Persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals in Ghanaian environment: a systematic review of food safety implications

Advances in industrial and technological innovations have led to significant socio-economic benefits, but with overwhelming negative impacts on the environment. These impacts include the infiltration of organic contaminants into soil, water, and air, posing a threat to the environment and public health. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), heavy metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are increasingly released as waste, endangering the environment. In countries like Ghana, where regulations are weakly enforced, industrial waste is released uncontrollably, posing threats to public health, environmental integrity, and food systems. This study systematically evaluated existing literature on PBDEs, heavy metals, PAHs, and organic contaminant exposure in Ghana and proposes a roadmap for achieving food safety and protecting the environment and human health. The research identified high mobility of specific heavy metals and risks associated with PBDEs and PAHs in sediments, dumpsites, and various food items. Unregulated dumping of electronic waste with PBDEs raised environmental concerns. An integrated approach is needed to address the multifaceted impact of organic pollutants on public health and ecosystems. Urgent implementation of effective environmental management strategies and regulatory measures is crucial. The study proposed short- to mid-term priorities emphasising the need to foster collaboration and implementing global measures. The mid- to long-term strategy includes a national information surveillance system, local monitoring capacity development, and integrating land contamination controls with food safety legislation. These measures would mitigate risks, ensure sustainable practices, and improve overall food safety management in Ghana, serving as a model for regions facing similar challenges with diverse pollutants.

Evaluation of human health and ecological risk of heavy metals in water, sediment and shellfishes in typical artisanal oil mining areas of Nigeria

Heavy metal contamination in water and sediment is a serious concern in nations that depend heavily on natural resources such as Nigeria. In most coastal communities around oil mining areas in Nigeria, drinking water quality, staple food, and livelihoods are primarily dependent on ecological systems and marine resources (e.g., fish). Thus, humans and other receptors are exposed to heavy metal risks through ingestion and dermal contact. This research evaluated the potential ecological risks of heavy metals including Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni), and Lead (Pb) in water, sediments, and shellfishes (Callinectes amnicola, Uca tangeri, Tympanotonus fuscatus, Peneaus monodon) along the Opuroama Creek in Niger Delta, Nigeria. The concentrations of heavy metals were measured in three stations using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and their relative ecological (geo-accumulation index and contamination factor) and human health risk (hazard index and hazard quotient) analysed. The toxicity response indices of the heavy metals indicate that the sediments pose significant ecological risk particularly with Cd. None of the three exposure pathways to heavy metals in the shellfish muscles and age groups pose a non-carcinogenic risk. Total Cancer Risk values for Cd and Cr exceeded the acceptable range (10-6 to 10-4) established by USEPA in children and adults, raising concerns of potential cancer risks following exposure to these metals in the area. This established a significant possibility of heavy metal risks to public health and marine organisms. The study recommends conducting in-depth health analysis and reducing oil spills while providing sustainable livelihoods to the local population.

Pervasiveness, bioaccumulation and subduing environmental health challenges posed by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): A systematic review to settle a one health strategy in Niger Delta, Nigeria

The crude oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria is under threat due to anthropogenic activities that include mainly PAH contamination. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), multiple online searches were conducted using several databases (e.g. Cochrane Library, Scopus, Embase, National Library of Medicine, PubMed etc.) between October and November 2022 to collect evidence on pervasiveness, bioaccumulation and health challenges posed by PAH in Nigeria Niger Delta. Included studies were appraised for quality using the Standard for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence (SQUIRE 2.0) framework and the Joanna Briggs (JB) checklist and retrieved data were analysed using the narrative synthesis method. With the indiscriminate exposure of the local inhabitants to PAH and a lack of public health policies that efficiently prevent exposure-associated adverse health events, there is a need for a collaborative and multi-disciplinary approach, cutting across boundaries of animal, human, and environmental health to undertake risk assessments, develop plans for response and control in an attempt to protect public health. The complex and wide distribution of PAHs within the Niger Delta region would benefit of the One Health strategy. Such systemic approach would help managing the harmful effects of PAHs on ecosystems, from environmental remedial approaches to measures to mitigate exposure-associated risks. One health, including environmental health and food safety, would help risk assessors and risk managers in prioritising actions for the prevention and mitigation of PAHs pollution and its spread and accumulation.

A comprehensive review of heavy metal pollution in the coastal areas of Bangladesh: abundance, bioaccumulation, health implications, and challenges

The coastal zone of Bangladesh, with a population density of 1278 people per square kilometer, is under serious threat due to heavy metal pollution. To date, many studies have been conducted on the heavy metal contamination in soils, water, aquatic animals, and plants in the coastal zone of Bangladesh; however, the available information is dispersed. In this study, previous findings on the contamination levels, distributions, risks, and sources of heavy metals in sediments and organisms were summarized for the first time to present the overall status of heavy metal pollution along coastal regions. Earlier research found that the concentrations of various heavy metals (HMs), particularly Co, Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, Mn, Fe, and Ni in water, sediment, and fish in most coastal locations, were above their permissible limits. High concentrations of HMs were observed in sediments and water, like Cr of 55 mg/kg and 86.93 mg/l in the ship-breaking areas and Karnaphuli River, respectively, in coastal regions of Bangladesh. Heavy metals severely contaminated the Karnaphuli River estuary and ship-breaking area on the Sitakundu coast, where sediments were the ultimate sink of high concentrations of metals. Sedentary or bottom-dwelling organisms like gastropods and shrimp had higher levels of heavy metals than other organisms. As a result, the modified PRISMA review method was used to look at the critical research gap about heavy metal pollution in Bangladesh's coastal areas by analyzing the current research trends and bottlenecks.