Uranium's hazardous effects on humans and recent developments in treatment

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Toxicology
• Public Health

Background:

• Uranium is widely used in energy production, but mining poses environmental and health risks.
• Uranium exposure leads to systemic toxicity affecting pulmonary, hepatic, renal, reproductive, neurological, and bone health.
• Both radiotoxicity and non-radioactive chemotoxicity are significant risks, depending on exposure factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current research on uranium contamination impacts and detoxification methods.
• To identify significant research gaps in ameliorating uranium toxicity.
• To recommend future research directions and informed regulations.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of published research materials on uranium sources, treatments, and health impacts.
• PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) analysis was conducted.

Main Results:

• Significant research gaps exist regarding effective uranium detoxification methods.
• Phytomedicinal treatments, biochemical approaches, and chelation therapy are under investigation.
• Chemotoxicity of uranium is a major risk factor in environmental exposures.

Conclusions:

• Further research is needed into genetic modification and plant compounds for uranium detoxification.
• Collaboration and research-informed regulations are crucial to protect vulnerable communities.
• Minimizing adverse effects of uranium exposure requires continued investigation into various treatment strategies.