The speedy rate of industrialization, metropolitanization, and rising
population are leading to the contamination of the environment and an increase in
health issues. A variety of anthropogenic polymers are introduced into the soil in
numerous ways. These compounds may be hazardous chemicals, polythene, pesticides,
plastics, etc. Accumulation of these synthetic pollutants in the surroundings causes
severe illness and can also lead to an ecological threat. Alternative strategies to combat
these ever-growing issues have been inaugurated and executed from the
microbiological aspect. Myco-remediation is the implementation of fungus or its
metabolic derivatives for the detoxification of environmental contaminants. This
technology is eco-friendly, more efficient, and very economical. It is a natural
technology for the degradation of synthetic polymers. It has additional benefits over
other conventional methods. In this chapter, we have highlighted the negative effects of
common contaminants on health and the environment and also summarized the
contribution of several fungi and enzymes that are able to degrade a variety of widely
used synthetic plastics such as agricultural, pharmaceutical wastes, heavy metals,
including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. The chapter also explains the strategies
which can be used as a future framework to remove or solve the global problem of
pollution.
Keywords: Heavy metals, Myco-remediation, Pharmaceutical wastes, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, Xenobiotics.