Aug 2026· Critical Reviews in Toxicology· pp.
1-20
· 0 citations· 62 references
Medicine
TL;DR
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.
Abstract
Background
Vanadium is a metal naturally occurring in various ecosystems. Both natural and anthropogenic sources contribute to high concentrations in the air, soil, and water. Several experimental and epidemiological studies have linked this exposure to multiple adverse health effects.
Objective
To analytically synthesize the available evidence to establish the effects of vanadium exposure on human health and to determine whether this metal is an epidemiological risk.
Methods
The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (ID CRD42023447293). A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 methodology. A search for cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies was performed in six databases (PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, LILACS, Web of Science, SciELO) up to May 5, 2025. The search terms used were: "human, vanadium, pollution, exposure, diseases, damage".
Results
8,397 articles were identified, of which 27 were ultimately selected. The prevalent adverse effects reported were on pregnancy, fetal development, reproductive health, and the cardiovascular system, in addition to findings in different organs.
Conclusions
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. The oxidation state and concentration of vanadium are determining factors in these effects, and controversy persists regarding its etiological role in certain pathologies.
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
It is confirmed that pharmaceutical pollutants represent a multidimensional One Health challenge and primary recommendations include strengthening pharmaceutical waste management systems and medication take-back programs and implementing advanced wastewater treatment technologies.
Benjamin Oritsemuelebi, E. O. Chidebe, G. Udom et al.· Discover Environment· 0 citations
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.
A. A. S. Sadana, Tanthowi Jauhari, John Ringo et al.· Journal of Public Health and...· 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
Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder among the elderly, influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) have recently been identified as potential environmental risk factors due to their bioaccumulation in adipose tissue and neurotoxic properties. Objective This systematic review aimed to examine the human evidence regarding exposure to OCPs and the risk of AD. The results of the meta-analysis showed that exposure to pesticides is significantly associated with an increased risk of AD. Methods A comprehensive search was performed across major scientific databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Embase. Results Pooled estimates (random effects meta-analysis) of the four eligible studies showed a significant positive association between exposure to OCPs and the risk of AD (OR = 2.19; 95% CI: 1.40–3.42). These findings indicate that exposure to OCPs may significantly increase the risk of AD. The substantial heterogeneity among studies (I2 = 84.58%) may partly reflect differences in exposure assessment approaches, such as biomonitoring-based measurements compared with occupational or geographically inferred exposure assessments. Conclusions These findings highlight the importance of controlling occupational and environmental exposures to pesticides in preventing neurodegenerative outcomes. The findings suggest that chronic exposure to lipophilic pesticides, particularly persistent chlorinated compounds, may contribute to neurodegenerative processes implicated in the pathophysiology of AD. Therefore, more studies with similar designs and more precise exposure measurements are needed to confirm the results and reduce the heterogeneity.
Z. Ghaedrahmat, Farnaz Almasi, Javad Shamsi Goushki et al.· Journal of Alzheimer's Disea...· 0 citations
This review showed that in Côte d’Ivoire, peanut paste had 100% AFB1 contamination, with levels of 4535 µg/kg (AFB1) and 8094 µg/kg (total aflatoxins), and 99% of samples exceeded European Union limits.
