Background: Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as significant environmental contaminants increasingly detected in drinking water. Originating from plastic waste, textiles, and industrial effluents, MPs can infiltrate water systems and resist conventional treatment processes. Their small size and ability to carry toxic substances such as plasticizers, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants raise serious concerns regarding human health and water safety. Methods: This study employed a narrative review approach by synthesizing literature published between 2021 and 2025 from PubMed, Dimensions AI, and ScienceDirect. The review examined the sources of MPs in drinking water, associated human health risks, detection methods, removal technologies, and existing regulatory frameworks. Findings: The review found that MPs in drinking water pose considerable health risks through chemical leaching, bioaccumulation, and physical damage. Smaller particles, particularly nanoplastics, are difficult to detect and can bypass conventional filtration systems. Exposure to MPs is associated with endocrine disruption, gastrointestinal disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and other long-term health impacts, especially among vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women. Advanced treatment technologies, including nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, and electrocoagulation show potential for effective removal, although economic and operational limitations hinder large-scale implementation. The study also identified major policy gaps, including the absence of standardized global regulations and safety thresholds for MPs. Conclusion: Microplastic contamination in drinking water represents a growing threat to public health and water quality management. Improved detection methods, stronger regulatory frameworks, advanced treatment technologies, and public health education are urgently needed to reduce exposure and ensure safer drinking water systems worldwide. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study provides a comprehensive and up-to-date synthesis of microplastic contamination in drinking water by integrating health risk assessment, detection challenges, treatment technologies, and policy analysis within a single review. It highlights critical gaps in regulation and emphasizes the need for global standardization and interdisciplinary solutions.
Felix Donkor, Gifty Dudzilah, Ogonna Kizzito Agbahiwe et al.· Asian Journal of Toxicology,...· 0 citations
Sub-Saharan Africa bears approximately 25% of the global disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) burden yet contributes fewer than 3% of global health research outputs. HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria coexist with a rising cancer burden, with attributable mortality projected to increase 75% by 2050. Fewer than 0.2% of genome-wide association study (GWAS) participants are of African ancestry, constraining precision medicine relevance. Conventional two-dimensional cultures and murine models inadequately replicate immune dynamics, tissue-level pathogenesis, and African pharmacogenomics. Immune organoids (three-dimensional microphysiological constructs) offer human-relevant platforms for mechanistic immunology, drug screening, vaccine evaluation, and precision oncology. A narrative review was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar (January 2019–June 2025), integrating technical descriptors (lymph node-on-a-chip, patient-derived organoids, microphysiological systems) with regional keywords (sub-Saharan Africa, genomic sovereignty, STISA-2034, frugal bioengineering). Gray literature from WHO, World Bank, and Africa CDC was incorporated. Thematic synthesis identified technological advances, infrastructural barriers, regulatory gaps, and sociopolitical determinants of adoption. Lymph node-on-a-chip, tonsil-derived, and tumor–immune co-culture organoids enable high-fidelity interrogation of host–pathogen and tumor–immune interactions. Adoption is constrained by infrastructure deficits, reagent costs, energy instability, bioinformatics gaps, and nascent regulatory frameworks. Scalable solutions include a three-tier hub framework (Coordinator–Generator–Collaborator), ABCOMICS for continental genomic data governance, frugal LCD-based bioprinting, and passive microfluidic perfusion. Harmonized ethical guidelines and community-engaged consent are essential for genomic sovereignty. A phased, STISA-2034-aligned roadmap integrating frugal bioengineering, ethical governance, and targeted capacity-building can position Africa as a global leader in human-centric biomedical research, accelerating precision medicine, pandemic preparedness, and health equity.
A. O. Abdulgafar, Adeyemi Sallam Febilola, C. Rono et al.· Journal of the Egyptian Nati...· 0 citations
