Title: Nucleic acids accumulation in environmental waste release: a scientific map of particulate nucleic acid yet unattended and a potential outbreak helix-spring

Authors: Bright Esegbuyota Igere; Hope Onohuean; Emmanuel Erufuare Odjadjare

Addresses: Biotechnology and Emerging Environmental Infections Pathogens Research Group (BEEIPREG), Microbiology Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, Dennis Osadebay University Anwai, Asaba, 320242, Delta State, Nigeria ' Biopharmaceutics Unit, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Kampala International University, Ishaka-Bushenyi, 10101, Uganda ' Department of Biological Sciences, Benson Idahosa University, P.M.B. 1100, Benin City, 300213, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract: Various nucleic acid containing wastes released into the environment have been associated with diverse natural phenomena and health-related concerns. This has made environmental health practitioners, and other sectors, to continuously stress on the need for adroit application/implementation of environmental-health-related policy (e.g. water reuse policy/act, especially in continents applying water reuse act) and environmental-wellness act. Although some scientific progress has been made, there is still a non-negligible particulate nucleic acid containing environmental-waste-release in some localities. The current study determines nucleic acid (NA) accumulation/increase in environmental release; a scientific map of particulate nucleic acid yet unattended and a potential outbreak helix-spring. Using the PRISMA procedure, relevant documents were collated from Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus from January 1975 to December 2023. Reports show prevalence of NA in environmental-release which varied with the applied sampling methods and poor application/implementation of removal strategies, which suggests prompt action for appropriately control/remove of release and potential impacts.

Keywords: wastewater; nucleic acids (NA) in environmental-release; cfNA; cell-free nucleic acid; extra-chromosomal DNA; environmental health risk.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2023.139843

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2023 Vol.73 No.1/2/3/4, pp.1 - 23

Received: 28 Sep 2023
Accepted: 30 Jan 2024
Published online: 08 Jul 2024 *

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