Asian populations are the fastest-growing racial ethnic group in the United States (US) and have the highest biomarker concentrations of several heavy metal(loid)s compared to other groups. However, sources contributing to their elevated exposures remain understudied. This descriptive review is the first to characterize sources and pathways of heavy metal(loid) exposure for Asian populations in the US. We searched Ovid MEDLINE for studies published between 1990 and July 2023. Eligible studies focused on Asians in the US and examined arsenic, cadmium, manganese, lead, mercury, selenium, zinc, copper, molybdenum, magnesium, and calcium. Data on metal type and exposure sources were extracted after full-text review. Of 364 studies identified, 58 were included for data abstraction; 48 reported exposure sources, and 10 documented biomarker concentrations only. Mercury was the most frequently examined metal(loid) (n = 33), followed by lead (n = 27), cadmium (n = 17), and arsenic (n = 16). Common biomonitoring matrices included blood/serum (n = 26), urine (n = 14), and hair (n = 9). Across the included literature, Asian populations in the US showed higher biomarker concentrations of arsenic, mercury, and cadmium than other racial/ethnic groups. Seafood was the dominant source of mercury, while rice and Asian remedies were major sources of arsenic. Cigarette smoking was a major source of cadmium, and cultural artifacts and imported medicines were major sources of lead. Both dietary sources and traditional practices contributed to higher heavy metal(loid) concentrations. Findings highlight the need for more culturally-tailored dietary guidance and stronger regulation of imported products.
Early-life exposure to inorganic arsenic may interfere with critical stages of development. Although adverse birth outcomes have been consistently reported, the association with childhood anthropometric outcomes remains unclear. To evaluate the epidemiological evidence on the association between early-life arsenic exposure and childhood anthropometric outcomes. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and the PECO framework. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched through 2026. Observational studies involving children under 18 years that assessed early-life arsenic exposure and anthropometric outcomes were included. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) tool. Thirty-four studies from 19 countries were included: 16 from Asia, 10 from the Americas, 5 from Europe, and 3 from Africa. Thirteen reported statistically significant associations. Nine found inverse associations, linking higher arsenic exposure to lower weight- and height-related indicators or a higher prevalence of stunting, underweight, or short stature. The remaining four reported positive associations with higher infant length-for-age, body mass index, or obesity. Significant associations were observed in studies with both low and higher risk of bias. Exposure was frequently based on a single, non-speciated measurement. Evidence remains inconsistent regarding the association between early-life arsenic exposure and anthropometric outcomes. However, inverse associations predominated among studies reporting statistically significant findings (9/13). Interpretation is constrained by heterogeneity in exposure and outcome assessment and by limited data from underrepresented regions. Prospective studies incorporating arsenic speciation, repeated exposure measurements, and standardized anthropometric outcomes are needed. Thirty-four epidemiological studies evaluated the association between early-life arsenic exposure and childhood anthropometric outcomes. Current evidence does not support a clear or consistent association between early-life arsenic exposure and childhood anthropometric outcomes. Of the 13 studies with statistically significant associations, nine reported inverse associations between early-life arsenic exposure and childhood anthropometric outcomes. Exposure assessment was often based on a single, non-speciated measurement of arsenic. The available evidence comes from 19 countries, with only two studies from Latin America.
Saharan and African desert dust is transported across the Mediterranean, Caribbean, parts of South America, and West Africa, exposing large populations to episodically increased concentrations of coarse particulate matter and complex atmospheric mixtures. However, pregnancy-specific epidemiological evidence remains geographically limited. This systematic review evaluated associations between prenatal Saharan or African desert-dust-related hazards and maternal, fetal, obstetric, and neonatal outcomes. PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO, LILACS, and Google Scholar were searched from the earliest records available in each database through 2 August 2026, without restrictions on publication year or language. Original epidemiological studies were eligible if they involved pregnant women or pregnancy cohorts, explicitly identified Saharan or African desert dust using meteorological classification, back-trajectory analysis, satellite observations, source-apportionment methods, dust-attributed PM₁₀ concentrations, predefined intense dust episodes, or clearly defined Harmattan periods, and reported maternal, fetal, obstetric, or neonatal outcomes. Studies assessing only undifferentiated ambient particulate matter or unrelated dust sources were excluded. Two reviewers independently screened 140 unique records and assessed 37 full-text reports. The review followed PRISMA 2020, and study quality was evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Owing to substantial heterogeneity in exposure metrics, outcomes, and effect estimates, a structured narrative synthesis was performed. Six studies published between 2011 and 2026 met the eligibility criteria. The studies were conducted in Spain, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, and Ghana and included prospective cohorts, ecological or registry-based cohorts, and an ecological time-series analysis. Preterm birth was the most frequently investigated outcome. In Guadeloupe, higher mean PM₁₀ and a greater proportion of intense Saharan dust episodes were associated with increased odds of preterm birth, with adjusted ORs of 1.40 and 1.54, respectively. In French Guiana, the highest category of intense dust-episode frequency was associated with increased odds of spontaneous and induced preterm delivery, although the relationship was non-linear. One Guadeloupe study reported increased odds of severe weight-defined and symmetric small-for-gestational-age birth. The Ghanaian Harmattan study reported a smaller neonatal head circumference but no clear association with birth weight or length. In contrast, the Barcelona study found no adverse association with birth weight, preeclampsia, or bacteriuria and reported only a clinically small increase in gestational duration. Exposure specificity varied considerably, ranging from meteorologically identified Saharan dust days to composite Harmattan-season exposure and mixed atmospheric episodes involving co-pollutants and temperature extremes. The available evidence suggests that Saharan or African desert dust-related hazards during pregnancy may be associated with preterm birth and selected measures of impaired fetal growth. However, the small number of studies, heterogeneous exposure definitions, variable source specificity, co-occurring environmental stressors, and possible exposure misclassification preclude definitive causal conclusions. Standardized source-specific exposure assessment and prospective studies incorporating maternal, fetal, and placental biomarkers are needed.
Thirteen studies were included: five epidemiological studies and eight experimental studies, including seven in vivo animal studies and one in vitro/ex vivo study. In epidemiological studies, associations between phthalate exposure and anemia-related outcomes appeared more evident among pregnant women carrying male fetuses, with late pregnancy identified as a potentially susceptible window. Adult cross-sectional studies linked several urinary phthalate metabolites to lower hemoglobin concentrations and altered serum iron levels; mixture analyses suggested possible cumulative effects. Findings in children were inconsistent, and evidence for non-linear dose-response relationships was limited. Experimental studies provided supporting evidence for hematological effects. DEHP and MMP exposure was associated with reduced hemoglobin concentrations and/or red blood cell counts in animal models, whereas DBP exposure was linked to changes in hematocrit and erythrocyte indices. Reported mechanisms included impaired erythrocyte or hemoglobin function, altered iron handling, oxidative stress, and toxicity involving the liver, kidneys, and endocrine system. However, these mechanisms were not consistently evaluated as direct mediators of anemia. Overall, the evidence suggests a possible association between phthalate exposure and anemia-related outcomes. DEHP metabolites were implicated in several epidemiological studies, but their contribution requires confirmation. Because human evidence is mainly observational and experimental studies differed in model and exposure conditions, the findings should be interpreted cautiously. Further longitudinal and intervention studies are needed.
Road dust is an essential urban sink for traffic-derived pollutants, particularly carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This study evaluated the occurrence and human health risks of 16 priority PAHs in roadside dust collected during September 2022 from 35 locations in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Total PAH concentrations ranged from non-detectable to 44.35 µg g⁻¹, showing marked spatial variability. Phenanthrene (Phen) had the highest detection frequency (97.14
