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A Systematic Review of Contaminants of Concern in Uganda: Occurrence, Sources, Potential Risks, and Removal Strategies
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This systematic review looked at pollutants threatening Uganda's environment and public health, including microplastics alongside heavy metals, pesticides, and pharmaceutical residues. The study found these contaminants at levels well above safety standards in water sources, raising concerns about antibiotic resistance, hormone disruption, and cancer risk. It highlights how poor wastewater treatment in developing countries can lead to widespread contamination of drinking water.
Contaminants of concern (CoCs) pose significant threats to Uganda’s ecosystems and public health, particularly in the face of rapid urbanization, industrial expansion, and intensified agriculture. This systematic review comprehensively analyzed Uganda’s CoC landscape, addressing imminent challenges that endanger the country’s ecosystems and public health. CoCs, originating from urban, industrial, and agricultural activities, encompass a wide range of substances, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pesticides, industrial chemicals, heavy metals, radionuclides, biotoxins, disinfection byproducts, hydrocarbons, and microplastics. This review identified the major drivers of CoC dispersion, particularly wastewater and improper waste disposal practices. From an initial pool of 887 articles collected from reputable databases such as PubMed, African Journal Online (AJOL), Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, 177 pertinent studies were extracted. The literature review pointed to the presence of 57 pharmaceutical residues and personal care products, along with 38 pesticide residues and 12 heavy metals, across various environmental matrices, such as wastewater, groundwater, seawater, rainwater, surface water, drinking water, and pharmaceutical effluents. CoC concentrations displayed significant levels exceeding established regulations, varying based on the specific locations, compounds, and matrices. This review underscores potential ecological and health consequences associated with CoCs, including antibiotic resistance, endocrine disruption, and carcinogenicity. Inefficiencies in traditional wastewater treatment methods, coupled with inadequate sanitation practices in certain areas, exacerbate the contamination of Uganda’s aquatic environments, intensifying environmental and health concerns. To address these challenges, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) emerge as promising and efficient alternatives for CoC degradation and the prevention of environmental pollution. Notably, no prior studies have explored the management and mitigation of these contaminants through AOP application within various aqueous matrices in Uganda. This review emphasizes the necessity of specific regulations, improved data collection, and public awareness campaigns, offering recommendations for advanced wastewater treatment implementation, the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, and the enforcement of source control measures. Furthermore, it highlights the significance of further research to bridge knowledge gaps and devise effective policies and interventions. Ultimately, this comprehensive analysis equips readers, policymakers, and regulators with vital knowledge for informed decision-making, policy development, and the protection of public health and the environment.
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Emerging Pollutants in Uganda: A Systematic Review
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This systematic review catalogs emerging pollutants in Uganda, including pharmaceuticals, pesticides, heavy metals, and microplastics, found across different environmental settings. Rapid urbanization and industrial growth in the country have introduced these contaminants into water and soil, posing growing risks to public health.
Potential of Heavy Metals and Microplastics Contamination in River Mpanga, Fort Portal, Kabarole District, Uganda
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Researchers assessed heavy metal and microplastic contamination in the Mpanga River near Fort Portal, Uganda, collecting water and sediment samples from multiple sites. They found measurable levels of both pollutant types, driven by industrialization, agriculture, and urbanization in the catchment area. The study provides important baseline data on emerging contaminant pollution in East African freshwater systems.
Assessment of Microplastic Pollution in Lubigi Wetland, Uganda: Spatial Distribution and Source Pathways
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Scientists studying a major urban wetland in Kampala, Uganda found it's contaminated with microplastics, mostly tiny plastic beads and fragments that settle into the mud and collect in certain "hotspot" areas fed by city runoff and wastewater. This matters because wetlands like this one often filter water before it reaches communities or farmland, so plastic pollution here could make its way into drinking water, fish, or crops—and eventually into people. The findings highlight the need for better waste management and monitoring, especially in fast-growing African cities where this kind of pollution is understudied.
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This systematic review found that pesticides, microplastics, and other contaminants enter Ghana's drinking water through agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and poor disposal practices. The findings show concerning levels of these pollutants in water sources, posing health risks including potential hormonal disruption and long-term toxicity for communities that depend on these water supplies.
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This systematic review examines emerging contaminants in water resources across the Americas, including microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products. The findings show that current water treatment systems are often inadequate for removing these pollutants, meaning people may be exposed to microplastics and other harmful substances through their drinking water.
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