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Risks to Human Health Caused by Exposure to Wastewater Contaminated with Metals and Microplastics

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 4187

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Paulo Henrique Rocha Aride

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Morphophysiology Laboratory, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Amazonas–IFAM, Manaus 69020-120, Brazil
Interests: water quality; human health; chemical agents; pollutants; animal production; ecology; effluents; toxicology; waterborne diseases; water resources; chronic exposure

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The current situation regarding water resources is becoming more worrying every day, as the world population is growing rapidly, requiring more and more natural resources for its survival. The continuous process of urbanization and the development of urban agglomerations are significant factors in this process, as undeveloped areas become developed, leading to modifications to the environment and the generation of waste and emissions. Furthermore, the need to produce food, both of animal and plant origin, amplifies the effects from the process of modifying environments and their resources. In this sense, the continuous process of water resource use has caused drastic modifications to water using biological and chemical agents, which pose potential risks to human health. Water, as a vital resource for maintaining life, is essential in maintaining the homeostasis of organisms. The quality of this resource is essential to public health and the survival of organisms. We will address several types of problems related to water contamination, such as waterborne infections, diarrhea, vomiting, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and contamination of the trophic chain by heavy metals, among others. Furthermore, we must take into consideration studies that demonstrate the synergistic processes of contaminating agents. Chronic exposure to contaminated water can result in severe public health problems.

Prof. Dr. Paulo Henrique Rocha Aride
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • contamination
  • water resources
  • effluents
  • waterborne diseases
  • chronic exposure

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

9 pages, 304 KiB  
Article
Consumption of Bottled Water and Chronic Diseases: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study
by Jacopo Dolcini, Manuela Chiavarini, Giorgio Firmani, Elisa Ponzio, Marcello Mario D’Errico and Pamela Barbadoro
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(8), 1074; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21081074 - 15 Aug 2024
Viewed by 2659
Abstract
Plastic pollution is a growing concern. It can form smaller particles called microplastics (<5 mm). Microplastics can break down into even smaller pieces called nanoplastics (<1 μm). These minute particles can infiltrate human cells and tissues, with their health impacts still largely undetermined. [...] Read more.
Plastic pollution is a growing concern. It can form smaller particles called microplastics (<5 mm). Microplastics can break down into even smaller pieces called nanoplastics (<1 μm). These minute particles can infiltrate human cells and tissues, with their health impacts still largely undetermined. On average, a liter of bottled water includes about 240,000 tiny pieces of plastic. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between the use of bottled plastic water (BW) and several health outcomes. Utilizing data from the Italian National Institute of Statistics’ “Aspects of Daily Life” survey (N = 45,597), we employed logistic regression to explore the correlation between BW consumption and the prevalence of various chronic diseases, including hypertension, gastric/duodenal ulcers, and kidney stones. Adjustments were made for covariates such as education, age, gender, and economic resources. Our analysis indicated a statistically significant association between BW consumption and increased risk of hypertension (Odds ratio [OR] = 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00–1.11), diabetes (OR = 1.09, 95% CI 1.01–1.18), gastric/duodenal ulcers (OR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.07–1.38), and kidney stones (OR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.03–1.32). The consumption of BW is associated with heightened risk for certain health conditions. Policymakers and healthcare providers should consider implementing targeted prevention strategies and awareness campaigns. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risks to Human Health Caused by Exposure to Wastewater Contaminated with Metals and Microplastics)
27 pages, 5204 KiB  
Article
Effect of Moringa oleifera Seeds Powder on Metallic Trace Elements Concentrations in a Wastewater Treatment Plant in Senegal
by Nini Sané, Malick Mbengue, Seyni Ndoye, Serge Stoll, John Poté and Philippe Le Coustumer
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(8), 1031; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21081031 - 5 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1251
Abstract
A wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) prototype coupled with Moringa oleifera seeds (MOSs) was developed to evaluate its effectiveness to reduce metallic trace elements (MTEs) in domestic wastewater. The WWTP is composed of a septic tank (F0) where wastewater is treated by biological processes [...] Read more.
A wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) prototype coupled with Moringa oleifera seeds (MOSs) was developed to evaluate its effectiveness to reduce metallic trace elements (MTEs) in domestic wastewater. The WWTP is composed of a septic tank (F0) where wastewater is treated by biological processes under anaerobic conditions, followed by a bacterial filter (F1) where wastewater is filtered under aerobic conditions, followed by an infiltration well (F2), which provides additional filtration of wastewater before discharge into the soil. MTEs present in waters can bind with humic substances contained in colloid particles and then be eliminated by coagulation–flocculation with a cationic polyelectrolyte. MOSs contain positively charged cationic polymers that can neutralize the colloids contained in waters, which are negatively charged. Based on this observation, 300 mg·L−1 of MOS was added into F0, 50 mg·L−1 into F1, and 50 mg·L−1 into F2 mg·L−1. MOS activation in samples was performed by stirring rapidly for 1.5 min, followed by 5 min of gentle stirring and 3 h of settling. The data analysis shows that wastewater samples had significant concentrations of MTEs, particularly for Cu, Ni, Sr, and Ti, and sediment samples had high amounts of Cr, Cu, Ni, Sr, Ti, and V. The addition of MOS to F0, F1, and F2 samples resulted in reductions in MTE concentration of up to 36%, 71%, 71%, 29%, 93%, 81%, 13%, 52%, and 67% for Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, Ti, and V, respectively. The quantified MTEs (As, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Se and V) in treated samples were reported to be lower than UN-EP standards for a safe reuse for irrigation and MOS proved to be as effective as chemical coagulants such as lime and ferric iron for the removal of MTEs contained in wastewater. These results highlight the potential of MOSs as natural coagulants for reducing MTE content in domestic wastewater. This study could be the first to evaluate the effectiveness of MOS in reducing 10 MTEs, including As, Co, Se, Sr, Ti, and V, which are currently understudied. It could also provide a better understanding of the origin of MTEs found in domestic wastewaters and how an effective treatment process can result in high-quality treated wastewaters that can be reused for irrigation without posing health or environmental risks. However, more research on MOSs is needed to determine the type and composition of the coagulant substance found in the seeds, as well as the many mechanisms involved in the decrease in MTEs by MOSs, which is currently understudied. A better understanding of MOS structure is required to determine the optimum alternative for ensuring the optimal effect of MOS paired with WWTP in removing MTEs from domestic wastewaters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risks to Human Health Caused by Exposure to Wastewater Contaminated with Metals and Microplastics)
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