Current State of Microplastics Research in SAARC Countries—A Review

In recent decades, plastic has become an inevitable part of human life. It is found to be more suitable for various applications than any other materials due to its longevity, being lightweight, and versatility. However, it comes with its own set of problems to the nature which is mainly due to its non-biodegradability. Microplastics are small-sized (<5 mm) debris of plastics. They are ubiquitous in our environment and are known to exist in all the five spheres of our planet. There is a growing concern among the microplastic researchers about the fate of these tiny particles of plastics which are floating in the oceans and suspended in the atmosphere. Since the last two decades, significant amount of work has been reported on microplastic pollution and its effects on the biota in different parts of the world. In this chapter, we present a detailed review of microplastic studies carried out by SAARC nations (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka). Sixty research papers were reviewed and it was found that India had carried out significant work in this research area. Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Nepal have reported few studies. Other SAARC nations such as Bhutan and Afghanistan have yet to report the presence and effects of microplastics in their environment. There are no significant studies made on the presence and distribution of airborne microplastics and its impact on human health, influence of microplastics in agricultural and forest soils and how they affect the soil properties. Besides, there are no studies to check the efficiency of the wastewater treatment plants in major and minor cities of most of the SAARC nations. Studies have shown that the SAARC nations account for nearly a quarter of the world’s population contribute a significant amount of plastic waste to the global plastic pollution. Therefore, a thorough understanding of microplastic pollution in these countries is essential that can be utilized for planning and implementing suitable legislative measures to safeguard the environment.