Recent status of water quality in Bangladesh: A systematic review, meta-analysis and health risk assessment

Abstract

Recently water quality is one of the most emerging environmental problems in the developing countries and Bangladesh is facing critical water pollution problem. The over growth rate of population, industrialization, rapid urbanization, improper sanitation and use of agrochemicals might be deteriorated the water quality of Bangladesh. This study conducted one of the most comprehensive literature analyses on the current status of water quality in Bangladesh with special emphasis on both conventional pollutants (heavy metal, pesticide, fecal pollution) and emerging contaminants. Concentration of heavy metals is higher in the water bodies close to the industrial zones. Prevalence of the fecal coliform has been found in the water samples taken from almost all of the studied areas. Different pesticides from organophosphate, carbamate and organochlorine groups are found in wetlands near the irrigated land of Bangladesh. Among different emerging contaminants, the presence of antibiotic residue, fluorescence whitening agent and microplastics are recently being identified in water bodies of Bangladesh. Health risk assessment of heavy metals and pesticides residues in water were evaluated using hazard quotient (HQ) and carcinogenic risk (ILCR). The results showed that the water quality of many parts of the country is already deteriorated and significant number of populations under a potential threat of water pollution. Hence, there is an urgent need of the existence and implementation of strict laws on water quality.