Organochlorine Pesticides and Salinity in Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan: Environmental Health Risks Associated with the Aral Sea Crisis.

ABSTRACT: The legacy of Soviet-era agricultural practices in Central Asia has contributed to severe environmental degradation through residual organochlorine pesticide contamination, dramatic reduction in surface water, and the near-total desiccation of the Aral Sea. Few studies have investigated hazards to human health, despite the region's elevated burden of disease. This study aimed to characterize environmental hazards in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, one of the most environmentally and economically impacted regions. Environmental assessment included the collection of 140 soil, water, and sediment samples across 79 unique locations. Pesticide results showed organochlorine pesticides over US reference levels in 100% of water samples, with 30% also exceeding in hexavalent chromium. Water salinit

SUBMITTER: Bartrem C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12652755 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature