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Khaled R, Elabed S, Masarani A, Almulla A, Almheiri S, Koniyath R, Semerjian L, Abass K. Human biomonitoring of environmental contaminants in Gulf Countries - current status and future directions. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 236:116650. [PMID: 37479209 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This systematic review aimed to evaluate the status of Human Biomonitoring (HBM) in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region and provide recommendations for future research, considering the increased environmental contaminants that pose a threat to human health in this rapidly industrializing area. METHODS A thorough search was performed in PubMed and Web of Science databases up to February 2023 to identify biomonitoring studies on human exposure and levels in the GCC region. Two independent reviewers assessed study eligibility, conducted data extraction and risk of bias assessment. The NIH Quality Assessment Tools and PRISMA guidelines were utilized for quality evaluation and reporting of results. RESULTS A total of 38 eligible articles were included in this systematic review out of 662 articles screened. The majority of the publications were from Saudi Arabia (n = 24) and Kuwait (n = 10), while limited representation was found from Qatar (n = 3) and the UAE (n = 1). No articles were identified from Oman and Bahrain. The studies focused on metals, organohalogen compounds, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and phthalates. The findings revealed elevated levels of metals and established correlations between metal exposure and adverse health effects, including infant neurodevelopmental issues, vitamin D deficiency, and oxidative stress. The presence of organohalogen compounds and pesticides was prevalent in the GCC region, with significant associations between exposure to these compounds and negative health outcomes. Notably, high levels of perchlorate were observed in the Kuwaiti population, and a study from Saudi Arabia found an association between per- and polyfluorinated substances and increased odds of osteoporosis. CONCLUSIONS This review emphasizes the need to address environmental health challenges in the GCC region through improved HBM research methods and strategies. Implementing biomonitoring programs, conducting cohort studies, investing in tools and expertise, promoting collaboration, and engaging the community are crucial for reliable HBM data in the GCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghad Khaled
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shahd Elabed
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Asmaa Masarani
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Anfal Almulla
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shamsa Almheiri
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rinsha Koniyath
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Lucy Semerjian
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Khaled Abass
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Sharjah Institute for Medical Research (SIMR), University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Research Unit of Biomedicine and Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Finland.
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Virolainen S, Hussien W, Dalibalta S. Autism spectrum disorder in the United Arab Emirates: potential environmental links. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2020; 35:359-369. [PMID: 32663174 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2020-0025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been experiencing an increase in global prevalence in recent decades. While many factors could account for this reality, certain environmental links have been shown to contribute to ASD development and etiology. The Middle East has had relatively little published research on ASD etiology although statistics indicate that ASD affects 1 in 146 births in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This review therefore aims to examine potential causes of ASD within the UAE specifically, focusing on environmental links that may contribute to the rise in ASD cases in this population. Significantly, suboptimal breastfeeding practices, high levels of vitamin D deficiency, increased exposure to pollution, pesticides and heavy metals within the UAE may all be potentially important contributing factors to ASD in this population. Our findings support the notion that there are key links between various environmental factors and ASD prevalence in the UAE. The lack of knowledge and much research on ASD within the UAE deeply necessitates further studies on its etiology as it poses a serious public health challenge in the region and globally.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wejdan Hussien
- Department of Biology, Chemistry & Environmental Sciences, American University of Sharjah, P.O. Box 26666, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sarah Dalibalta
- Department of Biology, Chemistry & Environmental Sciences, American University of Sharjah, P.O. Box 26666, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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Ahmmed MK, Ahmmed F, Tian HS, Carne A, Bekhit AED. Marine omega-3 (n-3) phospholipids: A comprehensive review of their properties, sources, bioavailability, and relation to brain health. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 2019; 19:64-123. [PMID: 33319514 DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.12510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 10/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
For several decades, there has been considerable interest in marine-derived long chain n-3 fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFAs) due to their outstanding health benefits. n-3 LCPUFAs can be found in nature either in triglycerides (TAGs) or in phospholipid (PL) form. From brain health point of view, PL n-3 is more bioavailable and potent compared to n-3 in TAG form, as only PL n-3 is able to cross the blood-brain barrier and can be involved in brain biochemical reactions. However, PL n-3 has been ignored in the fish oil industry and frequently removed as an impurity during degumming processes. As a result, PL products derived from marine sources are very limited compared to TAG products. Commercially, PLs are being used in pharmaceutical industries as drug carriers, in food manufacturing as emulsifiers and in cosmetic industries as skin care agents, but most of the PLs used in these applications are produced from vegetable sources that contain less (without EPA, DPA, and DHA) or sometimes no n-3 LCPUFAs. This review provides a comprehensive account of the properties, structures, and major sources of marine PLs, and provides focussed discussion of their relationship to brain health. Epidemiological, laboratory, and clinical studies on n-3 LCPUFAs enriched PLs using different model systems in relation to brain and mental health that have been published over the past few years are discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirja Kaizer Ahmmed
- Department of Food Science, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,Department of Fishing and Post-Harvest Technology, Faculty of Fisheries, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Khulshi, Bangladesh
| | - Fatema Ahmmed
- Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | | - Alan Carne
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Cunningham PA, Sullivan EE, Everett KH, Kovach SS, Rajan A, Barber MC. Assessment of metal contamination in Arabian/Persian Gulf fish: A review. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 143:264-283. [PMID: 31789162 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Metal contamination in fish is a concern worldwide, including in the Arabian/Persian Gulf region. This review summarizes the findings from 55 papers about metal concentrations in Gulf fish. Metal concentrations in muscle tissue were screened against the most recent maximum allowable levels (MALs) for fish in international commerce. We identified metals, fish species, and locations where concentrations exceeded the MALs. For some metals, recent MALs have been set to lower concentrations as more toxicological data have become available. Mean fish tissue concentrations exceeded the MAL in 13% (arsenic), 76% (cadmium), 56% (lead), and 10% (mercury) of species means. We identified 13 fish species with the potential to serve as bioindicators of metal contamination for use in four Gulf habitats: pelagic, benthopelagic, demersal, and coral reefs. Recommendations are provided for a regional approach to improve consistency of sampling, data analysis and reporting of metal concentrations in Gulf fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A Cunningham
- RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Elizabeth E Sullivan
- RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Kibri H Everett
- RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Samuel S Kovach
- RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Anbiah Rajan
- Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD), P.O. Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mary C Barber
- RTI International, 701 13th Street, N.W., Suite 750, Washington, DC 20005, USA.
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Folley TJ, Nylander-French LA, Joubert DM, Gibson JM. Estimated burden of disease attributable to selected occupational exposures in the United Arab Emirates. Am J Ind Med 2012; 55:940-52. [PMID: 22576579 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As part of an effort to strengthen occupational safety and health programs, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) commissioned a study to estimate the burden of disease attributable to occupational exposure to carcinogens, particulate matter, and noise. METHODS We developed an innovative simulation model to estimate the occupational disease burden and facilitate future assessments as more field-based quantitative data become available. RESULTS We determined that, in 2008, an estimated 46 deaths (95% CI: 27-71) and 17,000 health-care facility visits (95% CI: 16,000-18,000), along with 4,500 cases of noise-induced hearing loss, were attributable to the occupational risk factors covered in this study. Lung cancer and leukemia were associated with the highest number of deaths (38), whereas asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease contributed most to the health-care facility visits (nearly 16,900). The highest estimated occupational disease burden is in construction. CONCLUSION These results will help the UAE to institute new policies for environment, health, and safety management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiina J Folley
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7431, USA
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Yeatts KB, El-Sadig M, Ali HI, Al-Maskari F, Campbell A, Ng SW, Reeves L, Chan RL, Davidson CA, Funk WE, Boundy MG, Leith D, Popkin B, Gibson JM, Rusyn I, Olshan AF. Conducting environmental health research in the Arabian Middle East: lessons learned and opportunities. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2012; 120:632-636. [PMID: 22356946 PMCID: PMC3346772 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1104031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2011] [Accepted: 01/19/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Arabian Gulf nations are undergoing rapid economic development, leading to major shifts in both the traditional lifestyle and the environment. Although the pace of change is brisk, there is a dearth of environmental health research in this region. OBJECTIVE We describe challenges and successes of conducting an environmental epidemiologic study in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a Gulf nation in the Middle East, with an inter-disciplinary team that includes in-country academic and government collaborators as well as U.S. academic collaborators. DISCUSSION We present several issues, including study and data collection design, exposure assessment, scheduling and time coordination, quality assurance and quality control, and institutional review board protocols. These topics are considered in a cultural context. Benefits of this research included building linkages among multinational, interdisciplinary team members, generating data for local environmental decision making, and developing local epidemiologic research capacity. The Middle Eastern culture of hospitality greatly benefited the project team. CONCLUSION Cultural differences impact multiple aspects of epidemiologic research and should be respectfully addressed. Conducting international population-based environmental research poses many challenges; these challenges can be met successfully with careful planning, cultural knowledge, and flexibility. Lessons learned are applicable to interdisciplinary research all over the world. The research conducted will benefit the environmental and public health agencies of the UAE and provide the nation's leadership with country-specific environmental health data that can be used to protect the public's health in a rapidly changing environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin B Yeatts
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA.
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Gibson JM, Farah ZS. Environmental risks to public health in the United Arab Emirates: a quantitative assessment and strategic plan. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2012; 120:681-6. [PMID: 22357098 PMCID: PMC3346776 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1104064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2011] [Accepted: 01/18/2012] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental risks to health in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have shifted rapidly from infectious to noninfectious diseases as the nation has developed at an unprecedented rate. In response to public concerns over newly emerging environmental risks, the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi commissioned a multidisciplinary environmental health strategic planning project. OBJECTIVES In order to develop the environmental health strategic plan, we sought to quantify the illnesses and premature deaths in the UAE attributable to 14 environmental pollutant categories, prioritize these 14 risk factors, and identify interventions. METHODS We estimated the disease burden imposed by each risk factor using an attributable fraction approach, and we prioritized the risks using an empirically tested stakeholder engagement process. We then engaged government personnel, scientists, and other stakeholders to identify interventions. RESULTS The UAE's environmental disease burden is low by global standards. Ambient air pollution is the leading contributor to premature mortality [~ 650 annual deaths; 95% confidence interval (CI): 140, 1,400]. Risk factors leading to > 10,000 annual health care facility visits included occupational exposures, indoor air pollution, drinking water contamination, seafood contamination, and ambient air pollution. Among the 14 risks considered, on average, outdoor air pollution was ranked by the stakeholders as the highest priority (mean rank, 1.4; interquartile range, 1-2) and indoor air pollution as the second-highest priority (mean rank 3.3; interquartile range, 2-4). The resulting strategic plan identified 216 potential interventions for reducing environmental risks to health. CONCLUSIONS The strategic planning exercise described here provides a framework for systematically deciding how to invest public funds to maximize expected returns in environmental health, where returns are measured in terms of reductions in a population's environmental burden of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline MacDonald Gibson
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7431, USA.
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