considerable-to-high polymer-associated risks. Estimated daily intake through dust ingestion was 0.39 ± 0.20 particles for children and 0.29 ± 0.15 for adults, highlighting potentially greater exposure risks among children and the need for improved indoor air-quality management.

• Coral reef systems
• Spatial distribution

This study assessed microplastic (MP) contamination and associated ecological and dietary risks in surface water, sediment, and marine biota at Saint Martin’s Island, Bangladesh’s largest coral island. Fish, crustaceans, and seaweeds were analyzed using stereomicroscopy and ATR-FTIR. MP concentrations averaged 141.25 ± 35.26 MPs/L in water and 580.83 ± 131.78 MPs/kg dry sediment, while biota contained 28.03, 20.88, and 8.21 MPs/individual in fish, crustaceans, and seaweeds, respectively. Fibers predominated, with polypropylene and polyethylene as the leading polymers. Risk indices indicated variable contamination levels, while dietary exposure estimates suggested children ingest approximately three times more MPs than adults through seafood consumption, underscoring the need for targeted coastal pollution monitoring and mitigation.

• Agricultural soils
• Toxic metal availability

This study investigated how microplastics (MPs) influence soil physicochemical properties, nutrient levels, and heavy metal availability in contaminated and uncontaminated soils. A 90-day incubation experiment evaluated five treatments-polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene foam (PS), polyamide (PA), and mixed MPs-at concentrations of 0.2% and 1% (w/w). MPs significantly altered soil bulk density, porosity, water-holding capacity, pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, and organic matter. Their effects varied by polymer type and concentration, with PS showing the strongest influence, followed by mixed MPs, PA, PET, and PE. Heavy metal availability decreased as MP concentration increased, highlighting potential implications for soil quality and metal mobility.

• Milk
• Human health

This study investigated microplastic (MP) contamination and potential dietary exposure risks in 25 commercially available milk brands in Bangladesh, comprising 19 powdered and six liquid milk products. MPs were characterized using microscopy and spectroscopic techniques, while pollution indices assessed contamination and polymer-associated risks. Mean concentrations were 279.47 ± 134.26 particles/kg in powdered milk and 182.27 ± 55.13 particles/L in liquid milk. Fibers predominated, and polyethylene was the most common polymer, accounting for 48% and 44% of MPs in powdered and liquid milk, respectively. Risk indices indicated moderate-to-high contamination, with powdered milk showing greater pollution. Estimated exposure was 3.43 times higher in children than adults, highlighting the need for improved monitoring during milk production, storage, and packaging.

• Urban outdoor environment
• Machine learning

This study assessed microplastic (MP) contamination and associated ecological and human health risks in urban road dust across Bangladesh using pollution indices, multivariate analysis, and machine learning. Mean MP abundance was 52.76 ± 20.24 particles/g, with fibers (77%), 0.1–0.5 mm particles (75%), blue particles (26%), and low-density polyethylene (24%) predominating. Pollution indices indicated moderate-to-severe contamination, while polymer-based assessments revealed high to very high ecological risks. Random Forest and support vector machine models identified electrical conductivity, salinity, pH, organic carbon, and soil texture as key predictors. Estimated annual ingestion reached 19,259.68 particles for children and 5,777.90 for adults, with higher estimated cancer risks for children. Dhaka was the most polluted division.

• Urban indoor environment
• Risk assessment

This study investigated microplastic (MP) contamination and potential health risks in indoor household dust across urban Bangladesh. Eighty dust samples were analyzed using particle characterization, pollution indices, and machine learning approaches. Mean MP abundance was 25.8 ± 6.43 particles/g, with fibers (73%), particles sized 0.5–1.0 mm (58%), blue particles (21%), and polystyrene (34%) predominating. Pollution indices indicated moderate-to-high contamination, while polymer hazard assessment revealed considerable risks. Random Forest and support vector machine models identified electrical conductivity, salinity, pH, organic carbon, and texture as influential predictors. Estimated daily ingestion was 4.12 ± 1.01 particles for children and 2.27 ± 0.57 for adults, highlighting greater potential risks for children.

• Heavy metals
• PET-derived char

Discarded polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles were converted into graphene for heavy metal removal from wastewater. The synthesized material was characterized using FE-SEM, EDX, and FTIR, followed by batch adsorption experiments under varying operational conditions. At pH 7, removal efficiencies reached 86.68% for cadmium (Cd), 73.66% for lead (Pb), 67.10% for copper (Cu), and 57.04% for zinc (Zn). Maximum adsorption capacities were 263.157, 78.740, 196.078, and 84.745 mg/g, respectively. Artificial neural networks and response surface methodology supported process optimization. Adsorption was favorable, spontaneous, and exothermic, demonstrating the potential of plastic-derived graphene for wastewater treatment.

• Dye removal
• Recycled PET

This study investigated the use of carbonized microplastic particles (CMPs) derived from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle waste for removing methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) dyes from water. Batch experiments and response surface methodology (RSM) showed that pH and adsorbent dosage significantly affected dye removal, achieving maximum efficiencies of 99.95% for MO at pH 3 and 99.04% for MB at pH 11. The quadratic RSM models showed strong fits (R² = 0.99 for MO; 0.92 for MB), while neural networks correlated well with experimental results. Adsorption followed pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir isotherms and was favorable, spontaneous, and exothermic. Real-wastewater and desorption tests further supported CMPs’ potential for dye treatment.

• Urban soils
• Source apportionment

This study assessed potentially toxic elements (As, Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, and Cu) in 71 soil samples from 11 land-use types in Jashore, Bangladesh, using AAS. Contamination indices identified Cd as a contributor to pollution. Positive matrix factorization linked As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Ni mainly to industrial and mixed anthropogenic sources, while Cr was natural. Metal workshops had the highest contamination, followed by industrial and brickfield areas. Ingestion was the main exposure route. Non-cancer risks were below the hazard-index threshold, but arsenic-related cancer risks exceeded acceptable levels for children and adults. This study highlights the need for soil management.

• Cropland soils
• Machine learning

This study assessed six hazardous elements (As, Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Cu) in agricultural soils near industrial areas of Bangladesh to investigate contamination levels, potential sources, and ecological and human health risks. Using multivariate analysis, positive matrix factorization, self-organizing maps, random forest, and pollution indices, the study identified multiple contamination sources, including anthropogenic activities and atmospheric fallout. Cadmium, nickel, and copper exceeded international soil quality standards, while approximately 77% of the study area was classified as polluted. Ecological risk ranged from moderate to high in 20–53% of samples, and the findings indicated potential carcinogenic health risks, particularly for children.

• Textile dye
• Waste-derived charcoal

This study evaluated municipal organic solid waste charcoal (MOSWC) as a low-cost adsorbent for removing methyl orange (MO) from wastewater. The prepared charcoal was characterized using FE-SEM and FT-IR, followed by batch adsorption experiments under varying operational conditions. The maximum observed adsorption efficiency was 40.11 mg/g at pH 3, an MO concentration of 100 mg/L, and an adsorbent dose of 1 g/L, while the maximum monolayer adsorption capacity reached 90.909 mg/g. Artificial neural networks and batch-based response surface methodology showed good agreement between predicted and experimental results. Adsorption followed pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Langmuir isotherm, demonstrating the potential of MOSWC for dye-contaminated wastewater treatment.

• Acid Red 27
• Black carbon

This study investigated PET waste-derived black carbon (PETWBC) and rice straw black carbon (RSBC) as adsorbents for removing Acid Red 27 (AR 27) from aqueous solutions. The materials were characterized using FE-SEM and FT-IR, followed by batch adsorption experiments under varying operating conditions. Both adsorbents achieved high removal efficiencies at pH 2, reaching 99.88% for PETWBC and 99.89% for RSBC. Artificial neural networks and batch-based response surface methodology showed good agreement between predicted and experimental results. Adsorption followed pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Freundlich isotherm, while thermodynamic analysis indicated favorable, spontaneous, and endothermic adsorption. Desorption and real wastewater experiments further supported their potential for dye removal.

• Acid Red 27
• Rice husk charcoal

• Indoor dust
• Educational buildings

• Road dust
• Source apportionment