ANNOUNCEMENTS
Plastic pollution is a major global issue that affects both the environment and human health in various ways. Using strong monitoring and assessment procedures is crucial to solve this problem. Geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and spatial analysis techniques, provide useful instruments for monitoring plastic waste in diverse settings. These techniques make it possible to pinpoint the origins, routes, and hotspots where plastic pollution accumulates, which helps to guide focused mitigation plans. Understanding the effects of plastic garbage on human health is just as important as assessing its spatial distribution. In order to do this, questionnaire surveys are used to learn more about the opinions of the public, the degree of awareness, and the health risks associated with plastic pollution.
This study utilizes a geospatial approach to monitor plastic leakage in Delhi, with a specific focus on identifying areas with high plastic leakage potential. By employing the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique, a plastic leakage density map is developed which highlights significant hotspots such as the Ghazipur landfill site, Gautampuri near Seelampur, Taimoor Nagar, and areas along the Najafgarh drain. To evaluate the health effects of plastic leaks, a comprehensive questionnaire was designed and administered to 100 respondents, with 50 participants from high plastic leakage potential areas and 50 from low leakage potential or unexposed areas. The findings indicate a notable disparity in health outcomes between residents of high and low plastic leakage areas, underscoring the urgent need for targeted interventions to mitigate plastic pollution and its detrimental effects on human health. This study not only sheds light on the spatial distribution of plastic leakage in Delhi but also emphasizes the critical link between environmental pollution and public health, paving the way for informed policy-making and sustainable urban planning.
This multidisciplinary approach clarifies the direct and indirect health concerns that communities residing in plastic-contaminated areas confront, shedding light on the human aspects of plastic pollution. In addition, it offers useful information to practitioners, researchers, and politicians working on public health initiatives including mitigating plastic pollution. It contributes to more effective ways for reducing plastic pollution and protecting public health by guiding evidence-based decision-making.
