Article
Environmental Sciences
Usama Alshana, Beril Altun, Nusret Ertas, Gonca cakmak, Ela Kadioglu, Deniz Hisarli, Elif Asik, Esref Atabey, Celalettin Rumi celebi, Nazmi Bilir, Hakan Serge, A. Murat Tuncer, Sema Burgaz
Summary: This study investigated the exposure, metabolism, and health effects of arsenic contamination in drinking water in the Central Anatolian region of Turkey. It was found that residents in the exposed group were chronically exposed to low-to-moderate levels of arsenic, but there was no significant increase in the frequency of skin lesions. Long-term follow-up studies are necessary to further understand the health effects in this region.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Arun Kumar, Mohammad Ali, Ranjit Kumar, Mukesh Kumar, Prity Sagar, Ritu Kumari Pandey, Vivek Akhouri, Vikas Kumar, Gautam Anand, Pintoo Kumar Niraj, Rita Rani, Santosh Kumar, Dhruv Kumar, Akhouri Bishwapriya, Ashok Kumar Ghosh
Summary: The relationship between arsenic poisoning and cancer, especially the carcinoma type, is significant, with higher risk for those affected in the Gangetic plains region near the Ganges river. Blood arsenic levels in cancer patients are considerably higher, indicating a strong correlation. The study emphasizes the need to address the root cause of increased cancer incidences in Bihar's Gangetic basin and its connection to arsenic poisoning.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Habib Ur Rehman, Saeed Ahmed, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Muhammad Sajid Mehmood
Summary: This study evaluates the arsenic concentration and associated health risks in groundwater extracted from tube wells. The findings show that 82% of the collected water samples exceeded the permissible limit of arsenic set by the World Health Organization. Individuals who consumed arsenic-contaminated water for more than 20 years exhibited severe symptoms. Skin pigmentation, skin irritation, and numbness of the body were recognized as major symptoms significantly correlated with arsenic concentration. The health risk assessment also indicates a possibility of cancer risk in the community.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mamoona Amir, Salman Asghar, Muhammad Ahsin, Shahid Hussain, Amir Ismail, Muhammad Riaz, Safina Naz
Summary: Arsenic is one of the most toxic metalloids for humans, with contaminated drinking water and food items being the main sources of exposure worldwide. A study in Multan, Pakistan, found significantly higher levels of arsenic in exposed areas compared to control areas, with drinking groundwater exceeding safe limits. The health risks associated with drinking arsenic-contaminated water were found to be much higher than those from consuming contaminated vegetables.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jonathan V. Lewis, Emily A. Knapp, Shivani Bakre, Aisha S. Dickerson, Theresa M. Bastain, Casper Bendixsen, Deborah H. Bennett, Carlos A. Camargo, Andrea E. Cassidy-Bushrow, Elena Colicino, Viren D'Sa, Dana Dabelea, Sean Deoni, Anne L. Dunlop, Amy J. Elliott, Shohreh F. Farzan, Assiamira Ferrara, Rebecca C. Fry, Tina Hartert, Caitlin G. Howe, Linda G. Kahn, Margaret R. Karagas, Teng-Fei Ma, Daphne Koinis-Mitchell, Debra MacKenzie, Luis E. Maldonado, Francheska M. Merced-Nieves, Jenae M. Neiderhiser, Anne E. Nigra, Zhongzheng Niu, Sara S. Nozadi, Zorimar Rivera-Nunez, Thomas G. O'Connor, Sarah Osmundson, Amy M. Padula, Alicia K. Peterson, Allison R. Sherris, Anne Starling, Jennifer K. Straughen, Rosalind J. Wright, Qi Zhao, Amii M. Kress
Summary: This study examined the relationship between preconception and prenatal exposure to arsenic violations in drinking water and birth outcomes. The results showed that continuous exposure to arsenic in drinking water was associated with higher birth weight. However, no significant associations were found between preconception or prenatal exposure to arsenic violations and other birth outcomes.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Kianoush Khosravi-Darani, Yasir Rehman, Ioannis A. Katsoyiannis, Evgenios Kokkinos, Anastasios I. Zouboulis
Summary: Arsenic poisoning is a major health threat to humans, with hotspots detected worldwide. Asia has the highest percentage of significantly contaminated sites. Arsenic enters ecosystems through natural or anthropogenic activities, accumulating in food and water sources. This review focuses on identifying areas with elevated arsenic concentrations and discussing treatment technologies for contaminated water to reduce population exposure.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kathryn Demanelis, Dayana A. Delgado, Lin Tong, Farzana Jasmine, Alauddin Ahmed, Tariqul Islam, Faruque Parvez, Muhammad G. Kibriya, Joseph H. Graziano, Habibul Ahsan, Brandon L. Pierce
Summary: The study found an association between arsenic exposure and somatic loss of the Y chromosome (LoY) in Bangladeshi men, with LoY being linked to an increased risk of developing skin lesions. The percentage of cells with LoY increased with age, suggesting LoY may be a biomarker of susceptibility in populations exposed to arsenic.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zeyu Xiao, Haonan Liu, Xincun Tang, Zanlang Tang
Summary: A method for removing arsenic and recovering antimony from high-arsenic soot was proposed, using a combination of sodium sulfide-sodium hydroxide leaching and aluminum sheet addition. The process effectively achieved high leaching rates for both arsenic and antimony, and achieved a high recovery rate for antimony through the use of lime-precipitation method.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fan Yang, Aihua Zhang
Summary: This study investigates the impact of N6-methyladenosine (m(6)A) modification on the inflammatory homeostasis of arsenic-induced skin lesions. The researchers found abnormal expression of m(6)A RNA methylation regulators and cytokines in the arsenic-exposed population. Results from experiments on human keratinocytes showed that arsenite increased m(6)A methylation levels by upregulating the RNA methyltransferase like 3 (METTL3), leading to dysregulated secretion of inflammatory homeostasis indicators (IL-6, IL-17, and IL-10). The study also confirmed the association between METTL3, inflammatory homeostasis, and arsenic-induced skin lesions using human skin samples.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jennifer Rowan, Katarzyna Kordas, Elena Queirolo, Marie Vahter, Nelly Manay, Fabiana Peregalli, Gauri Desai
Summary: This study aimed to assess the extent to which consumption of household drinking water contributes to arsenic and lead exposure among Uruguayan schoolchildren with low-level exposure. The results showed that exposure to toxicants through drinking water intake was low and there was no association between drinking water intake and the respective toxicant biomarker concentrations.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Asif Javed, Zakir Ullah Baig, Abida Farooqi
Summary: This study investigated water quality, specifically arsenic contamination, in the Punjab plains of Pakistan. Arsenic concentrations were found to be highest in well water from the Ravi River flood plain, posing potential health risks for consumers and long-term irrigation practices leading to arsenic accumulation in paddy soil. Salinity levels varied across geographic units, with lower levels in flood plains and higher levels in Doabs.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maya Spaur, Benjamin C. Bostick, Steven N. Chillrud, Pam Factor-Litvak, Ana Navas-Acien, Anne E. Nigra
Summary: Our objective was to evaluate regional and sociodemographic inequalities in water arsenic exposure reductions associated with the US Environmental Protection Agency's Final Arsenic Rule. We analyzed data from the 2003-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and found that reductions in urinary rDMA following the Final Arsenic Rule were highest among participants with the highest CWS arsenic concentrations, supporting legislation can benefit those who need it the most, although additional efforts are still needed to address remaining inequalities in CWS arsenic exposure.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Humairat H. Rahman, Walker Toohey, Stuart H. Munson-McGee
Summary: Skin cancer, classified into melanoma and nonmelanoma types, affects millions of people worldwide every year. The toxicity of metals, such as arsenic, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pose significant health risks and can lead to various diseases, including cancer. This study aimed to analyze the correlation between multiple arsenic, PAHs, metals, and the occurrence of skin cancer in US adults. The findings showed significant associations between certain metals and skin cancer, emphasizing the importance of further research in humans. Evaluation: 9/10.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ahmed Bedaiwi, Ashley Wysong, Eleanor G. Rogan, Dillon Clarey, Christine M. Arcari
Summary: The study did not find a relationship between the incidence of melanoma and exposure to arsenic among US adults. Nonmunicipal water sources were associated with nonmelanoma skin cancer and should be further investigated.
PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Mohammad Idreesh Khan, Md Faruque Ahmad, Irfan Ahmad, Fauzia Ashfaq, Shadma Wahab, Abdulrahman A. Alsayegh, Sachil Kumar, Khalid Rehman Hakeem
Summary: Dietary arsenic contamination is a major public health issue, with rice being a main source of exposure in South East Asian countries. The impact of arsenic exposure on health outcomes varies among different age groups, with arsenic being linked to a range of non-communicable diseases.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kalpana Singh, Shivani A. Patel, Suddhendu Biswas, Roopa Shivashankar, Dimple Kondal, Vamadevan S. Ajay, Ranjit Mohan Anjana, Zafar Fatmi, Mohammed K. Ali, M. Masood Kadir, Viswanathan Mohan, Nikhil Tandon, K. M. Venkat Narayan, Dorairaj Prabhakaran
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2019)
Meeting Abstract
Surgery
Sameen Siddiqi, Muhammad Sohaib Khan, Narjis Rizvi, Imran Naeem, Sadaf Khan
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SURGEONS
(2019)
Article
Surgery
Sameen Siddiqi, Muhammad Sohaib Khan, Narjis Rizvi, Imran Naeem, Shafquat Rozi, Ather Enam, Sadaf Khan
WORLD JOURNAL OF SURGERY
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zafar Fatmi, Georgia Ntani, David Coggon
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2020)
Article
Neurosciences
Sajid Hameed, Maria Khan, Zafar Fatmi, Mohammad Wasay
Summary: The study revealed a significant drop in air quality index and a decrease of over 50% in the number of stroke admissions at a major tertiary hospital in Karachi during the lockdown period. The authors hypothesize that the reduction in stroke admissions may be due to an actual decrease in stroke incidence resulting from the improvement in air quality.
JOURNAL OF STROKE & CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Zahid Hyder Wadani, Iqbal Azam, Muhammad Irfan, Zafar Fatmi
Summary: Pesticide use was found to be associated with a nearly doubled risk of both restrictive and obstructive lung dysfunction with each increasing year of exposure to pesticides. Reliable monitoring and reporting procedures, along with appropriate environmental policies and regulations for pesticide handling, are needed. Interventional studies should be conducted to train farmers on the proper use of personal protective equipment to limit pesticide exposure.
ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Imran Naeem Abbasi, Zafar Fatmi, Sameen Siddiqi
Summary: This study aims to determine the improvement in service volumes in contracted primary and secondary healthcare facilities and explore the perceptions and experiences of health managers and patients. The results showed an improvement in key performance indicators compared to baseline, but issues with budget allocation and utilization, staff appointment, and coordination among stakeholders were identified as barriers.
JOURNAL OF THE PAKISTAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Imran Naeem, Sameen Siddiqi, Amna Rehana Siddiqui, Rumina Hasan
Summary: This study explored the experiences and perceptions of health system stakeholders in a rural district of Sindh, Pakistan regarding the barriers to effective surveillance of communicable diseases. The study found that poor governance, lack of policy framework, resource deficiencies, and absence of private sector engagement were the major factors contributing to the weak surveillance infrastructure.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Waqas Hameed, Anam Shahil Feroz, Bilal Iqbal Avan, Bushra Khan, Zafar Fatmi, Noreen Afzal, Hussain Jafri, Mansoor Ali Wassan, Sameen Siddiqi
Summary: This study explores the mental health impact and needs of public sector healthcare workers in Pakistan during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study identifies the fear of infection, social isolation, and excessive workload as key factors affecting the mental health of healthcare professionals. The study also highlights the need for counselling services, safe working conditions, and appreciation and motivation for healthcare professionals in order to address their mental health needs.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Waqas Hameed, Bilal Iqbal Avan, Anam Shahil Feroz, Bushra Khan, Zafar Fatmi, Hussain Jafri, Mansoor Ali Wassan, Sameen Siddiqi
Summary: This study explored the mental health impact of COVID-19 on primary healthcare workers and sought suggestions and recommendations to address their mental health needs. Interviews revealed that there was fear, stress, and anxiety among healthcare workers due to lack of information, false rumors, and inadequate personal protective measures. Training, provision of personal protective equipment, and emotional support from coworkers were found to be effective in addressing their mental health needs. The study also highlighted the importance of appreciation, recognition, and psychosocial support from mental health professionals.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Imran Naeem Abbasi, Sameen Siddiqi
Summary: A functional referral system for health emergencies requires coordinated efforts between health system stakeholders and the community, as demonstrated in the implementation of the Rural Health Programme (RHP) Thatta platform. Engagement of community volunteers as focal points in each village has improved patients' experiences with the referral system, but challenges such as out-of-pocket transport expenses, weak back referral links, lack of trust, and poor availability of medicines still exist.
JOURNAL OF THE PAKISTAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Muhammad Asim, Sarah Saleem, Zarak Husain Ahmed, Imran Naeem, Farina Abrejo, Zafar Fatmi, Sameen Siddiqi
Summary: This study in Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan explores the multifaceted barriers inhibiting women from seeking maternal and newborn health care, including individual distrust, inadequate symptom recognition, aversion to biomedical interventions, and expensive transportation services. Capacity development, health awareness, and structural interventions are recommended to address these barriers and reduce maternal and neonatal mortality.
Article
Criminology & Penology
Meesha Iqbal, Zafar Fatmi
Summary: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is prevalent in Pakistan, with emotional violence at 36.4% and physical violence at 18.4%. Factors such as husband's age, alcohol intake, and educational status are associated with emotional and physical violence. Further studies are needed to explore underlying factors and regional variations for effective interventions.
JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nalini Sathiakumar, Meghan Tipre, Rajitha Wickremasinghe, Vinod Bhat, Muhammad Masood Kadir, David Coggon, Arunasalem Pathemeswaran, Ramachandra Kamath, G. Arunkumar, Zafar Fatmi, Tamika L. Smith, Sanjay M. Pattanshetty, Elizabeth Delzell
GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH
(2019)
