Sep 2026· Journal of Public Health and Development· Vol 24, pp. 321-340· 0 citations
TL;DR
The meta-analysis showed substantially higher mercury levels in rural populations than in urban populations, highlighting the need for targeted public health strategies to mitigate mercury exposure while maintaining the nutritional benefits of fish consumption.
Abstract
Mercury presents a significant environmental health hazard due to its ability to bioaccumulate in the food chain, posing risks through the consumption of contaminated fish. This systematic review aims to analyze and compare mercury levels in human populations, specifically focusing on the health risks associated with fish consumption in urban versus rural areas. The review followed PRISMA guidelines and included articles published between January 1, 2020 and March 15, 2025 from PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. A total of 768 articles were identified, and seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Data extraction was performed, and study quality was assessed using the JBI checklist and risk of bias assessment with ROBINS-E. Data were extracted and synthesized using RevMan 5.4 for the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed substantially higher mercury levels in rural populations (SMD 2.76; 95% CI: 2.63–2.89), largely influenced by dietary patterns, predominant fish species, and environmental contamination levels. Health effects associated with elevated mercury exposure included neurodevelopmental risks, elevated mercury levels in pregnant women, and increased vulnerability among populations with high reliance on freshwater fish. These findings highlight the need for targeted public health strategies to mitigate mercury exposure while maintaining the nutritional benefits of fish consumption.
Mercury presents a significant environmental health hazard due to its ability to bioaccumulate in the food chain, posing risks through the consumption of contaminated fish. This systematic review aims to analyze and compare mercury levels in human populations, specifically focusing on the health risks associated with fish consumption in urban versus rural areas. The review followed PRISMA guidelines and included articles published between January 1, 2020 and March 15, 2025 from PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. A total of 768 articles were identified, and seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Data extraction was performed, and study quality was assessed using the JBI checklist and risk of bias assessment with ROBINS-E. Data were extracted and synthesized using RevMan 5.4 for the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed substantially higher mercury levels in rural populations (SMD 2.76; 95% CI: 2.63–2.89), largely influenced by dietary patterns, predominant fish species, and environmental contamination levels. Health effects associated with elevated mercury exposure included neurodevelopmental risks, elevated mercury levels in pregnant women, and increased vulnerability among populations with high reliance on freshwater fish. These findings highlight the need for targeted public health strategies to mitigate mercury exposure while maintaining the nutritional benefits of fish consumption.
Najma Afifa, Z. Shaluhiyah, R. Indraswari· Journal of Public Health and...· 0 citations
A comparative analysis of international experience in assessing the carcinogenic risks associated with trihalomethanes in drinking water revealed several gaps in research that could affect the assessment of risks associated with exposure to disinfection products.
Ivan Stogniyev, S. Bakhtiyar, Mikhail Mulyar et al.· Journal of Health Developmen...· 0 citations
Environmental uranium contamination is a growing public health concern driven by mining, nuclear operations, phosphate fertiliser use, and improper waste disposal. These activities raise uranium levels in soil and dust, increasing human exposure and health risks. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesise global data on uranium contamination in soil and dust, specifically evaluating carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks across populations. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases for studies published between 2000 and 2025. Two independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and full texts, applying the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal criteria for data extraction. Meta-analyses were performed, incorporating pooled estimates where appropriate. Narrative synthesis was applied to data unsuitable for meta-analysis. Eighteen studies from 13 countries met the inclusion criteria. The pooled mean uranium concentration was 3.49 mg/kg in soil and 5.10 mg/kg in dust. Regionally, the WHO South-East Asian Region (SEARO) reported the highest mean soil concentrations (5.26 mg/kg), while the Western Pacific Region recorded the highest dust concentrations (11.69 mg/kg). Non-carcinogenic hazard quotients ranged from 3.1 × 10−13 (children and adults) to 1.47 (adults), and carcinogenic risks spanned 3.54 × 10−21 (children) to 2.17 × 10−9 (adults). Uranium contamination in soil and dust varies by region, with SEARO and the Western Pacific as high-exposure areas. Risk ratios vary, influenced partly by age. Enhancing exposure assessment methods and age-specific risk evaluations is crucial for refining risk characterisation and informing public health interventions in uranium-affected areas.
L. Kalumbi, K. Lebelo, M. Masekameni et al.· Environmental Health Insight...· 0 citations
Evidence regarding the effects of vanadium in human populations is limited; nevertheless, the available reports substantiate its potential harmful effects on fetal development and various human systems.
Thalía O Macías-Camacho, M. Sánchez-Rodríguez· Critical Reviews in Toxicolo...· 0 citations
This study systematically reviewed research on heavy metal contamination in environmental and food systems in Uganda using the PRISMA 2020 data reporting method and the PICOS framework. An extensive literature search of published papers on heavy metal contamination in Uganda's environment and food systems was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases up to May 21, 2024. Boolean operators (AND/OR/NOT) were applied to develop search strategies tailored to each database. Following duplicate removal, title and abstract screening, and full-text assessment using the Rayyan platform, 39 articles were included in the final review. Data were extracted from each study using a standardized template that captured metal type, contamination source, concentration levels, affected food or environmental matrix, geographic location, and toxicological impact. Data were synthesized using a descriptive and narrative approach. Key sources of contamination include industrial and municipal waste, agricultural practices, and emissions from transport and manufacturing. Among the metals, lead was the most mentioned across studies. Regional analysis revealed that Central Uganda had the highest reports on heavy metals, while Northern Uganda remains critically understudied. Ecologically, heavy metals threaten soil fertility, aquatic biodiversity, and agricultural sustainability. Contamination of staple foods with lead, cadmium, and mercury poses significant public health risks, particularly for children and pregnant women. Strengthened environmental monitoring, targeted regional investigations, and improved food safety surveillance within a One Health framework are urgently recommended.
Sandra Etumah Ifie, B. A. Ale, I. Fasogbon et al.· Discover Environment· 0 citations
Lead (Pb) exposure remains a persistent environmental health concern even after the global phase-out of leaded gasoline. This study synthesized 27,780 vegetable Pb concentration records from 71 countries (1981-2023), integrating peer-reviewed literature, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) Food Safety Collaborative Platform (FOSCOLLAB) database, and national Total Diet Studies under a unified analytical framework. Spatial and temporal patterns of vegetable Pb contamination were characterized before and after leaded gasoline phase-out across four vegetable groups (fruiting, leafy, legumes, and root, tuber, and stem vegetables). Statistical associations between vegetable Pb concentrations and 16 macro-scale environmental and anthropogenic variables were examined using Pearson correlation and multivariable regression. Dietary exposure was assessed using the Margin of Exposure approach with population-specific consumption data. The compiled data revealed a pronounced monitoring imbalance: monitoring records were concentrated in high-income regions, while many low- and middle-income countries were represented mainly by literature-derived data. Post-ban vegetable Pb concentrations remained spatially heterogeneous, with low median values in North America, Western Europe, and Oceania but localized elevated concentrations in parts of Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Among the macro-scale predictors, PM2.5 showed the most consistent positive association with vegetable Pb concentrations across all vegetable groups. In the available post-ban dataset, exposure-based assessment identified five countries where the estimated daily intake (EDI) for adults exceeded the adult point-of-departure (POD) value of 1.2 μg·kg-1·bw·day-1, and one country where child EDI exceeded the child POD value of 0.6 μg·kg-1·bw·day-1. Temporal comparison further showed that concentration reductions did not necessarily translate into proportional reductions in dietary exposure when vegetable consumption patterns changed. These findings support complementing concentration-based standards with exposure-based surveillance that accounts for evolving dietary patterns and highlight the need for strengthened food-contaminant monitoring in underrepresented regions.
Yue Wang, Qihuang Wang, Yanni Zhang et al.· Journal of Environmental Man...· 0 citations
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