Urban industrialization is a major driver of water pollution, particularly through emerging contaminants that pose significant health risks for humans and ecosystems. This critical review focuses on Bangladesh’s Buriganga and Dhaleshwari rivers, which pass through highly industrialized and urban areas, analyzing contaminant types, sources, pathways, and impacts. By synthesizing data from studies published between 2005 and 2024, the paper examines pollutants such as heavy metals (e.g., Cr, Cd, Pb, Ni, Zn, Hg, As, Mn, Cu, Fe) and microplastics in water, sediments, and biota. The Buriganga River shows extreme heavy metal contamination, with surface water Cr concentrations reaching up to 167,160 μg/L, Pb up to 3830 μg/L, and Fe up to 30,000 μg/L, and sediment Cr up to 4249 μg/g, Pb up to 3312 μg/g, and Fe up to 15,435 μg/g. In contrast, the Dhaleshwari River exhibits elevated but comparatively lower heavy metal concentrations in surface water (e.g., Cr up to 3350 μg/L; Cd up to 1890 μg/L; Pb up to 1320 μg/L; Ni up to 1732 μg/L; Fe up to 6040 μg/L) and sediments (Cr up to 282 μg/g; Fe up to 14,375 μg/g). Microplastic contamination in Buriganga is widespread across water, sediments, and biota and dominated by polymers such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Industrial discharges, particularly from the textile, leather, and metal processing industries, are identified as primary sources for heavy metals and microplastics. Additional inputs from domestic waste, agricultural runoff, and municipal sewage intensify pollution, with Cr, Cd, and Pb notably frequently exceeding safety thresholds. Microplastics, originating from municipal waste and atmospheric deposition, persist in these rivers, posing ecological and public health risks. The persistence and bioaccumulation of heavy metals and microplastics threaten aquatic biodiversity by disrupting food chains and pose significant risks to local communities that depend on these rivers for agriculture, fishing, and daily water use. This review highlights the urgent need for comprehensive bioaccumulation studies, long-term monitoring, and enhanced detection techniques to better assess contamination levels. Strengthening environmental regulations, improving waste management, and adopting sustainable industrial practices are critical to mitigating emerging contaminant impacts and safeguarding these vital river ecosystems and public health.

Purpose: When companies implement lean production, the negative health effects can often worsen, especially by increasing musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) due to heavier workloads. However, there has been limited research on employees’ health, including MSD, in lean working environments. This paper aims to determine the connection between employee participation in lean practices and the reduction of MSD. Design/methodology/approach: This research used mixed methods and interpretive structural model (ISM)-MICMAC analysis to assess the impact of MSD in Bangladesh’s ready-made garments industry following intervention-based action research under a lean context. Additionally, the ISM-MICMAC model analyzes the relationship between the nine identified factors and determines the factors’ dependence power and driving power. Findings: The findings revealed relationships between employee involvement and the initiation of changes towards ideal ergonomic sitting postures of sewing workers during a lean environment. This research also suggested that changes in ergonomic sitting postures influence worker safety behavior by reducing operators’ MSD, and the intervention resulted in a notable reduction in different pain perceptions. Moreover, “training and awareness” and “reorganizing workstation” are the significant driving factors for reducing MSD during the lean implementation. Research limitations/implications: The research is conducted on a small sample size; involving more garment factories and workers could enhance the validity and provide more definitive insights. Practical implications: The findings can guide garment factories, especially in developing countries, in developing better health and safety standards as part of a lean environment, ultimately fostering a healthier and more productive work environment. Originality/value: This paper is the first to address intervention-based action research to identify workers’ involvement in lean implementation to reduce MSD. It also contributes a conceptual interpretive structural model that may help factories prioritize some factors while implementing lean while simultaneously focusing on the workers’ health.

Purpose The leather tanning industry is under scrutiny for its environmental impact and worker safety concerns amid a global push for sustainable practices. To address these issues, initiatives like cleaner production, chrome-free tanning, circular economy models, and green chemistry are being implemented to promote safer and more sustainable practices. This review paper evaluates the impact of sustainability initiatives on improvements in occupational health and safety (OHS), while supporting economic and environmental objectives. Design /methodology/approach This study adopts a systematic literature review approach to assess the existing body of research on sustainable initiatives in the leather industry, particularly their impact on OHS in workers. A qualitative classification scale has been developed to evaluate the strength of association between specific interventions that adopt sustainability initiatives and improvements in worker health and safety in the leather tanning sector. Papers directly discussing sustainable initiatives that impact OHS in workers were classified as having a strong positive relationship, while papers focusing less on the impact of these initiatives on worker health and safety were categorized as having a weaker association. Findings A total of 31 relevant studies were identified and reviewed. The findings indicate a generally positive, strong (9 articles) and weak (15 articles) association between sustainability efforts and OHS improvements in the tannery working environment, although the strength of OHS remains underrepresented in sustainability research. The literature shows that while sustainability initiatives have demonstrated benefits for environmental sustainability, their direct impact on worker health and safety remains underexplored. Research implications The review highlights the need for integrated sustainability frameworks that incorporate OHS indicators. Future research should prioritize participatory, field-based studies that align with SDGs and emphasize both environmental and social well-being. Originality The originality of this research lies in its focus on identifying and categorizing the gaps between sustainability initiatives and OHS improvements in the leather tanning industry, an area that has been underexplored in existing literature. By linking sustainability practices directly with worker health outcomes, this study provides a new perspective on how sustainability can enhance both environmental and social sustainability.

The worldwide leather tanning industry is crucial in global trade, making around US$50 billion in sales. However, its fast growth has caused significant environmental issues, prompting a careful reconsideration of the industry's operation. Tanneries, often situated near the water, highlight the difficulty of balancing making money with caring for the environment. Having good plans for managing waste is crucial to deal with these issues. Leather Working Group (LWG) certification is a way to transform the industry. Getting LWG certification allows tanneries to sell their products to the EU and other places that care about the environment. However, there are challenges for tanneries trying to get this certification. This study uses a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making tool to prioritize these challenges systematically. By focusing on these obstacles, the research aims to help the industry move towards more sustainable practices, ensuring it stays competitive globally while taking care of the environment.

The leather chemical industry in Bangladesh plays a pivotal role in supporting the nation’s leather sector, which encompasses tanneries, footwear, and leather goods. It contributes 3% to GDP and generates $1.1 billion annually in exports. This study examines the current market dynamics, key drivers, and challenges shaping the leather chemical industry while forecasting its future prospects. Data were collected through structured questionnaires targeting leather manufacturers and chemical suppliers, as well as in-depth interviews with professionals. The analysis explores market trends, adoption of sustainable practices, environmental impacts, and the influence of government initiatives. The analysis revealed that over 50% of participants prefer eco-friendly or hybrid chemicals, indicating a shift towards sustainable practices driven by global trends and consumer demand. However, the transition faces challenges, including increased production costs, reported by 40% of respondents, and external barriers to implementation. This study underscores the need for strategic investments in technology, workforce training, and infrastructure to address current limitations and capitalize on emerging opportunities.