Public Health Risk Assessment Research Articles

The Interplay Between Individual Mobility, Health Risk, and Economic Choice: A Holistic Model for COVID-19 Policy Intervention

This paper was motivated by the need to simultaneously address two competing policy objectives during the course of the COVID pandemic: namely, the public health objective, which required people to be less mobile, and the economic objective, which aimed to ensure that the economy was not adversely affected by the constraints imposed by the first objective. To realize these objectives, we developed a data-informed approach to model human mobility, health risk, and economic activity jointly. This approach computes equilibrium between epidemic models of public health and economic activity under policy interventions that could be used to change people’s mobility behavior. Our approach is distinctive in its capacity to assemble proprietary data sets from public and private sectors at the individual and the zip code levels, which heretofore had not been used together. These data enabled customization of the population-level epidemic models widely used in public health (e.g., the SIR model) with individual-level data traces of mobility behaviors for assessment of public health risks. The outputs of the proposed model enabled parameterization of economic choice models of individuals’ economic decision-making. Various policy interventions and their capacities to shift the equilibrium between economic activity and public health were investigated in this study. Whereas the data-informed joint modeling approach was developed and tested in the pandemic context, it is generalizable for the evaluation of any counterfactual policy interventions. History: Nick Street served as the senior editor for this article.

The impact of bioaerosol trajectories on microbial community assembly and physicochemical dynamics in the atmosphere

This study explored the assembly mechanisms and physicochemical dynamics of microbial communities within atmospheric bioaerosols, focusing on the influence of different aerial trajectories. Over two years, samples near Seoul were classified into ‘North’, ‘Southwest’, and ‘Others’ categories based on their aerial trajectories. Physicochemical analysis of the PM2.5 particles revealed distinct ion compositions for each cluster, reflecting diverse environmental influences. Microbial community analysis revealed that shared dominant bacterial phyla were present in all clusters. However, distinct taxonomic profiles and biomarkers were also evident, such as coastal bacteria in the ‘Southwest’ cluster correlating with wind speed, and arid soil-originated bacteria in the ‘North’ cluster correlating with cations. These findings demonstrate that biomarkers in each cluster are representative of the distinct environments associated with their aerial trajectories. Notably, cluster ‘Southwest’ the highest microbial diversity and a strong alignment with the neutral community model, suggesting a large influence of passive dispersal from marine environments. Contrarily, ‘North’ and ‘Others’ were more influenced by niche-dependent factors. This study highlights the complex interplay between environmental factors and microbial dynamics in bioaerosols and provides important insights for environmental monitoring and public health risk assessment.

A snapshot mosquito field survey reveals the occurrence of Aedes geminus, Anopheles daciae, and Culex torrentium in the Republic of Ireland

Abstract A snapshot mosquito field survey was conducted in the Republic of Ireland in April–May 2017 and 2018 (for the VectorNet project) to provide mosquito distribution data as there is a dearth of recent data available for that region. The occurrence data obtained serve as a baseline for a preliminary public and veterinary health risk assessment and to promote further targeted vector surveillance. Morphological identification was complemented by genetic analyses to determine the species identity of members of the Anopheles Maculipennis Complex and the Culex Pipiens Assemblage. A total of 52 samples, including 50 immature aquatic samples and 2 adult catches, were collected from 72 locations inspected and distributed over 30 of the 34 vice counties across the country. Seventeen mosquito taxa were collected, and here we provide the first records of Aedes geminus, Anopheles daciae and Culex torrentium for the Republic of Ireland. We also confirm the occurrence of both Anopheles algeriensis and Culiseta alaskaensis which have only been found once before in Ireland.

Molecular and histopathological survey of Francisella spp., Borrelia spp. and Leptospira spp. in ornamental birds of four provinces of Iran

Leptospirosis, tularemia, and Lyme disease are among the most important infectious diseases affecting humans, animals, and birds. The present study aimed to identify these infections in exotic birds in Iran using conventional PCR and histopathology methods. The samples consisted of 51 fecal samples and 70 tissue samples collected from 10 different species of ornamental birds in four cities in Iran (Tehran, Tabriz, Ahvaz, and Yazd), each with distinct geographical locations. The presence of bacterial diseases caused by Francisella, Borrelia, and Leptospira in birds was investigated using the 16SrRNA, 5S-23SrRNA, and 16SrRNA genes, respectively. Histopathological examination was conducted on the brain, lung, trachea, kidney, and liver. The results showed a positive rate of 9.91 % for Francisella spp. and 16.52 % for Leptospira spp. DNA in ornamental birds. However, Borrelia species were not identified based on the 5S-23SrRNA gene. Furthermore, the molecular prevalence based on the 16SrRNA gene was 9.9 % (12 out of 121 samples) for Francisella spp. and 16.5 % (20 out of 121 samples) for Leptospira spp. Histopathological studies revealed tracheitis, pneumonia, nephritis, and hepatitis in the PCR-positive birds. To the best of our knowledge, this report represents the first isolation of Leptospira spp. and Francisella spp. from birds in Iran. Considering that both identified bacteria are zoonotic agents, these findings demand a public health risk assessment of exotic birds, which could be important reservoirs for these infections.

Competitive-like binding between carbon black and CTNNB1 to ΔNp63 interpreting the abnormal respiratory epithelial repair after injury

Airway epithelium is extraordinary vulnerable to damage owning to continuous environment exposure. Subsequent repair is therefore essential to restore the homeostasis of respiratory system. Disruptions in respiratory epithelial repair caused by nanoparticles exposure have been linked to various human diseases, yet implications in repair process remain incompletely elucidated. This study aims to elucidate the key stage in epithelial repair disturbed by carbon black (CB) nanoparticles, highlighting the pivotal role of ΔNp63 in mediating the epithelium repair. A competitive-like binding between CB and beta-catenin 1 (CTNNB1) to ΔNp63 is proposed to elaborate the underlying toxicity mechanism. Specifically, CB exhibits a remarkable inhibitory effect on cell proliferation, leading to aberrant airway epithelial repair, as validated in air-liquid culture. ΔNp63 drives efficient epithelial proliferation during CB exposure, and CTNNB1 was identified as a target of ΔNp63 by bioinformatics analysis. Further molecular dynamics simulation reveals that oxygen-containing functional groups on CB disrupt the native interaction of CTNNB1 with ΔNp63 through competitive-like binding pattern. This process modulates CTNNB1 expression, ultimately restraining proliferation during respiratory epithelial repair. Overall, the current study elucidates that the diminished interaction between CTNNB1 and ΔNp63 impedes respiratory epithelial repair in response to CB exposure, thereby enriching the public health risk assessment on CB-related respiratory diseases.

The Dynamics of the Concentration and Speciation of Arsenic in Private Drinking Water Wells in Eastern Wisconsin, USA

About 2.5 billion people rely on groundwater as their main drinking water source, and arsenic pollution within the groundwater system can cause serious short- and long-term health issues. Within the natural environment, arsenic generally exists as oxyanions which have two oxidation states, As(III) and As(V). Under ambient pH conditions, As(V) is primarily present as an anion (i.e., H2AsO4−) while As(III) tends to be uncharged (i.e., H3AsO3), making it much more difficult to remove As(III) through existing treatment techniques such as adsorption and reverse osmosis (RO). In Eastern Wisconsin, the dolomite and dolomite/sandstone aquifers represent a major drinking water source and high arsenic concentrations have been observed. Previous studies showed that arsenic can be released into private drinking water wells due to the oxidation of sulfide-bearing minerals with arsenic impurities that are usually dispersed within the dolomite and sandstone bedrock. However, there is a lack of information on the concentrations of each arsenic species as well as arsenic dynamics during water pumping/usage. The primary goals of this research were (1) to quantify the baseline concentrations of each arsenic species within selected Eastern Wisconsin private drinking water wells, and (2) to determine how the arsenic concentrations and species could be affected by continuous water usage. Our results showed that As(III) was the dominant species of arsenic, and during continuous water usage, there could be an upward trend in arsenic concentration (there was minimal change in arsenic speciation). Upon the completion of water pumping, arsenic concentrations decreased over time and returned to pre-pumping levels. Our findings highlighted the importance of quantifying the speciation and dynamics of arsenic during water use to the assessment of public health risks and the design of appropriate water treatment techniques.

Public health risk assessment and speciation of air-borne microorganisms in an office building

This study focuses on speciation of air borne microbes in an office building and health impacts of these microbes in terms of Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA), Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI). This is important in the wake of Sustainability Development Goal 3 (Public Health and well-being) specially when there is a lack of standards in terms of microbial air quality in office buildings where people spend 8–10 h indoors. Air borne bacterial and fungal species in different floors of the office building with varying occupancy and work profile were identified. The load of bacterial count on an average for the entire building was found to be 1917 CFU/m3. Overall, Gram-positive bacteria were predominant (>53%). Based on V3–V4 sequencing Staphylococcus scuiri (causing UTIs) was the most abundant (93.7%) and other bacterial species found were Lactobacillus hamsteri, Prevotella copri, Bacteroides plebeius Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Bacillus coagulans (gut commensals), Shigella boydii (causes bacillary dysentery), and Propionibacterium acnes (acne producing). Fungal load was 4000 CFU/m3. Based on ITS sequencing Aspergillus (45.6%) was the dominant fungus and other fungi found were Cunninghamella, Lichtheimia, Fusarium, and Circinella Grammothele, Chondrostereum, and Pseudolagarobasidium, Candida sp., Chondrostereum, Sarocladium. The QMRA of gram-negative air borne bacteria showed a high disease burden, well over the WHO benchmark values even though Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI) was found to be negligible. These findings can contribute to the development of guidelines for seemingly safe workplaces that may harbour disease-causing microbes and calls for an immediate attention from policy makers as it is a major cause of concern for public health.

High pesticide tolerance of S. mansoni: implications for the risk of schistosomiasis

BackgroundSchistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by trematodes of the genus Schistosoma. The pathogen is transmitted via freshwater snails. These snails are highly tolerant to agricultural pesticides and indirectly benefit from exposure due to adverse effects on their more sensitive enemy species. Pesticides in surface waters may thus increase the risk of schistosomiasis transmission unless they also affect the pathogen. We tested the tolerance of the free-swimming life stages (miracidia and cercariae) of Schistosoma mansoni to the insecticides diazinon and imidacloprid. We also investigated whether these pesticides decrease the ability of miracidia to infect and further develop as sporocysts within the host snail Biomphalaria pfeifferi.ResultsExposure to imidacloprid for 6 and 12 h immobilized 50% of miracidia at 150 and 16 µg/L, respectively (nominal EC50); 50% of cercariae were immobilized at 403 and 284 µg/L. Diazinon immobilized 50% of miracidia at 51 and 21 µg/L after 6 and 12 h; 50% of cercariae were immobilized at 25 and 13 µg/L. The observed insecticide tolerance is lower than those of the host snail B. pfeifferi and comparable to those of other commonly tested freshwater invertebrates. Exposure for up to 6 h decreased the infectivity of miracidia at high sublethal concentrations (48.8 µg imidacloprid/L and 10.5 µg diazinon/L, i.e. 20–33% of EC50), but not at lower concentrations commonly observed in the field (4.88 µg imidacloprid/L and 1.05 µg diazinon/L). The development of sporocysts within the snail host was not affected at any of these test concentrations.ConclusionsInsecticides did not affect the performance of S. mansoni at environmentally relevant concentrations. Particularly within its host snail the pathogen can escape exposure peaks that have been shown to affect other sensitive invertebrates and their biological control of host snails. Our findings suggest that freshwater pollution with agricultural pesticides increases the risk of schistosomiasis; they illustrate the need to integrate an environmental and public health risk assessment and management.

Draft genome sequences of Escherichia spp. isolates from New Zealand environmental sources.

Escherichia coli is often used as a fecal indicator bacterium for water quality monitoring. We report the draft genome sequences of 500 Escherichia isolates including newly described Escherichia species, namely Escherichia marmotae, Escherichia ruysiae, and Escherichia whittamii, obtained from diverse environmental sources to assist with improved public health risk assessments.

Intra-Action Review of Ethiopian’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, July 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on health, society, and the economy globally and in Ethiopia. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the use of intra-action reviews (IARs) to identify best practices, gaps, and lessons learned to make real-time improvements to the COVID-19 response. The International Health Regulations (2005) has recommended that countries share COVID-19 best practices and lessons learned with peer countries through IARs. Using WHO established methodology, we conducted the IAR of Ethiopian’s COVID-19 response from Hamle, 2021 to Hamle 2022. The review covered 11 thematic areas(pillars): (1)country-level coordination, planning and monitoring; (2) Regional coordination and risk communication and community engagement; (3) Vulnerable population, (4) Epi-surveillance, (5) laboratory, (6) Point of entry, (7) Case management and HBIC, (8) IPC, (9) MHPSS, (10) Admin section, (11) Digitalization. We held six focus group discussions with a variety of stakeholders from a range of government departments and non-governmental organizations. We used the results of the focus group discussions and other key findings from the IAR to formulate recommendations. The IAR identified key areas for improvement at national and subnational levels across all 11 pillars. Priority recommendations included improving multispectral coordination and monitoring of COVID-19 response plan indicators; strengthening implementation of public health response measures, including case detection, isolation, infection prevention and control, contact tracing; and improving data collection, analysis, and reporting to inform public health risk assessment and response. The IAR is a useful tool for reviewing progress and identifying areas to improve the COVID-19 response in real time and provides a means to share information on areas of need with COVID-19 response partners and contributes to International Health Regulations (2005) core capacity development.

Analysis of some promising directions of the development of the public health risk assessment in the Russian Federation (review article)

The population of developed and developing countries is constantly under the influence of a complex of adverse environmental factors that can negatively affect health. The Public health risk assessment is one of the strategic directions of hygiene development in the Russian Federation. Therefore, the study, improvement, and use of health risk assessment are a promising direction and the basis for effective primary prevention of environmentally related diseases in our country.
 The purpose of the work is to describe the current directions of risk assessment. 
 To achieve this goal, the systematization of legislative and methodological documents and the analysis of literary data from a number of sources were carried out. The analysis was made among the sources: «Analiz riska zdorov’yu» (Health risk Analysis), «Gigiena i sanitariya» (Hygiene and Sanitation), “Pubmed”, “eLibrary”, “Cyberleninka”, «Mezhdunarodnyj zhurnal jeksperimental’nogo obrazovanija» (International Journal of Experimental Education). The search was conducted for the keywords: “Risk assessment”, “Combined exposure”. The archive for 2018–2023 was studied in the journal “Analiz riska zdorov’yu”.
 As a result, promising areas of scientific research were identified: harmonization of terminology used in assessing health risks; development of methodological approaches to risk assessment associated with exposure to physical factors; development of methodological approaches to assessing the risk associated with the combined impact on the health of the population of adverse environmental factors of various nature; taking into account the individual sensitivity of the population; taking into account the impact of multiple uncertain factors.

Determination of Major and Trace Metals in Date Palm Fruit (Phoenix dactylifera) Samples Using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry and Assessment of the Associated Public Health Risks

This study aimed to assess the concentrations of major and trace metals (Na, Ca, Fe, Zn, Ni, Mn, Cu, Cd, and Pb) in date palm fruit samples collected from diverse regions, including Afar (Ethiopia), Iraq, and Saudi Arabia, utilizing flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The wet acid digestion method was employed for sample treatment, with optimization of the key parameters such as reagent volume ratio, oven temperature, and digestion time for analytical applications. Under the optimized parameters, average metal concentrations in date palm fruit samples ranged from 205–299, 134–320, 38.8–115, 25.1–42.2, 9.27–27.9, 7.11–16.3, and 0.002–1.15 mg/kg for Ca, Na, Fe, Ni, Zn, Mn, and Cu, respectively. Cd and Pb levels were below detection limits within the linear range. Generally, date palm samples exhibited higher Ca and Na contents and lower concentrations of Cu and Mn than other metals. Pearson correlation analysis revealed very strong positive correlations between Fe and Na, Na and Zn, Na and Mn, Ca and Zn, Fe and Ni, Fe and Mn, and Mn and Ni. Strong negative correlations were observed for Ni and Na, Fe and Cu, and Cu and Ni. Weak correlations were noted among Na and Cu, Ca and Fe, Ca and Ni, Ca and Mn, Ca and Cu, Fe and Zn, Ni and Zn, Zn and Mn, and Zn and Cu. A recovery study using the spiking method demonstrated acceptable percentage recoveries ranging from 91.6% to 97.8%. Health risk assessment, including chronic daily intake (CDI), hazard quotient (HQ), total exposure hazard index (HI), and carcinogenic risk (CR), indicated CDI, HQ, and HI values below 1.0, except for the HI value for Ni. This suggests that the metals pose no probable public health risk, with the absence of Cd and Pb in date palm samples affirming no carcinogenic threats associated with their consumption.

Public health risks associated with drinking water consumption in the upper Awash River sub-basin, Ethiopia, sub-Saharan Africa

The Upper Awash sub-basin characterized by urban, industrial, agricultural and population growth, has impacted the quality of its water sources. This study focuses on the assessment of public health risks associated with drinking water sources in the sub-basin. In accordance with WHO guidelines, 120 water samples were collected from 60 water supply schemes in dry and wet seasons located in areas with low and high water pollution risk (WPR). Multi-meter, Photometer, Digital Arsenator, and Microbiological test kit measured the concentration of parameters. The assessment uses methods of hazard identification, exposure and dose-response analysis, and risk characterization, including Hazard Quotient (HQ), Cancer Risk (CR), Hazard Index (HI), and probability of infection. Monte Carlo simulation analyzes non-cancer risks from Nitrite, Nitrate, Chromium, Iron, Fluoride, and Arsenic, and CRs from Chromium and Arsenic, and infection risks from Escherichia coli (E.coli). As a result, the Hazard Quotient (HQ) of Nitrate was beyond unity (HQ > 1) in the dry season for all groups. HQ of Chromium was HQ > 1 for Women (1.1E+00) and Children (1.4E+00) in the wet season in the high WPR area. Chromium HQ > 1 for children (1.4E+00) in the wet season and Fluoride (HQ > 1) for Children (3.2E+00) in the dry season in the low WPR area. Arsenic CR was above 1 in 10,000 persons for children in the dry season, for all groups, and for women and children in the wet season in the high WPR areas. The CR of chromium ranged from 1 in 1000 persons, which is beyond the limit. Moreover, the Hazard Index (HI) was higher than the unity (HI > 1) for most cases. All E coli infection risks daily and annually exceeded the acceptable risks. Therefore, Public health concerns in the Sub-basin were quantified, and evidences were generated for risk management to undertake source protection through integrated watershed management and appropriate water treatment technologies.

Essential and non-essential elements in marine silverside Odontesthes argentinensis from southwestern Atlantic coast: Tissues bioaccumulation, biomagnification and public health risk assessment

In order to assess the metal pollution in the southwestern Atlantic coast, levels of eleven metals: Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn and one metalloid: As in water and tissues of Odontesthes argentinensis from the Samborombón Bay (SB) and Partido de La Costa (PC) were examined. Additionally, bioconcentration, and bioaccumulation factors, estimated daily intake (EDI) for adults and children, and the hazard risk for fishermen and general populations were evaluated. Cadmium, Cu and Zn levels in the water samples exceeded the limits established by international guidelines for the protection of aquatic life in marine environments (CCME). The liver showed the highest concentrations of As, Cu, Fe, and Zn, while muscle showed the least levels of all elements examined. Bioaccumulation of Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn were observed in all tissues, while Ba and Sr bioaccumulated significantly in the gills. The fish δ15N values significantly varied between sites, however, no biodilution or biomagnification was observed. The Target Hazard Quotients (THQ) and the Carcinogenic Risk (CR) indices suggest that there is no human health risk to the fishermen and general populations from the O. argentinensis consumption. Furthermore, As (27%) and Cr (33%) concentrations in silversides from PC and SB, respectively, exceeded the levels recommended by local and international guidelines.

Pesticide residues in different honey types and public health risk assessment

Honeybees and humans are endangered by pesticides in daily agricultural production. The aim of this research was to investigate pesticide residues in different honey types and to assess the risk to public health. A total of 88 honey samples originating from pine, multifloral, sunflower, acacia, linden, and canola were collected and analysed by a QuEChERS method. The hazard quotient (HQ) was used to evaluate the risk of detected pesticide residues. Analysis of pine honey did not detect any residue of investigated pesticides. The most frequently detected pesticides in the honey samples were chlorpyrifos ranging between 15.1 µg/kg (linden honey) to 22.3 µg/kg (multifloral honey), clothianidin ranging between 12.0 µg/kg (acacia honey) to 22.0 µg/kg (canola honey), dimethoate ranging between 8.9 µg/kg (multifloral honey) to 18.9 µg/kg (canola honey), and thiamethoxam ranging between 4.2 µg/kg (linden honey) to 15.6 µg/kg (canola honey), respectively. The lowest estimated daily intake (EDI) of 128 × 10-3 μg/kg of body weight per day was found in acacia honey, and the highest EDI of 265 × 10-3 μg/kg of body weight per day was found in canola honey. Similar values of EDI were determined for multifloral, sunflower, and linden honey (186 × 10-3, 187 × 10-3, and 183 × 10-3), respectively. The HQ value for pine honey was 0 indicating that this honey is the safest for consumption, however, the other types of honey investigated in this study posed no risk to humans after potential consumption.

Chemical pollution in Arctic cities: public health risk assessment and solutions

The research presents characteristics of non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic inhalation and aquatic chemical risk caused by chemical pollutants of atmospheric air and drinking water exposure to the health of the population of the Arctic city of Salekhard. It has been established that carcinogenic risks with inhalation exposure to chromium, soot and formaldehyde as well as with oral exposure to cadmium, beryllium, lead and hexavalent chromium correspond to the upper limit of the acceptable risk and are subject to constant monitoring. The risk of oral exposure to arsenic needs to be minimized through the development and implementation of additional health measures. The calculated indices of non-carcinogenic risk for inhalation and oral exposure, not exceeding 1.0, that shows a low probability of adverse effects from critical organs / systems.

City-level population projection for China under different pathways from 2010 to 2100

Cities play a fundamental role in policy decision-making processes, necessitating the availability of city-level population projections to better understand future population dynamics and facilitate research across various domains, including urban planning, shrinking cities, GHG emission projections, GDP projections, disaster risk mitigation, and public health risk assessment. However, the current absence of city-level population projections for China is a significant gap in knowledge. Moreover, aggregating grid-level projections to the city level introduces substantial errors of approximately 30%, leading to discrepancies with actual population trends. The unique circumstances of China, characterized by comprehensive poverty reduction, compulsory education policies, and carbon neutrality goals, render scenarios like SSP4(Shared Socioeconomic Pathways) and SSP5 less applicable. To address the aforementioned limitations, this study made three key enhancements, which significantly refines and augments our previous investigation. Firstly, we refined the model, incorporating granular demographic data at the city level. Secondly, we redesigned the migration module to consider both regional and city-level population attractiveness. Lastly, we explored diverse fertility and migration scenarios.

Potent indigenous weeds for soil chromium remediation and public health risk assessment with pot-grown edible plants

Potent indigenous weeds for soil chromium remediation and public health risk assessment with pot-grown edible plants

Ecological study and public health risk assessment of mosquito assemblages in the Ukrainian portion of the Pannonian region.

Ecological study and public health risk assessment of mosquito assemblages in the Ukrainian portion of the Pannonian region.

Fluoride distribution in selected foodstuffs from Nakuru County, Kenya, and the risk factors for its human overexposure

Critical data on the impacts of fluoride (F) in food systems along the Eastern Africa Rift Valley System (EARS) is needed for public health risk assessment and for the development of strategies for ameliorating its deleterious effects among the affected communities. Long-term F overexposure causes dental and skeletal fluorosis, and leads to neurotoxicity, which impacts several important body functions. Investigating F exposure pathways is of essence to inform and safeguard public health of the affected communities. The current study assessed the F levels in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.), beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and garden peas (Possum sativa) from Nakuru County, Kenya, by potentiometric analysis using F ion-selective electrodes. It then evaluated the risk factors for excessive human exposure to F through contaminated foodstuffs. The mean F levels in the potatoes (8.50 ± 4.70 mg/kg), beans (8.02 ± 4.12 mg/kg) and peas (4.99 ± 1.25 mg/kg) exceeded recommended dietary allowances (RDA) level of 4 mg/kg endorsed by US Institute of Medicine for the different categories of people. The F distribution trends in beans and potatoes reflected the environmental patterns of F contamination of the study area but the spatial extent Fin the peas indicated existence of partial resistance of the pea plants to environmental F uptake. The results indicated that both the beans and the potatoes were more liable to accumulating greater amounts of F from the environment than garden peas and that all the three foodstuffs contained high F levels that posed greater risk of F overexposure and its deleterious impacts among the young children, male populations, and in people of greater body weight and high physical activity levels.