The escalating crisis of environmental degradation, with waste fires acting as a potent accelerant, has reached a critical juncture that demands immediate attention. This crisis disproportionately affects developing and low-income nations, where unregulated disposal and incineration in open areas have become rampant. These open waste fires serve as hotbeds for many environmental hazards ranging from air and water pollution to soil degradation. In addition, they contribute to the growing threat of marine litter and are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating global climate change. Beyond their environmental toll, waste fires present an immediate and long-term threat to human health, causing respiratory problems and skin conditions and potentially leading to more serious health outcomes, such as cancer. Their impacts are multidimensional, affecting not only the environment but also pose severe health risks to communities, especially those near waste-burning sites. In this technologically advanced era, the application of artificial intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and deep learning technologies has the potential to revolutionize waste fire management. These technologies can significantly improve the accuracy of identifying, monitoring, and ultimately mitigating waste fires, making them indispensable tools in the fight against this complex issue. This article offers a comprehensive and in-depth examination of the historical evolution of waste fires, with the aim of shedding light on the critical factors that contribute to their occurrence. We explore the scientific mechanisms by which waste fires lead to environmental pollution and public health crises, providing a holistic understanding of their far-reaching impacts. We present an overview of significant research initiatives, policy interventions, and technological solutions that have been proposed or implemented by authoritative bodies around the world. By synthesizing existing research and offering new insights, this paper aims to facilitate a deeper understanding of the intricacies of waste fires and spur innovative solutions for their sustainable management and eventual eradication. Therefore, this article focuses on environmental and human health problems while outlining the comprehensive approach and potential contributions to solving this critical issue.

E-waste, or electronic waste, refers to discarded electronic devices and components, and the management of e-waste has become a newly arising and challenging issue both in India and globally. Due to the increase in population, urbanization, global demand, and expansion of the digital infrastructure, generation of electronic waste is increasing annually. This study provides a comprehensive and thoroughly reviewed qualitative study on electronic waste management practice. This study highlights an outline of the amount of electronic waste generation in India and the world and examines prevailing approaches in the treatment and management of electronic waste, including unsafe informal recycling and inadequate inventory control. This article focuses on major problems such as child labor, illegal dumping, poor infrastructure, limited knowledge and awareness among the public inadequate legal regulation, and spillage of various toxic heavy metals such as arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), and barium (Ba) via electronic waste. This study analyzes the harmful effects of toxic heavy metals, such as arsenic and mercury, on environmental quality and human well-being. To address these issues, this study outlines various sustainable recommendations, such as technology improvement proper collection; handling, management, and eradication of waste generated by electrical equipment in formal recycling practices; the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle) following circular economy practice, including collaboration between governmental, non-governmental, business, industries, and civil society; better legislative measures such as extended producer responsibility (EPR) and a single approach method, where collecting, sorting, and dismantling electronic waste is handled by the informal sector, while the formal sector manages extraction of metal, disposal, and recycling.

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging airborne pollutants that can migrate through various environmental pathways, with air representing one of the most critical exposure routes. Their occurrence within suspended particulate matter (PM)—a major atmospheric pollutant associated with respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases—further amplifies the risks posed by air pollution. The main sources of airborne MPs include tire and road wear, degradation of larger plastic debris, and wind-driven resuspension from soil and landfills. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge on airborne MPs, integrating methodological and toxicological perspectives. It summarizes sampling and separation procedures (filtration, chemical digestion, density separation) and analytical techniques for qualitative and quantitative identification. Particular emphasis is placed on the toxicological implications of MPs, including oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and potential carcinogenicity, as revealed by in vitro and mechanistic studies. In light of the absence of standardized methodologies, this work highlights the urgent need for harmonized protocols linking environmental monitoring with biological toxicity assessment. By combining information on analytical workflows and cellular responses, this review serves as a key reference for developing environmentally relevant experimental designs and evaluating health risks associated with airborne microplastics. It therefore bridges the gap between environmental analysis and toxicological research, outlining future priorities for methodological standardization and risk assessment.

Microplastics are very small particles of plastics, usually smaller than 5 mm. Microplastic pollution has emerged as a rising and challenging issue worldwide, posing serious threats to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and human health. Because of global demand and frequent use in daily routines, including clothing, packaging, and household items, the production of plastic is increasing annually. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the source, classification (based on shape, color, polymer), transportation, and impact of microplastic pollution. Depending upon size, mass, and density, microplastics can be transported to the environment via air and water. However, microplastics can be inhaled and ingested by humans, causing various health issues; for example, aquatic organisms like small fish ingest microplastics, which accumulate through the food chain and end up in the human body. This can lead to physiological harm, including inflammation, digestion tract obstruction, biomagnification throughout the food chain, and reproductive failure. This study further highlighted initiatives taken by government agencies to address plastic and microplastic pollution across India; for example, The Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has formulated and amended the Plastic Waste Management (PWM) rules, Mission LiFE (LiFEStyle for Environment) launched campaigns such as “Say No to Single Use Plastic” and “One Nation, One Mission: End Plastic Pollution” to create awareness at the grassroot level, and institutions like the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) have initiated a project to detect microplastics in food products. In addition, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has instructed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to actively take measures to address microplastic pollution across Indian cities, focusing on key parameters like air, water, food, and humans. This study presents several recommendations, including detection and removal techniques (conventional, advanced, and removal); strengthening legislative policies such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR); research collaboration and monitoring with institutions such as CSIR-IITR, ICAR-CIFT, and BITS-Pilani; integrating EPR and Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) to develop a circular economy model; and mass awareness through government initiatives like the Swachh Bharat and Smart City programs to foster long-term behavioral change.

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a ground-breaking method for attaining carbon neutrality in international trade as the world community struggles with the pressing need to address climate change. This research investigates how the CBAM might influence the dynamics of international trade and promote the shift to low-carbon, sustainable economies. A critical analysis has been conducted to explore the CBAM's transformational potential in bringing trade practices into line with climate goals by examining its economic, environmental, and political components and its implication practice, covering issues with trade equity, enforcement protocols, and possible geopolitical conflicts. The information has been gathered from several reliable sources, including the WTO, the European Commission for trade input, the World Bank, and the EPA for emission information. It has been compiled into a tabular format for simplicity of reading. The graphs have been plotted using Python (3.11.6) to improve visual comprehension. Stakeholders may help CBAM implement successfully by adopting these suggestions, maximising its revolutionary potential, and overcoming the difficulties in reaching carbon neutrality in international trade. By using an interdisciplinary approach, the study seeks to offer a thorough grasp of CBAM's function in becoming carbon neutral, revealing the complex obstacles that must be overcome for it to integrate into the world economy successfully.

Waste fires are one of the biggest problems in India that cause various problems to the environment and human health. This article thoroughly investigates the negative impacts of waste fires on the environment, public health, and the economy and emphasizes the need for sustainable waste management practices, investment in waste management infrastructure, and stricter fire safety regulations by taking India as a study base. Education and waste management awareness programs are also important tools for promoting behavior change and achieving cost savings. The implications of waste management policies and practices in India and other developing countries are also discussed, including the need to promote sustainable waste management practices, enhance fire safety measures, encourage public participation, and strengthen regulatory frameworks. Overall, this research highlights the importance of addressing waste fires and promoting sustainable waste management practices for achieving a safer, healthier, and more sustainable society. The possible solution for the issue of waste management and waste fires in India has been discussed widely in this article to provide an overview for appropriate management of waste materials.