Heavy metal and metalloid pollution: A systematic review of health implications for pregnant women, children, and geriatrics in the East African region
Heavy metal(loid) contamination in East Africa is a critical public health challenge, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, children, and the elderly. Despite increasing industrialisation and mining activities in the region, there is a lack of comprehensive analysis a...
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| Format: | Article |
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Elsevier
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Environmental Advances |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666765725000122 |
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| author | Godswill J. Udom Brian Turyahabwe Ayodeji Aturamu Omoirri M. Aziakpono Richard D. Agbana Omole G. Joseph Nita-wills G. Udom Nuru Mugide Omali P. Odey Haron Olot Orish E. Orisakwe |
| author_facet | Godswill J. Udom Brian Turyahabwe Ayodeji Aturamu Omoirri M. Aziakpono Richard D. Agbana Omole G. Joseph Nita-wills G. Udom Nuru Mugide Omali P. Odey Haron Olot Orish E. Orisakwe |
| author_sort | Godswill J. Udom |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Heavy metal(loid) contamination in East Africa is a critical public health challenge, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, children, and the elderly. Despite increasing industrialisation and mining activities in the region, there is a lack of comprehensive analysis addressing the exposure pathways and associated health implications of these toxicants. The study aims to bridge this gap by examining the sources, exposure routes, and health impacts of heavy metal(loid)s in East African communities. The study adopted the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The included studies were assessed for quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklists and analysed using the narrative synthesis method. A risk-of-bias assessment was conducted using the Risk-of-bias VISualization (robvis) tool. The search generated 1025 papers, of which 31 met the inclusion criteria. Findings reveal significant health consequences categorised into maternal complications, developmental effects, and systemic disorders. Maternal exposure to lead, mercury, and cadmium correlates with gestational hypertension, preterm births, and developmental toxicity in offspring. In children, neurodevelopmental delays, reduced cognitive function, and growth impairments are prominent outcomes. The elderly experience exacerbated risks of cardiovascular diseases, renal dysfunction, and neurodegenerative disorders (for example, Parkinsonism and Alzheimer's disease) due to bioaccumulated metals. To mitigate these exposure-associated risks, regional collaborations and public health interventions (e.g., eco-friendly manufacturing processes, effective environmental monitoring policies, and improved waste management systems) must be implemented. To this end, this study provides a foundation for evidence-based strategies to protect vulnerable populations and promote sustainable development in East Africa. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8fe7480f77024d6aabc039ff0aca5130 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2666-7657 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Environmental Advances |
| spelling | doaj-art-8fe7480f77024d6aabc039ff0aca51302025-02-10T04:34:59ZengElsevierEnvironmental Advances2666-76572025-04-0119100620Heavy metal and metalloid pollution: A systematic review of health implications for pregnant women, children, and geriatrics in the East African regionGodswill J. Udom0Brian Turyahabwe1Ayodeji Aturamu2Omoirri M. Aziakpono3Richard D. Agbana4Omole G. Joseph5Nita-wills G. Udom6Nuru Mugide7Omali P. Odey8Haron Olot9Orish E. Orisakwe10Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Ishaka, Uganda; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, PMB 373, Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria; Corresponding author at: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Ishaka, UgandaDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Ishaka, UgandaDepartment of Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, NigeriaDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, PMB 373, Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicine, Kampala International University, Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaCollege of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe-Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, NigeriaDepartment of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, NigeriaDepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Science and Technology, Cavendish University, Kampala, UgandaDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Ishaka, UgandaHealth Initiative for Safety and Stability in Africa, Abuja, NigeriaDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Ishaka, UgandaAfrican Centre of Excellence for Public Health and Toxicological Research (ACE-PUTOR), University of Port Harcourt, PMB, 5323, Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria; Advanced Research Centre, European University of Lefke, TR-10 Mersin, Lefke, Northern Cyprus, TurkeyHeavy metal(loid) contamination in East Africa is a critical public health challenge, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, children, and the elderly. Despite increasing industrialisation and mining activities in the region, there is a lack of comprehensive analysis addressing the exposure pathways and associated health implications of these toxicants. The study aims to bridge this gap by examining the sources, exposure routes, and health impacts of heavy metal(loid)s in East African communities. The study adopted the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The included studies were assessed for quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklists and analysed using the narrative synthesis method. A risk-of-bias assessment was conducted using the Risk-of-bias VISualization (robvis) tool. The search generated 1025 papers, of which 31 met the inclusion criteria. Findings reveal significant health consequences categorised into maternal complications, developmental effects, and systemic disorders. Maternal exposure to lead, mercury, and cadmium correlates with gestational hypertension, preterm births, and developmental toxicity in offspring. In children, neurodevelopmental delays, reduced cognitive function, and growth impairments are prominent outcomes. The elderly experience exacerbated risks of cardiovascular diseases, renal dysfunction, and neurodegenerative disorders (for example, Parkinsonism and Alzheimer's disease) due to bioaccumulated metals. To mitigate these exposure-associated risks, regional collaborations and public health interventions (e.g., eco-friendly manufacturing processes, effective environmental monitoring policies, and improved waste management systems) must be implemented. To this end, this study provides a foundation for evidence-based strategies to protect vulnerable populations and promote sustainable development in East Africa.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666765725000122Heavy metal exposureEast AfricaMaternal healthCongenital anomaliesNeurodevelopmental toxicityEnvironmental pollution |
| spellingShingle | Godswill J. Udom Brian Turyahabwe Ayodeji Aturamu Omoirri M. Aziakpono Richard D. Agbana Omole G. Joseph Nita-wills G. Udom Nuru Mugide Omali P. Odey Haron Olot Orish E. Orisakwe Heavy metal and metalloid pollution: A systematic review of health implications for pregnant women, children, and geriatrics in the East African region Environmental Advances Heavy metal exposure East Africa Maternal health Congenital anomalies Neurodevelopmental toxicity Environmental pollution |
| title | Heavy metal and metalloid pollution: A systematic review of health implications for pregnant women, children, and geriatrics in the East African region |
| title_full | Heavy metal and metalloid pollution: A systematic review of health implications for pregnant women, children, and geriatrics in the East African region |
| title_fullStr | Heavy metal and metalloid pollution: A systematic review of health implications for pregnant women, children, and geriatrics in the East African region |
| title_full_unstemmed | Heavy metal and metalloid pollution: A systematic review of health implications for pregnant women, children, and geriatrics in the East African region |
| title_short | Heavy metal and metalloid pollution: A systematic review of health implications for pregnant women, children, and geriatrics in the East African region |
| title_sort | heavy metal and metalloid pollution a systematic review of health implications for pregnant women children and geriatrics in the east african region |
| topic | Heavy metal exposure East Africa Maternal health Congenital anomalies Neurodevelopmental toxicity Environmental pollution |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666765725000122 |
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