A systematic review and meta-analysis of human biomonitoring studies on exposure to environmental pollutants in Iran

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#arsenic #biological-monitoring #cadmium #chromium #cross-sectional-studies

A systematic review and meta-analysis of human biomonitoring studies on exposure to environmental pollutants in Iran

Hadei et al., 2021 | Ecotoxicol Environ Saf | Systematic Review

Citation

Hadei Mostafa, Shahsavani Abbas, ... Nazari Seyed Saeed Hashemi. A systematic review and meta-analysis of human biomonitoring studies on exposure to environmental pollutants in Iran. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2021-Apr-01;212:111986. doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.111986

Abstract

Population exposure to environmental contaminants can be precisely observed through human biomonitoring studies. The present study aimed to systematically review all the biomonitoring studies conducted in Iran on some selected carcinogen environmental pollutants. In this systematic review study, 11 carcinogen agents were selected including arsenic, cadmium, chromium, nickel, lindane, benzene, trichloroethylene (TCE), pentachlorophenol (PCP), radon-222, radium-224, - 226, - 228, and tobacco smoke. The Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases were searched for peer-reviewed articles published in English. After several screening steps, data were extracted from the studies. Meta-analyses (a random-effect model using the DerSimonian-Laired method) were performed only for the biomarkers with more than three eligible articles, including cadmium in blood and breast milk, and arsenic in breast milk. Methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale adapted for cross-sectional studies. Of the 610 articles found in the database search, 30 studies were eligible for qualitative review, and 13 were included in the meta-analysis (cadmium in blood (n = 3), cadmium in breast milk (n = 6), and arsenic in breast milk (n = 4)). The overall pooled average concentrations (95% CI) of cadmium in blood, cadmium in breast milk, and arsenic in breast milk were 0.11 (95% CI: 0.08, 0.14), 5.38 (95% CI: 3.60, 6.96), and 1.42 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.81) µg/L, respectively. These values were compared with the biomarker concentrations in other countries and health-based guideline values. This study showed that there is a need for comprehensive action plans to reduce the exposure of general population to these environmental contaminants.

Key Findings

This study showed that there is a need for comprehensive action plans to reduce the exposure of general population to these environmental contaminants.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 3
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Arsenic
  • Biological Monitoring
  • Cadmium
  • Chromium
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Environmental Exposure
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Environmental Pollution
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iran
  • Milk, Human
  • Nickel

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: chromium

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09