Public perception on plastic pollution: a web-based study in Dhaka City, Bangladesh

BMC Public Health, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 25(1)

Published: Feb. 20, 2025

This study explores the attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control of Dhaka city residents toward plastic pollution, using Theory Planned Behavior (TPB) as a framework. A cross-sectional survey 435 participants was conducted online, targeting adults (≥ 18 years) with internet access. The consisted 10 items each for attitude, control, analyzed descriptive statistics multiple regression to identify associations sociodemographic factors such age, education, income. Findings indicate that respondents generally hold positive attitudes reducing 39.77% agreeing purchase environmentally sustainable products despite higher costs 44.83% willing reduce single-use plastics even when offered free. However, adoption reusable alternatives remains low, only 28.97% their bags shopping. Subjective norms showed moderate influence, 43.68% indicating people around them affect usage, though many lacked social pressure adopt friendly behaviors. also highlights practical barriers, including low availability biodegradable (4.37%), lack effective waste segregation, limited community-level campaigns. 36-45 age group significant negative association while education positively influenced reduction. emphasizes need supportive policies, reward systems, infrastructure translate into These findings offer valuable insights policymakers aiming improve pollution management in other developing urban areas.

Language: Английский

Polymer weathering under simulated solar radiation and comparison to stormwater and estuarine microplastics

Chemosphere, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 379, P. 144379 - 144379

Published: April 25, 2025

Accurate spectral identification of weathered plastics and analyses that provide insight into environmental degradation age are desirable for source tracking understanding hazards. The objectives this study were to (1) evaluate the kinetics changes lab-weathered polymers compare spectra from microplastics (MPs), (2) assess accuracy databases in identifying polymers. For objective 1, polyethylene (PE) polypropylene (PP) fragments exposed simulated solar radiation water 90 days. FTIR collected periodically was quantified using carbonyl hydroxyl bond indices. Significant linear increases indices PP, but not PE, observed as a function exposure time. Spectra (via principal component analysis) then compared MPs urban stormwater Delaware Bay estuary. Estuarine PP varied collection mode (i.e., ATR vs. transmission) by sampling site, potentially indicating sources/fate/transport worthy further study. In contrast, no significant differences samples, possibly due close proximity locations. PE exhibited non-linear trends laboratory showed association with location suggesting these may be less useful analysis. 2, 14 different polymers, eight which polymer blends, up days, dry wet conditions. analyzed two software. OpenSpecy achieved an 88 % true positive rate siMPle's 57 at 70 hit quality threshold. Expanding reference libraries, include could improve accuracy, manual interpretation is recommended low-confidence matches.

Language: Английский