Topic: Impact of Emerging Environmental Pollutants on Human Health

Emerging contaminants—including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, Chlorinated paraffins, microplastics, organophosphorus flame retardants, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals—are increasingly detected in diverse environmental media such as the atmosphere, water, soil, and food. There is growing concern regarding their potential to induce adverse health effects across multiple physiological systems, including the respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, reproductive, immune, and urinary systems.

This special issue will explore the complex relationships between multi-media exposure to emerging contaminants and health outcomes across the general population. We seek interdisciplinary research that clarifies exposure pathways, identifies system-specific health effects, evaluates exposure risks, and examines public health implications. Key themes and objectives include:

● Assessing System-Specific Health Risks: Evaluating the effects of environmental exposure on various physiological systems, with a focus on developmental, neurological, metabolic, reproductive, immune, and endocrine outcomes;

● Elucidating Toxicity Mechanisms: Exploring biological and molecular mechanisms that drive health effects in target systems, such as endocrine disruption, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses;

● Informing Public Health Interventions: Proposing evidence-based strategies for exposure mitigation, regulatory guidance, and risk communication to protect public health.