Understanding the extent of human health risks with an emphasis on carcinogenesis development attributable to potentially toxic chemicals is critical to effective prevention and mitigation strategies. Chromium (Cr), mainly the hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)), is a chemical associated with cancer when found in drinking water, making it a major public health issue. This study assessed a possible carcinogenic human health risk among the general population due to exposure to total or hexavalent chromium. We performed a systematic review of the international scientific literature, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocol to determine the human risk of cancer mortality and morbidity. In total, 76 articles were checked for eligibility, 13 of which were included in the final systematic review. Only scientific articles from January 2000 to November 2022 published on PubMed were included. Data from both epidemiological ecological studies (Relative Risk and Rate Ratio—RR and Standardized Mortality Rate—SMR) and epidemiological case studies (Lifetime Cancer Risk—LCR, Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk—ILCR, Cancer Risk—CR, Hazard Quotient—HQ, Hazard Index—HI, Health Risk Assessment—HRA, Disability-Adjusted Life Year—DALY, and Chronic Daily Intake Index—CDI) were included for the overall assessment of carcinogenicity in the general population. According to most articles, there is credible evidence that hexavalent chromium via water is indicated as a major contributor to the global burden of cancer in humans. Some of them emphasize malignant neoplasms in the lung, liver, stomach, and genitourinary system. Although the health index data of the case studies are based on a limited number of samples, they raise concerns about the possibility of an increase in the degree of carcinogenesis. However, there are significant limitations due to the lack of information on the dose and duration of exposure in the target group. Further research involving extensive analysis of the association of the two variables is needed, which depends on more complete information extraction and advanced methodologies.

Both in developed and developing countries, there is a growing concern about the dangerous hexavalent chromium, in the consumption of drinking water. Hexavalent chromium is recognized to have a negative impact on the human body, both in the short and long term. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between hexavalent chromium in water and its impact on human health. A systematic review of the international literature is applied, according to the instructions of PRISMA protocol, in the databases PubMed and Scopus, for the years 2005–2022. The systematic literature review was conducted using inclusion and exclusion criteria, and appropriate keywords for exposure and outcome. A total of 18 studies met all inclusion criteria. Most research concludes that hexavalent chromium is a risk factor for humans, as opposed to trivalent chromium who is a protective factor. A study indicates the consumption of drinking water with high concentrations of hexavalent chromium, as a protective factor for human life, while eight of the total studies suggest hexavalent chromium as a potential risk factor. It is necessary to clarify the origin, the mode of action, and the negative impact has on human health, to create appropriate preventive and intervention measures.

Introduction: According to the Institute of Environmental Sciences, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are “natural or human-made chemicals that may mimic, block, or interfere with the body’s hormones, associated with a wide array of health issues”, mainly in the endocrine system. Recent studies have discussed the potential contribution of EDCs as risk factors leading to diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1DM), through various cellular and molecular pathways. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between the EDCs and the development of T1DM. Methodology: Thus, a 5-year systematic review was conducted to bring light to this research question. Using the meta-analysis and systematic review guideline protocol, a PRISMA flow diagram was constructed and, using the keywords (diabetes mellitus type 1) AND (endocrine-disrupting chemicals) in the databases PubMed, Scopus and ScienceDirect, the relevant data was collected and extracted into tables. Quality assessment tools were employed to evaluate the quality of the content of each article retrieved. Results: Based on the data collected and extracted from both human and animal studies, an association was found between T1DM and certain EDCs, such as bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS), persistent organic pollutants (POPs), phthalates and dioxins. Moreover, based on the quality assessments performed, using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and ARRIVE quality assessment tool, the articles were considered of high quality and thus eligible to justify the correlation of the EDCs and the development of T1DM. Conclusion: Based on the above study, the correlation can be justified; however, additional studies can be made focusing mainly on humans to understand further the pathophysiologic mechanism involved in this association.

Background/Objectives: It is estimated that gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects approximately 14% of pregnant women. This is due to the inability of the body to produce enough insulin for gestation. With greater appearance during the second and third trimesters, GDM has a multifactorial cause including hypertension, cardiovascular issues (CVD), family history both or either type two diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or GDM, obesity, advanced maternal age, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). However, it has been suggested that except for genetic predisposition, environmental factors can increase the risk of GDM development to a great extent. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is the examination of different environmental contributors that play a significant role in the development of GDM. Methods: The databases used were PubMed and ScienceDirect. The inclusion criteria were a 10-year duration (2014–2024), English language, research articles, and only humans included. Afterwards, tables were created to summarize the most important information from each article. Forest and funnel plots were created to assess the possibility of a greatly significant difference between each environmental contributor. Results: Initially, 9361 articles were found. After the automation tools were applied, 706 were left. The total number of articles used in the study after the screening process was 26. Through the systematic review analysis, the following risk factors were stated to play a contributing role with GDM: extreme temperatures (both high and low), organophosphorus flame retardants (OFRs), bisphenol A (BPA), selenium (Se), metallic elements, urinary antimony (Sb), trace elements, thiamine and riboflavin, and fine particulate matter PM_2.5. Conclusions: Through this meta-analysis, it can be concluded that there is statistical significance for fine particulate matter PM_2.5, especially in the first (p < 0.001) and second (p < 0.001) trimesters, proving the acknowledged connection between PM_2.5 and GDM pathogenesis during pregnancy. Apart from that, fetal sex can play an important role in the development of GDM, as there is the greatest risk in males (p < 0.001), whereas no correlation between maternal smoking habit and bisphenol A with GDM was found. In conclusion, it can be stated that environmental factors can have a great impact on the development of GDM during the gestational period, but more studies must be carried out to reinforce our outcomes.

Hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) is an environmental contaminant brining high concerns due to its higher toxicity and mobility in comparison with trivalent chromium Cr(III). Cr (VI) has been linked with several adverse health effects, including respiratory diseases, lung cancer, and skin irritation. The primary sources of it in the environment are industrial activities.Most of the time, fly ash made of lignite can release Cr(VI) when it comes into contact with water in an aquatic environment. The objective of this study is the investigation of Cr (VI) concentration in leachates of fly ash and marl mixtures and the determination of its solubility under different pH conditions. Samples of fly ash were collected from the Power Plant of Agios Dimitrios. Additionally, samples of marl were collected from the mine of South Field, and both samples were mixed and prepared in in different proportions (% w.t.). The leaching experiments were carried out according to the EN-12457/1-4 (2003) standard under different pH conditions and chemical analysis of the leachates were performed by spectrophotometry with diphenylcarbazide (DPC). The environmental footprint of Cr (VI) in the study area was significant, especially in mixtures containing higher concentrations of fly ash. A critical pH range between 6 to 12 is observed. At acidic pH values, a high release of Cr (VI) was observed, while at the mentioned critical values (pH 10–12), a gradual decrease in its leachability was noticed. The high concentrations of Cr (VI) in the industrial area studied require immediate actions in terms of managing and limiting the potential hazardous impacts on the environment and by extension on the public health by developing appropriate prevention strategies. Graphical abstract