Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 1 — Meta-analysis / systematic reviewPeer-reviewed

A meta-analysis of the distribution, sources and health risks of arsenic-contaminated groundwater in Pakistan

Muhammad Shahid, Nabeel Khan Niazi, Camille Dumat, Ravi Naidu, Sana Khalid, Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman‬, Irshad Bibi

Environmental Pollution · 2018

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Summary

This meta-analysis synthesises evidence on arsenic contamination in Pakistan's groundwater, mapping its spatial distribution, identifying geogenic and anthropogenic sources, and evaluating human health risks. As suggested by the title and journal scope, the work integrates existing field and epidemiological data to characterise a major environmental health problem affecting agricultural and domestic water supplies. The findings are relevant to understanding contamination pathways that affect both human consumption and crop irrigation in South Asian farming systems.

UK applicability

Direct applicability to UK conditions is limited, as arsenic-contaminated groundwater is not a comparable public health issue in Britain. However, the methodological approach to characterising groundwater contaminant distribution and health risk assessment may inform UK water quality monitoring and regulatory frameworks for trace elements in drinking water and irrigation sources.

Key measures

Arsenic concentration levels in groundwater; geographical distribution patterns; health risk metrics (as suggested by the title)

Outcomes reported

The meta-analysis synthesised data on the geographical distribution of arsenic-contaminated groundwater across Pakistan, identified primary contamination sources, and evaluated associated public health risks. The study appears to have quantified arsenic concentrations and their prevalence across regions.

Theme
Nutrition & health
Subject
Pesticides, contaminants & food safety
Study type
Meta-analysis
Study design
Meta-analysis
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
Pakistan
System type
Other
DOI
10.1016/j.envpol.2018.06.083
Catalogue ID
SNmp4zkngy-ky0kdb

Topic tags

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