Purpose – Purpose of current study is to explore, impact of workplace environment i.e Physical Environmental Factors and Behavioral Environmental Factors on employee productivity (EP) through mediating role of employee health (EH). Research methodology – This study adopted questionnaire survey method and data was collected from 250 employees working in software houses in Pakistan. Data has been analysed using SPSS and AMOS software. Reliability and correlation analysis was performed by using SPSS while; path analysis was performed using AMOS. Findings – Results revealed that one unit variance in PEF incorporates 35% change in EH, 33% change in EH is caused by one unit increase in BEF and one unit increase in EH leads to 80% increase in EP. Physical and Behavioural Environmental Factors are positively affecting EH and EH is positivity affecting EP. Results of the study revealed that: employee health is mediating the relationship between workplace environment factors and employee performance. Research limitations – We used working Environment factors to determine employee health; future studies can consider compensation practices, insurance plans and health benefits by the organisation, a large sample or increased number of mediating variables can be used. The current study has adopted cross-sectional design while future studies can consider longitudinal design. Practical implications – Organisations must maintain a better environment in order to enhance employee productivity as, employee performance and workplace environment have direct and positive relationship, employees productivity and physical as well as behavioural environment are linked through employee health.

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Microplastics (MPs) are unregulated and emerging contaminants, which are continuously released due to human activities in the environment through several pathways. The presence of MPs poses threats to the environment, organisms, and human health. The discharge of treated effluent from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is a major source of MP input, especially in the form of microfibers, into the aquatic environment, whereas the application of sludge and compost is a crucial pathway transferring MPs to terrestrial environment. Meanwhile, MPs are produced from industrial processes and the use of plastic consumer goods and personal care products. MPs become more hazardous when they adsorb persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals or attach with pathogenic microorganisms from wastewater and sludge. However, there is little comprehensive information available about the collaborative role of wastewater and sludge in MP contamination. Studies about remediation strategies and their removal mechanisms of MPs in WWTPs are limited. Therefore, it is important to develop cost-effective detection methods of MPs for routine monitoring in wastewater and sludge samples and understanding of fate and inhibitory effects of MPs in wastewater and sludge treatment processes, before developing the mitigation measures of MP contamination. This chapter summarizes the sources and pathways of MPs, discusses the impacts of MPs on environment and human health, and reviews the current practices on detection, quantification, and qualification of MPs. In addition, this chapter provides insights into the source control of MPs through polices and education.

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The presence of microplastics in different environmental matrices has raised many concerns about potential effects of microplastics on humans and freshwater ecosystems. In Pakistan, rivers potentially receive microplastics from anthropogenic activities in their catchments. However, research studies regarding microplastics' presence, distribution, and risks are scarce in Pakistan. To bridge the gap, the present study was conducted to evaluate microplastic pollution in the Chenab River. Surface water samples were collected from selected sites on the Chenab River using a manta trawl in the low-flow season during postmonsoon (October) 2019 and 2020 and in the high-flow season during monsoon (July) 2020 and 2021. Samples were digested, followed by density separation and filtration. Identification and polymer characterization of microplastics were completed using stereomicroscopy and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. Microplastics were found in all samples with significant spatiotemporal variation in microplastic concentration, with an average of 45.98 ± 10.45 microplastics/m 3 in the low-flow season and 34.66 ± 16.15 microplastics/m 3 in the high-flow season. Among microplastic shapes, fibers were the most dominant shape, whereas polyethylene terephthalate (38.2%) and polypropylene (19%) were the most abundant polymers. Polymer risk index analysis and pollution load index demonstrated that most of the sites ranked as safe. The potential ecological risks from single polymers and combined polymers showed minor risks posed by microplastics. The present study is the first step to focus on microplastic pollution in the Chenab River; it will help river managers to mitigate the microplastic pollution without compromising the ecological integrity of the river.