Browsing by Author "Hossein, Miraji"

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Combatting toxic chemical elements pollution for Sub-Saharan Africa's ecological health
(Elsevier, 2025-02-08) Ripanda, Asha; Hossein, Miraji; Rwiza, Mwemezi; Nyanza, Elias; Selemani, Juma; Nkrumah, Salma; Bakari, Ramadhani; Alfred, Mateso; Machunda, Revocatus; Vuai, Said
With its booming mining, processing industries, agriculture, and increasing urbanization, sub-Saharan Africa experiences an alarming rise in accumulation of toxic chemical elements in all environmental matrices threatening entire ecology. Most toxic chemical elements are mercury, lead, cadmium, chromium, and arsenic. These toxic chemical elements are known human carcinogens, systemic toxicants and can induce multiple organ damage. The occurrences of toxic chemical elements in Sub-Saharan Africa are amplified by anthropogenic activities such as mining, industrial discharges, and agricultural practices. This study examined the extent of exposure to toxic chemical elements in surface and underground waters, sediments, soils, effluents, food crops, vegetables, aquatic organisms, industrial products, humans, and other animals in Sub-Saharan Africa. Results indicate occurrences of toxic chemical elements in surface and underground waters, sediments, soils, effluents, food crops, vegetables, aquatic organisms, industrial products, humans, and other animals above the recommended threshold. These findings highlight the persistent pollution of water, soil, sediments, food crops, aquatic organisms, and even industrial products, emphasizing the potential for bioaccumulation and exposure through the food chain. This requires interdisciplinary approaches, including updating and enforcing stricter regulations tailored to regional industrial and agricultural practices. Advanced remediation technologies, such as phytoremediation, and bioremediation, should be prioritized to remove toxic chemical elements from affected environments. Additionally, promoting sustainable practices, such as waste recycling programs, can help reduce anthropogenic contributions, strengthen environmental monitoring systems, nurture community awareness, and essentially encourage regional and international collaboration to protect ecosystems and safeguard human health in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Ecological Consequences of Antibiotics Pollution in Sub-Saharan Africa: Understanding Sources, Pathways, and Potential Implications
(KeAi, 2025-01-25) Ripanda, Asha; Rwiza, Mwemezi; Nyanza, Elias; Hossein, Miraji; Alfred, Mateso; Mahmoud, Alaa; Murthy, Ananda; Bakari, Ramadhani; Vuai, Said; Machunda, Revocatus
In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the increasing use of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine, combined with inadequate waste and water management systems, has intensified the problem of antibiotic pollution. Untreated or partially treated wastewater from industries, agricultural runoff, residential areas, and healthcare facilities is frequently discharged into the environment, often used for irrigation, contributing to antibiotic accumulation, the spread of resistance genes, and the rise of antibiotic resistance, posing serious threats to public health and environmental sustainability. The region's climatic conditions favour the survival and proliferation of microbial communities, including pathogens. Additionally, the high prevalence of infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, which often necessitate antibiotic use, further amplifies the issue. Systemic challenges, including poor waste management, inadequate or absent wastewater treatment infrastructure, weak regulatory enforcement, and the over-the-counter sale of antibiotics, exacerbate the crisis. Limited healthcare access often results in self-medication and improper antibiotic use, accelerating resistance spread. Evidence shows antibiotics in surface water, groundwater, effluents, food crops, environmental samples, and aquatic organisms, indicating their potential circulation through the food chain. However, a lack of comprehensive data on antibiotic pollution and its impacts on aquatic ecosystems in SSA hampers a thorough understanding of its scope and long-term effects. Addressing this crisis requires identifying contamination hotspots, evaluating ecological impacts, and establishing robust, region-specific regulatory frameworks to ensure environmental and public health safety
Ecological consequences of microplastic pollution in sub-Saharan Africa aquatic ecosystems: An implication to environmental health
(Elsevier Inc., 2023-12-01) Moto, Edward; Hossein, Miraji; Bakari, Ramadhani; Mateso, Alfred; Selemani, Juma; Nkrumah, Salma; Ripanda, Asha; Rwiza, Mwemezi; Nyanza, Elias; Machunda, Revocatus
Microplastic pollution (MPs) emerged as a significant environmental concern due to its persistent nature. These MPs particles endure in waters, soils, and even the atmosphere, posing potential threats to the entire ecosystem. Aquatic organisms are at risk of ingesting MPs, leading to accumulation in tissues, ultimately affecting entire food chain. This study aims to provide an overview of sources of MPs, distribution, and potential environmental impacts. MPs have been documented in various substances such as bottled water, salts, seafood, and even the air. However, the full extent of the health consequences on human exposure remains uncertain. Therefore, it is imperative that we draw public attention to the presence of these pollutants in the environment. To mitigate adverse effects of MPs, reducing plastic consumption, implementing improved waste management practices, and advocating sustainable behaviors are essential for well-being of natural ecosystems and the health human populations.
Economic, Social, and Environmental Impact of Waste Management
(Springer Nature, 2026-04-01) Nyanza, Elias; Giridhar Reddy, S.; Ngayaga, Mwahija; Nkrumah, Salma; Hossein, Miraji; Ramadhani, Bakari; Ripanda, Asha; Sahini, Geofrey
The multifaceted impacts of waste management surpass traditional sanitation concerns, gradually shaping economic arcs, social equity, and environmental sustainability. This chapter critically evaluates the interlinked economic, social, and ecological dimensions of waste management and offers an innovative framework that integrates circular-economy principles, informal-sector dynamics, and climate resilience into a unified sustainability agenda. Drawing on global best practices and data from both high-income and low-income contexts, the chapter highlights how waste, often seen as a liability, can be transformed into a driver of green employment, community empowerment, and resource efficiency. Notably, the chapter advances a novel triple-impact assessment model, which combines lifecycle analysis with socio-economic impact metrics and geospatial risk profiling. Through this model, the chapter exposes the hidden costs of poor waste governance, including gendered health burdens, informal-sector marginalization, and long-term ecological degradation, issues often underrepresented in policy discourse. This chapter establishes how integrative waste management can help achieve multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), include SDG 6 focusing with water, and sanitation, SDG 8 focusing on decent work and economic growth, SDG 9 industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 11 focusing on sustainable cities and communities, SDG 12 focusing on responsible consumption and production, SDG 13 focusing on climate action, and SDG 17 focusing on partnerships for the goals. By proposing integrative policy instruments and technology-enabled interventions such as AI-based waste sorting, blockchain for recyclables traceability and big data analytics, the chapter positions waste management as a strategic lever for attaining multiple Sustainable SDGs. This highlights the urgency of transitioning from linear to circular systems and calls for inclusive, data-driven, and climate-smart waste management approaches, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions of the Global South.
Fluoride contamination a silent global water crisis: A Case of Africa
(Elsevier, 2024-11-20) Hossein, Miraji; Rwiza, Mwemezi; Nyanza, Elias; Bakari, Ramadhani; Ripanda, Asha; Nkrumah, Salma; Selemani, Juma; Machunda, Revocatus
Fluoride contamination in drinking water poses a global health risk, affecting millions worldwide, with Africa bearing a disproportionate burden due to unique geological factors like the East African Rift Valley. High fluoride levels in groundwater in these regions contribute to widespread health problems, notably dental and skeletal fluorosis, which impair quality of life and economic productivity. This study aims to evaluate the scope of fluoride contamination across continents, examining how Africa compares to regions like Asia, North America, and Europe. While some countries have mitigated contamination through advanced water treatment and regulatory measures, Africa still faces significant challenges due to limited infrastructure and resources. Findings highlight that addressing fluoride contamination in Africa requires a targeted approach, involving affordable treatment solutions, regulatory reforms, and community awareness programs. By outlining these strategies and emphasizing international cooperation, this study underscores the urgency of safeguarding health and well-being across affected African communities.