Emerging Contaminants最新文献

{"title":"Targeted and non-targeted LC-MS analysis of microcystins in Clarias gariepinus from fishponds","authors":"Odo J. Bassey ,&nbsp;Munyaradzi Mujuru ,&nbsp;Mulalo I. Mutoti ,&nbsp;Adeeyo Adeyemi ,&nbsp;Farai Dondofema ,&nbsp;Jabulani Ray Gumbo","doi":"10.1016/j.emcon.2025.100484","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.emcon.2025.100484","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cyanotoxins produced by cyanobacteria are formidable threats to aquatic ecosystems and public health worldwide. The potential health risks associated with cyanotoxins from contaminated fishponds are becoming a growing concern, as cyanotoxin production has steadily increased over time in these aquatic environments. Therefore, this study aims to utilize targeted and non-targeted Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS) analytical methods to detect cyanotoxins in catfish (<em>Clarias gariepinus</em>) tissue harvested from fishponds. For detecting cyanotoxins in fish tissue utilizing the non-targeted approach, high-resolution MS/MS spectra data obtained from the analysis were converted to mzML format, analyzed with the Global Natural Product Social (GNPS) Library and CANOPUS annotations for LEVEL 3 metabolite identification, and visualized as a molecular network in Cytoscape. Regarding the targeted method, the toxin identification and quantification were achieved by comparing samples spiked with known concentrations of MC-RR and YR to an authentic toxin standard. The results of the target analysis showed that microcystin variant MC-RR was not detected in the fish tissue. The MC-YR variant was detected in the intestines and gills of <em>Clarias gariepinus</em> at concentrations of 13.2–10.6 μg/g and 1.5–13.9 μg/g, respectively. The muscle tissues across all fish ponds showed MC-YR concentrations between 10.5 and 16.06 μg/g. The highest concentration of MC-YR was found in the liver tissue in pond 6 (20.9 μg/g). The untargeted LC-MS method led to the identification of a larger number of cyanometabolites in the fish tissue, such as aeruginosins, anabaenopeptins, microginins. Non-toxic secondary metabolites like octadecadienoic acid, while phosphocholine (PC), ethanesulfonic acid, pheophorbide A, microcolins, cholic acid, phenylalanine, amyl amine and phosphocholine (PC), triglyceride (TG), phosphocholine (PC) and sulfonic acid derieved from cyanobacteria, fish and anthropogenic sources were also detected in the fish tissues. The non-targeted analysis facilitates the identification of both unexpected and unknown compounds.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11539,"journal":{"name":"Emerging Contaminants","volume":"11 2","pages":"Article 100484"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143510985","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exposure assessment of 113 exogenous chemicals simultaneously in serum samples from children in north Shandong, China, and their association with sex, age, and body mass index","authors":"Fenghong Zhang ,&nbsp;Danyang Wang ,&nbsp;Mengxue Zhi,&nbsp;Jianshe Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.emcon.2025.100483","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.emcon.2025.100483","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Children are particularly vulnerable to adverse effects from exposure to environmental chemicals, necessitating comprehensive assessment to mitigate health risks. In this study, we analyzed 477 serum samples from children aged 2–6 years in North Shandong, China, using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to create an exposure profile of 184 exogenous chemicals. These chemicals encompass pesticides, pharmaceuticals, industrial and consumer chemicals, and food additives. Of these, 113 exogenous chemicals were identified above the limit of detection in the serum of at least one child participant, and 37 were detected in more than 30 % of the children. Notably, 17 of the 24 selected perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were detected. PFOA, PFBA, and PFHxS exhibited the highest concentrations, with geometric means of 38.11 ng/mL, 17.39 ng/mL, and 7.35 ng/mL, respectively. The elevated levels of short-chain PFBA suggests increased production and environmental release in recent years. Analysis of sex-based differences revealed significant differences in the serum levels of 11 chemicals, with nine compounds displaying higher concentrations in girls than in boys. Notably, long-chain PFAS, including PFUnDA, PFDA, and PFTrDA, were present at higher concentrations in girls, while short-chain PFHpA and PFBS were higher in boys. Additionally, serum levels of diphenyl phosphate and fipronil sulfone declined slightly with age, indicating heightened exposure risk during early childhood. Positive associations between monoethyl phthalate and fipronil sulfone concentrations with BMI categories were observed, suggesting a potential obesogenic effect of these compounds. This study provides critical insights into the profiles of exogenous chemicals in young children and highlights the need for targeted risk assessment of environmental pollutants impacting pediatric health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11539,"journal":{"name":"Emerging Contaminants","volume":"11 2","pages":"Article 100483"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143508481","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Three-dimensional assessment of heavy metal contamination in soil affected by urbanization at the urban-rural interface of Chengdu","authors":"Rong Liao ,&nbsp;Zeming Shi ,&nbsp;Ke Cheng ,&nbsp;Na Zhang ,&nbsp;Ge Jin ,&nbsp;Dewei Wang ,&nbsp;Kun Lin ,&nbsp;Lvhang Yang ,&nbsp;Kailiang Zhang ,&nbsp;Junji Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.emcon.2025.100482","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.emcon.2025.100482","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Urbanization, particularly the transformation of agricultural land into urban areas, significantly impacts soil quality, especially concerning the concentration and distribution of heavy metals. This study investigates the spatial distribution of six heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, and Zn) in soils at the urban-rural interface of Chengdu, focusing on areas transitioning from agricultural land to urbanized land and back to agricultural land. The study analyzes the three-dimensional spatial distribution of heavy metals and assesses the impact of urbanization on soil contamination. It was found that the top 1-m soil layer exhibited higher concentrations of heavy metals compared to the bedrock and deeper soil layers. A combination of geochemical assessments, including the Ratio of Secondary Phase to Primary Phase (RSP) and the Risk Assessment Code (RAC), was used to evaluate the ecological risks posed by these metals. The findings indicate that Cd is the most hazardous contaminant, with contamination levels being particularly high in older urban areas (N2, Shuangliu) and at river confluences (N6, Huayang). Soils in the old urban area not only had a higher total amount of heavy metals but also had a higher proportion of its heavy metal exchangeable form. These areas face significant ecological risks, and the study suggests that targeted soil remediation strategies should be developed, with a focus on urban soil reclamation and risk mitigation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11539,"journal":{"name":"Emerging Contaminants","volume":"11 2","pages":"Article 100482"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143508480","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Toxicity due to release of microplastic fibres from disposable face masks on marine diatom Chaetoceros sp. and the role of EPS in combating the toxic effects","authors":"B.Y. Neethudas ,&nbsp;Camil Rex M. ,&nbsp;P.K. Suresh ,&nbsp;Amitava Mukherjee","doi":"10.1016/j.emcon.2025.100481","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.emcon.2025.100481","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, disposable face masks have become a significant source of microplastic pollution in marine ecosystems. Diatoms, as primary producers are often used as model organism for aquatic toxicity assessments. Only a limited number of studies have examined the toxicity of mask leachate (ML) on diatoms. However, the toxicity mechanism of ML released at different time intervals is underexplored. Furthermore, the role of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in modulating ML toxicity is also poorly understood. To address these gaps, we investigated the toxicity of ML from three time intervals (1-day, 14-day, and 21-day) on the marine diatom <em>Chaetoceros</em> sp., finding that toxicity increased with time: 21-day ML &gt; 14-day ML &gt; 1-day ML. To assess the toxicity, we have estimated chlorophyll pigment levels, reactive oxygen species, and malondialdehyde levels. Furthermore, the presence of heavy metals in the ML was analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Our results suggest that increased ROS production is a crucial mechanism of toxicity, while EPS reduces toxic effects compared to pristine ML. The interaction of EPS with ML was analyzed using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and 3D-Excitation Emission Matrix spectroscopy. Pearson correlation and heatmap were used to assess the correlations between toxicity endpoints. This study provides critical insights into the environmental impact of ML on marine diatoms and highlights the role of EPS in mitigating ML toxicity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11539,"journal":{"name":"Emerging Contaminants","volume":"11 2","pages":"Article 100481"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143508479","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The deep detoxification of tetrabromobisphenol a in a hybrid reactor system: Iron-based trimetallic and aerobic activated sludge methods","authors":"Chaoyi Zhou ,&nbsp;Weilong Xing ,&nbsp;Zhen Wang ,&nbsp;Wen Gu ,&nbsp;Fenglin Li ,&nbsp;Mengyuan Liang ,&nbsp;Shuai Sun ,&nbsp;Deling Fan ,&nbsp;Lei Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.emcon.2025.100480","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.emcon.2025.100480","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is prevalent in various environmental media and biological matrices, posing considerable ecological and health risks due to its endocrine-disrupting, immunotoxic, neurotoxic, and carcinogenic properties. In this study, we developed an advanced mineralization process for the efficient mineralization of TBBPA, utilizing a hybrid system that combines zero-valent iron (ZVI) technology with an aerobic activated sludge method. A trimetallic material, s-Fe⁰-Cu-Pd, was synthesized by stepwise deposition of copper and palladium onto ZVI to improve its catalytic efficiency in degrading TBBPA. Optimal conditions for TBBPA degradation, including Cu and Pd loading ratios, initial pH, trimetallic dosage, and TBBPA concentration, were systematically investigated. The s-Fe⁰-Cu-Pd catalyst demonstrated superior performance compared to conventional ZVI and bimetallic systems, achieving 97.93 % degradation of TBBPA within 60 min, with BPA identified as the primary degradation product. Subsequent aerobic activated sludge treatment facilitated the complete degradation of intermediate products, achieving a BPA degradation rate of 100 % within 10 h. Electrochemical analyses (CV, EIS, and LSV) and DFT calculations demonstrated enhanced redox activity and electron transfer efficiency of the s-Fe⁰-Cu-Pd. Comprehensive characterization (SEM, XRD, XPS, ESR) and macrogenomic analysis were employed to elucidate the chemical and biological degradation mechanisms and to propose potential degradation pathways. This study represents the first integration of ZVI-based trimetallic catalysts with aerobic activated sludge to enhance TBBPA degradation efficiency, offering a sustainable solution for mitigating the ecological risks associated with TBBPA contamination.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11539,"journal":{"name":"Emerging Contaminants","volume":"11 2","pages":"Article 100480"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143510986","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of maternal Bisphenol A exposure on thyroid hormones and birth anthropometric outcomes: A repeated measures study","authors":"Iman Al-Saleh ,&nbsp;Rola Elkhatib ,&nbsp;Maha Alnemer ,&nbsp;Hesham Aldhalaan ,&nbsp;Mohamed Shoukri","doi":"10.1016/j.emcon.2025.100479","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.emcon.2025.100479","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We investigated the effects of prenatal bisphenol A (BPA) exposure on maternal thyroid hormones and fetal growth outcomes within a cohort from Saudi Arabia. In this prospective study, 672 pregnant women provided 1957 urine samples, which were analyzed for BPA concentrations using UPLC-MS/MS throughout three trimesters. We recorded BPA detection rates and median concentrations, using mixed-effects models to examine the influence on maternal thyroid hormones, specifically free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Additionally, we explored the impact on fetal growth markers such as head circumference (HC) and placental weight (PWT) through multivariable regression, adjusting for confounders. Findings indicated that BPA was present in over 95 % of samples, with a notable decrease in median concentrations from the 1st to the 3rd trimester. Higher BPA exposure correlated with a 2.96 % increase in FT4 levels and a 14.58 % reduction in TSH in the top exposure quartile. Fetal growth analysis showed a decrease of 3.8 % in HC and 15.3 % in PWT associated with high first-trimester BPA levels. Furthermore, FT4 levels in the first and 2nd trimesters mediated the relationship between BPA exposure and fetal growth outcomes by 21.1 % for PWT and 19.1 % for HC, while gestational age mediated 12.1 % of the change in HC. The study highlights significant disruptions in thyroid function and detrimental effects on fetal development due to high BPA exposure, underscoring the need for rigorous monitoring and preventive measures during pregnancy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11539,"journal":{"name":"Emerging Contaminants","volume":"11 2","pages":"Article 100479"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143444987","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) nanomechanical characterization of micro- and nanoplastics to support environmental investigations in groundwater","authors":"Massimiliano Galluzzi ,&nbsp;Michele Lancia ,&nbsp;Chunmiao Zheng ,&nbsp;Viviana Re ,&nbsp;Valter Castelvetro ,&nbsp;Shifeng Guo ,&nbsp;Stefano Viaroli","doi":"10.1016/j.emcon.2025.100478","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.emcon.2025.100478","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Micro and nanoplastic (MNP) pollution is a severe environmental issue, posing potential risks to environmental and human health due to the intrinsic toxicity of plastic particles and their capacity to adsorb other pollutants. The diffusion of plastic debris affects all the environmental domains, including groundwater which was erroneously believed to be protected by the porous structure of the soil. Advanced spectroscopic techniques can detect the polymer type and quantify the number of MNP particles but are affected by large uncertainties in case of particles smaller than 10 μm in size and MNP heteroaggregates. To advance in the morphological and mechanical characterization of MNPs, a new protocol based on multifrequency Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is proposed with the support of the custom open software “MultiFreq AFMSuite”. Reconstituted MNP samples in pristine and aged conditions are used to fine-tune the methodology. Multifrequency AFM allows the detection of MNPs up to the nanometric scale based on elastic modulus assessments. The proposed technique also provides an in-depth analysis of the MNP surface roughness and the morphological characterization of particle aggregates. MNP particles from groundwater samples result in aggregates with a roughness of one to two orders of magnitude higher than the plastic particles aged in the laboratory, suggesting a higher adsorption capacity towards pollutants or other natural compounds. The application of the proposed method can facilitate the characterization of micro-and nanoplastics in groundwater, a resource characterized by large uncertainties in hydrodynamics and pollutant transport.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11539,"journal":{"name":"Emerging Contaminants","volume":"11 2","pages":"Article 100478"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143350783","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microplastics in food products: Prevalence, artificial intelligence based detection, and potential health impacts on humans","authors":"M. Amin Mir ,&nbsp;Muhammad Azhar Ali Khan ,&nbsp;Bimal Krishna Banik ,&nbsp;Syed M. Hasnain ,&nbsp;Lina Alzayer ,&nbsp;K. Andrews ,&nbsp;Sani I. Abba","doi":"10.1016/j.emcon.2025.100477","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.emcon.2025.100477","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microplastic contamination in food products has become a growing concern due to its potential implications for human health, the environment, and food safety. Over the past decade, microplastics have been detected in a wide variety of food items, including seafood, salt, processed foods, and beverages. This review provides a comprehensive description of the sources, detection methods, and health risks associated with microplastics in food. The contamination pathways, including inhalation, and dermal contact, are discussed, with a focus on the most common exposure route—ingestion through contaminated food and water. Among the health hazards that microplastics present include oxidative stress, immune system disturbance, neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and possible carcinogenic consequences. Concerns about nanoplastics' toxicity are heightened by their capacity to cross biological barriers and build up in tissues. The research also highlights the necessity of better detection methods, like multispectral imaging and AI-based algorithms, to increase the precision and effectiveness of microplastic identification in food. It also talks about how crucial it is to comprehend the origins and routes of contamination in order to lessen the impact of microplastics in the food supply chain. Critical future research directions are outlined including the creation of regulatory frameworks to restrict exposure to microplastics, standardized detection techniques, and longitudinal human health studies. The evaluation also highlights the need for comprehensive measures to combat microplastic contamination in food by promoting public awareness campaigns and the creation of sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11539,"journal":{"name":"Emerging Contaminants","volume":"11 2","pages":"Article 100477"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143135102","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Occupational exposure to flame retardants following production replacement and their effect on thyroid function indicators","authors":"Ling Meng ,&nbsp;Tingting Guo ,&nbsp;Yizhi Liu ,&nbsp;Han Wu ,&nbsp;Kang An ,&nbsp;Xizhu Xu ,&nbsp;Yuancheng Li","doi":"10.1016/j.emcon.2025.100476","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.emcon.2025.100476","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>With the ban of commercial Penta-BDEs, Octa-BDEs, and Deca-BDEs, many manufacturers have been transition to the production of novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs), organophosphate ester flame retardants (OPFRs), and other alternatives. In this study, we recruited 165 employees with typical occupational exposure from a flame retardants (FRs) production plant in Laizhou Bay, which is the main FRs production area in China, to analyze the internal exposure characteristics of FRs and their potential impacts on thyroid function during the historical production and replacement process. The results showed that the detection frequencies of only triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), BDE-138 and BDE-197 (82.4 %, 61.2 % and 60.6 %, respectively) exceeded 60 % among the 34 compounds of interest, while the median concentrations of BDE-138 and BDE-197 were much higher than TPHP (medians of 103.6, 60.6 and 20.5 ng/g lw, respectively). In addition, the concentrations of these compounds in exposed group are higher than those in the control group (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). The correlations among FRs indicated they mainly originated from the production and the debromination process. Overall, these results reflect the changes in the product structure. Free triiodothyronine (fT3) was moderately positively correlated with BDE-138, BDE-197, and TPHP (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05), and regression analysis further identified BDE-138 as a significant factor influencing fT3 levels. Despite TPHP having a rapid metabolism and short half-life, it was still widely detected in this study, indicating that future research should not only focus on the health risks of BDEs or their degradation products but also consider the health risks associated with TPHP and their mixed exposure, especially given the increasing production of OPFRs as substitutes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11539,"journal":{"name":"Emerging Contaminants","volume":"11 2","pages":"Article 100476"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143135103","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ecological consequences of antibiotics pollution in sub-Saharan Africa: Understanding sources, pathways, and potential implications","authors":"Asha Ripanda ,&nbsp;Mwemezi J. Rwiza ,&nbsp;Elias Charles Nyanza ,&nbsp;Miraji Hossein ,&nbsp;Mateso Said Alfred ,&nbsp;Alaa El Din Mahmoud ,&nbsp;H.C. Ananda Murthy ,&nbsp;Ramadhani Bakari ,&nbsp;Said Ali Hamad Vuai ,&nbsp;Revocatus L. Machunda","doi":"10.1016/j.emcon.2025.100475","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.emcon.2025.100475","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the increasing use of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine, combined with inadequate waste and water management systems, has intensified the problem of antibiotic pollution. Untreated or partially treated wastewater from industries, agricultural runoff, residential areas, and healthcare facilities is frequently discharged into the environment, often used for irrigation, contributing to antibiotic accumulation, the spread of resistance genes, and the rise of antibiotic resistance, posing serious threats to public health and environmental sustainability. The region's climatic conditions favour the survival and proliferation of microbial communities, including pathogens. Additionally, the high prevalence of infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, which often necessitate antibiotic use, further amplifies the issue. Systemic challenges, including poor waste management, inadequate or absent wastewater treatment infrastructure, weak regulatory enforcement, and the over-the-counter sale of antibiotics, exacerbate the crisis. Limited healthcare access often results in self-medication and improper antibiotic use, accelerating resistance spread. Evidence shows antibiotics in surface water, groundwater, effluents, food crops, environmental samples, and aquatic organisms, indicating their potential circulation through the food chain. However, a lack of comprehensive data on antibiotic pollution and its impacts on aquatic ecosystems in SSA hampers a thorough understanding of its scope and long-term effects. Addressing this crisis requires identifying contamination hotspots, evaluating ecological impacts, and establishing robust, region-specific regulatory frameworks to ensure environmental and public health safety.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11539,"journal":{"name":"Emerging Contaminants","volume":"11 2","pages":"Article 100475"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143534464","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}