Oil Pollution and Public Health: A Bibliometric Review of Trends, Key Contributions, and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Oil spills constitute one of the gravest threats to ecosystems and living beings. Exposure to oil pollution has the potential to yield a range of adverse health consequences for individuals. The aim of this study is to examine the intricate relationship between oil pollution and public health through a bibliometric review. The proposed methodology is broken down into four stages: (1) Search criteria, (2) Data collection, (3) Data processing and software selection, and (4) Data analysis and interpretation. The results highlighted a rise in scientific production over time, peaking in 2019. Research production is predominantly led by the United States. Leading authors in this domain include D. P. Sandler and L. S. Engel, notable for their volume of publications and citations. Co-citation and keyword co-occurrence analyses revealed “oil spill,” “human health,” and “public health” as recurring terms, underlining the core focus of the literature on these subjects. This study concludes that research on oil pollution and public health has surged notably in recent decades, with deep and pressing academic engagement evident in the literature. Future research appears set to follow a robust trajectory, with an increasingly globalized and collaborative emphasis.