Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Health Risks from Intake and Contact with Toxic Metal-Contaminated Water from Pager River, Uganda

Researchers investigated the concentrations of lead and cadmium in the Pager River in Uganda, a tributary of the Nile, and assessed associated human health risks. The study found that water from certain sampling points posed potential health risks through both ingestion and skin contact, highlighting the importance of monitoring toxic metals in water sources used by local communities.

2023 Journal of Xenobiotics 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risk assessment of river Ganges in different climatic conditions and regions of Uttarakhand, India

Researchers assessed health risks from heavy metals in the Ganges River, finding elevated arsenic at some sites and correlations between physicochemical parameters and metal concentrations.

2023 Research Square (Research Square)
Article Tier 2

Risk assessment of potentially toxic elements in water, sediment, aquatic mussels, and edible crops from a gold-mining-stressed river in Northern Nigeria

Researchers assessed potentially toxic element contamination from artisanal gold mining in a Nigerian river, finding cadmium, chromium, lead, copper, and nickel concentrations exceeding WHO guidelines by roughly tenfold in water, with bioaccumulation in mussels and crops posing significant non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks to local populations.

2026 Discover Chemistry.
Article Tier 2

Enrichment, Bioaccumulation and Health Risks of Trace Metals in Soils and Leafy Vegetables Grown on the Banks of the Ugandan Lifeline River, River Rwizi

Researchers measured six trace metals in soil and leafy vegetables grown along the banks of Uganda's River Rwizi near urban areas. The study found elevated metal concentrations linked to urbanization and industrial activities, with some vegetables accumulating metals at levels that could pose health risks to people who regularly eat produce from these riverside farms.

2024 World 4 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

A Systematic Review of Contaminants of Concern in Uganda: Occurrence, Sources, Potential Risks, and Removal Strategies

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.

2023 Pollutants 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Many oil wells, one evil: comprehensive assessment of toxic metals concentration, seasonal variation and human health risk in drinking water quality in areas surrounding crude oil exploration facilities in rivers state, Nigeria

Researchers assessed toxic metal concentrations in drinking water near crude oil exploration facilities in Nigeria, finding seasonal variations and levels exceeding safety thresholds that pose serious health risks to surrounding communities.

2022 International Journal of Hydrology 38 citations
Article Tier 2

Potential of Heavy Metals and Microplastics Contamination in River Mpanga, Fort Portal, Kabarole District, Uganda

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.

2024 Nature Environment and Pollution Technology 3 citations
Article Tier 2

The influence of the acid water of the Banyupait River on the community health in Bantal village, Asembagus, Indonesia

This study examined how acidic water from the Banyupait River, influenced by volcanic activity and acid mine drainage, affects community health in surrounding areas. The authors documented elevated heavy metal concentrations and associated health complaints among residents who use the river water, calling for improved water supply infrastructure.

2024 Water Science & Technology
Article Tier 2

Heavy Metal Contamination in Surface Water of Harike Wetland, India: Source and Health Risk Assessment

Researchers measured levels of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and zinc in the surface water of Harike Wetland in India across different seasons. They found that cadmium and lead exceeded safe drinking water standards, particularly during winter months, with industrial discharge and agricultural runoff identified as primary sources. The health risk assessment indicated that these contaminated waters pose potential non-cancer health risks, especially for children.

2023 Water 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Many Oil Wells, One Evil: Potentially toxic metals concentration, seasonal variation and Human Health Risk Assessment in Drinking Water Quality in Ebocha-Obrikom Oil and Gas Area of Rivers State, Nigeria

Researchers assessed heavy metal concentrations and seasonal variation in drinking water from an oil and gas extraction area in Nigeria, finding contamination levels that pose significant human health risks including potential neurological and carcinogenic effects.

2021 29 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment of metal concentrations from recreational rivers in a tropical region (Jengka, Malaysia)

Researchers measured iron, manganese, and lead concentrations in two recreational rivers in Malaysia, finding that lead levels exceeded safe thresholds and that children face higher health risks than adults from both non-cancer and cancer effects, highlighting the need for stronger water quality monitoring near recreational waterways.

2022 Applied Water Science 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Deciphering geospatial variations in water quality of a perennial river for human consumption and agricultural application

Researchers analyzed geospatial variation in water quality along a perennial river to assess human health risks from drinking water exposure, identifying hotspots of contamination exceeding safety thresholds. The study provides a risk-based framework for prioritizing water treatment interventions.

2024 Water Practice & Technology
Article Tier 2

Assessment of seasonal variation of heavy metal pollution and health risk in surface sediments at the Karnaphuli River confluences of Chattogram, Bangladesh

This paper is not directly about microplastics; it assesses seasonal heavy metal pollution in river sediments at Chattogram, Bangladesh, focusing on contamination indices and health risks from dermal exposure to metals like cadmium, lead, and arsenic.

2023 Research Square (Research Square)
Review Tier 2

A review of the current status of the water quality in the Nile water basin

This review summarizes water quality data from the Nile River basin across 11 African countries, documenting contamination from heavy metals, organic pollutants, and emerging contaminants including microplastics. Rapid population growth, industrialization, and poor waste management are driving pollution levels up, threatening the water supply for hundreds of millions of people. The findings underscore the need for better monitoring and coordinated policies to protect this critical water resource.

2024 Bulletin of the National Research Centre/Bulletin of the National Research Center 23 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Shrimp and Water from the Great Kwa River: Implications for Human Health and Aquatic Ecosystems

Researchers measured heavy metal concentrations in shrimp and water samples from Nigeria's Great Kwa River. The study found elevated levels of several toxic metals linked to oil exploration and industrial activities, with some metals in shrimp tissue exceeding safe consumption limits, raising concerns about health risks for local communities who rely on river shellfish as a food source.

2024 International Journal of Biochemistry Research & Review 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment of stream quality and health risks in Indonesian river systems: A social analysis and water quality index approach

Researchers assessed water quality in three Indonesian rivers used by local communities, finding microplastics — primarily polyethylene and polypropylene — alongside elevated levels of iron, lead, and manganese, with residents reporting rising rates of skin disease and diarrhea linked to polluted water use.

2025 Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering 3 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Emerging Pollutants in Uganda: A Systematic Review

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.

2023 Preprints.org
Article Tier 2

Bioaccumulation and potential sources of heavy metal contamination in fish species in River Ganga basin: Possible human health risks evaluation

Researchers assessed heavy metal contamination in seven commonly consumed fish species from the Ganga River basin in India, measuring zinc, lead, copper, cadmium, and chromium levels. They found that chromium, cadmium, and lead concentrations in river water exceeded safe limits at all sampling sites, with the highest metal accumulation occurring in fish liver tissue. The health risk assessment indicated potential long-term hazards for human populations consuming fish from these contaminated river segments.

2019 Toxicology Reports 346 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Potential health risks from contaminated fish in Lake Victoria: A 25-year systematic review of pollutants and management challenges

Mercury concentrations in Lake Victoria fish ranged from 3.4 ng/g to 335,000 ng/g dry weight, frequently exceeding international safety limits, with Nile perch liver tissue accumulating the highest contaminant loads. Detected pollutants also included organochlorine pesticides, PCBs, PFAS, and microplastics, all linked to neurotoxicity, carcinogenicity, and endocrine disruption risks.

2025 The Science of The Total Environment
Article Tier 2

Potential Toxic-Element Pollution in Surface Water and Its Implications for Aquatic and Human Health: Source–Pathway–Receptor Model

Researchers assessed toxic element pollution in surface water near gold mining operations in South Africa, finding elevated levels of heavy metals that pose risks to both aquatic life and human health. They used a source-pathway-receptor model to trace how pollutants from mine tailings move through the environment. The study highlights the significant water quality threats that mining activities create for surrounding communities and ecosystems.

2023 Water 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Physico-Chemical and microbiological analysis of the loopspruit river, north west province: A metagenomic approach

Researchers conducted physicochemical and microbiological analysis of the Loopspruit River in North West Province, South Africa, using a metagenomic approach to characterize water quality affected by agricultural runoff, stormwater, sewage, and mining activities. The study identified elevated levels of chemical contaminants and diverse microbial communities including potential pathogens, highlighting the multiple pollution pressures on this water body.

2022 Water Science & Technology Water Supply 2 citations
Article Tier 2

The Impact of Industrialization, Urbanization, and Drought on Heavy Metal Contamination in River Systems in Kwazulu-natal, South Africa: a Cross-sectional Study.

This cross-sectional study in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa investigated how industrialization, urbanization, and drought interact to drive heavy metal contamination in river systems, finding that low water levels during drought amplify pollutant concentrations.

2025
Article Tier 2

Accumulation and ecotoxicological risk assessment of heavy metals in surface sediments of the Olt River, Romania

Researchers measured eight heavy metals in sediments along Romania's Olt River and found contamination levels far exceeding national safety standards at most sites — particularly arsenic — with statistical analysis pointing to industrial and human activities as the primary sources, posing ongoing risks to freshwater ecosystems and human health.

2022 Scientific Reports 81 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Evaluating Nandini River Water Quality: a Systematic Review of Physicochemical Studies

This systematic review of physicochemical studies on the Nandini River found that water quality parameters including dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, and heavy metal concentrations frequently exceeded safe limits due to industrial and domestic discharge. The research highlights how river pollution from inadequate wastewater treatment can affect public health, a concern compounded by the presence of microplastics in similarly polluted waterways.

2023 International Journal of Membrane Science and Technology