Chemical Hazards in Products of Animal Origin in Cambodia from 2000 to 2023: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Issued Date
2025-08-01
Resource Type
ISSN
16617827
eISSN
16604601
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105014294412
Journal Title
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume
22
Issue
8
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Vol.22 No.8 (2025)
Suggested Citation
San S.P., Nicolaides L., Grace D., Charaslertrangsi T., Chamnan C., Thombathu S.S., Thorng R., Kong L., Noeurn S., Fidero K., Ratana C., Zand N., Chea R. Chemical Hazards in Products of Animal Origin in Cambodia from 2000 to 2023: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Vol.22 No.8 (2025). doi:10.3390/ijerph22081299 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/111923
Title
Chemical Hazards in Products of Animal Origin in Cambodia from 2000 to 2023: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Author's Affiliation
Mahidol University
University of Greenwich
International Livestock Research Institute Nairobi
United Nations Industrial Development Organization
National Institute of Science, Technology and Innovation
Fisheries Administration
National Animal Health and Production Research Institute
Consumer Protection Competition and Freud Repression Directorate General
University of Greenwich
International Livestock Research Institute Nairobi
United Nations Industrial Development Organization
National Institute of Science, Technology and Innovation
Fisheries Administration
National Animal Health and Production Research Institute
Consumer Protection Competition and Freud Repression Directorate General
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Chemical hazards in food present a significant health risk. The objective of our review is to understand health risks associated with chemical contaminants in products of animal origin (POAO) in Cambodia, where there is no known published study. We followed the “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses” (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 23 reports were included for review. The findings are presented according to the PRISMA guidelines. The studies mostly focused on fishery products, with arsenic and mercury being the most frequently studied hazards. The evidence of banned substances such as chloramphenicol and certain organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), including chlordane and Mirex, was reported in fish and meat. Additionally, mercury levels were measured in beef, pork, viscera, and eggs, but the average concentration remained significantly below the hazard index. The average concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in smoked fish exceeded the EU limits, ranging from 0.034 to 17.2 mg/kg, with an average mean concentration of 1.92 mg/kg. The pooled geometric means of arsenic and mercury in fish were 0.40 mg/kg (95% CI: 0.25–0.66) and ~0.14 mg/kg (95% CI: 0.087 to 0.223), respectively. The health risk of mercury contamination in fishery products needs the attention of the risk managers. However, industrial contaminants such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and butyl tin in marine fishes were lower than those reported elsewhere, such as Japan. We discuss the implications of the findings for human health and national food control systems (NFCS), the capacity of different agencies to undertake chemical risk assessment, the utility of systematic literature reviews (SLRs) for risk assessment and communication in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and the need for further research.