Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
4.5
3.9
Journals
Toxics
Special Issues
Traditional and Emerging Pollutants: Human Exposure Profiles and Health Effects
share announcement

Traditional and Emerging Pollutants: Human Exposure Profiles and Health Effects

A special issue of Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304). This special issue belongs to the section "Human Toxicology and Epidemiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2025 | Viewed by 8130

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Pan Yang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
Interests: environmental exposure and fetal development; environmental exposure and reproductive health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Studies have shown that the number of high-volume toxic and hazardous chemicals, which are persistent, bioaccumulative, carcinogenic, mutagenic, and have reproductive toxicity, has now reached more than 600. These chemicals can enter the environment at all stages of production, processing, use, and consumption, posing potential environmental and health risks.

Toxic and hazardous chemicals are the main sources of emerging contaminants (ECs), and there are currently four main categories of ECs that we are concerned about: persistent organic pollutants (POPs), endocrine disruptors, antibiotics, and microplastics. They are considered to be hot research topics in the future. Humans can be exposed to them either due to their occupations or through dietary and environmental exposure (water, soil, and air), and it is becoming increasingly difficult to avoid exposure to traditional and emerging pollutants. However, the paucity of studies on ECs and the inconsistency of their findings remain controversial. The aim of this Special Issue is to identify reliable evidence showing the effects of compound exposure to traditional and emerging pollutants on the health of adult male and female, as well as on fetus growth and development.

Therefore, in this Special Issue, “Traditional and Emerging Pollutants: Human Exposure Profiles and Health Effects”, we accept excellent research that addresses one or more of the following topics, among others:

  • Emerging pollutants;
  • Human exposure profiles;
  • Mixed exposure;
  • Health damage.

Prof. Dr. Pan Yang
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Toxics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • exposure assessment
  • emerging pollutants
  • mixed exposure
  • health effect and damage
  • epigenomics

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

12 pages, 4009 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Selenium Against Cadmium-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats: The Role of the TRPM2 Channel
by Ömer Faruk Keleş, Mehmet Hafit Bayir, Hacı Ahmet Çiçek, Adem Ahlatcı and Kenan Yıldızhan
Toxics 2025, 13(2), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13020087 - 24 Jan 2025
Viewed by 430
Abstract
This study investigated the protective effect of selenium (Se) in a cadmium (Cd)-induced nephrotoxicity model in rats and the role of the TRPM2 channel in this mechanism. For this purpose, Cd (25 mg/kg orally), Se (0.5 mg/kg i.p.), and 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB), a [...] Read more.
This study investigated the protective effect of selenium (Se) in a cadmium (Cd)-induced nephrotoxicity model in rats and the role of the TRPM2 channel in this mechanism. For this purpose, Cd (25 mg/kg orally), Se (0.5 mg/kg i.p.), and 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB), a TRPM2 channel antagonist, (3 mg/kg i.p.) were administered to rats every day for 5 days. At the end of the study, kidney tissues were analysed using histological and biochemical methods. A histopathological examination revealed congestion, tubular degeneration, necrosis, and glomerular adhesion in the Cd group. However, these lesions were significantly reduced in the Cd + Se and Cd + 2-APB groups, while the Cd + Se + 2-APB group showed a histological appearance similar to the control group. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that Caspase-3, Bax, and TRPM2 expression was higher in the Cd group, while these levels were lower in the Se and 2-APB treatment groups (p < 0.05). Among the groups that received Cd, urea, creatinine, TOS, TNF-α, and IL-1β levels were at the highest level in the Cd group, while TAS level was at the lowest level (p < 0.05). The Se and 2-APB treatment modulated these parameters; however, Se + 2-APB treatment reduced urea, creatinine, TOS, TNF-α, and IL-1β levels to the lowest level compared to the Cd groups and brought the TAS level closer to the control group (p < 0.05). These findings indicated that targeting TRPM2 channel inactivation together with the selenium treatment could alleviate Cd-induced nephrotoxicity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Traditional and Emerging Pollutants: Human Exposure Profiles and Health Effects)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

17 pages, 2390 KiB  
Article
Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds in Relation to Visceral Adiposity Index and Lipid Accumulation Product Among U.S. Adults: NHANES 2011–2018
by Ziyi Qian, Chenxu Dai, Siyan Chen, Linjie Yang and Xia Huo
Toxics 2025, 13(1), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13010046 - 9 Jan 2025
Viewed by 551
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are associated with obesity health risks, while the association of mixed VOCs with visceral adiposity indicators remains unclear. In this study, a total of 2015 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were included. Weighted generalized [...] Read more.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are associated with obesity health risks, while the association of mixed VOCs with visceral adiposity indicators remains unclear. In this study, a total of 2015 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were included. Weighted generalized linear models, restricted cubic spline (RCS), weighted quantile sum (WQS), and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) were adopted to assess the association of VOC metabolites (mVOCs) with the visceral adiposity index (VAI) and lipid accumulation product (LAP). Multiple mVOCs were positively associated with the VAI and LAP in the single-exposure model, especially N-acetyl-S-(2-carboxyethyl)-L-cysteine (CEMA) and N-acetyl-S-(N-methylcarbamoyl)-L-cysteine (AMCC). The associations of mVOCs with VAI and LAP were more significant in <60-year-old and non-obese individuals, with interactions of CEMA with age and AMCC with obesity status. Nonlinear relationships between certain mVOCs and the VAI or the LAP were also observed. In the WQS model, co-exposure to mVOCs was positively correlated with the VAI [β (95%CI): 0.084 (0.022, 0.147)]; CEMA (25.24%) was the major contributor. The result of the BKMR revealed a positive trend of the association between mixed mVOCs and the VAI. Our findings suggest that VOC exposure is strongly associated with visceral obesity indicators. Further large prospective investigations are necessary to support our findings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Traditional and Emerging Pollutants: Human Exposure Profiles and Health Effects)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 1829 KiB  
Article
Leukocyte Telomere Length Mediates the Associations between Blood Lead and Cadmium with Hypertension among Adults in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Changping Ouyang, Yinan Yang, Jinhua Pan, Heming Liu, Xuemei Wang, Shengze Zhou, Xiaoru Shi, Yanxia Zhang, Dan Wang and Xiaobin Hu
Toxics 2024, 12(6), 409; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12060409 - 3 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1248
Abstract
There is evidence to support the links between lead and cadmium exposure with hypertension and also with leukocyte telomere length (LTL). The objective of this study is to investigate the role that LTL may play in the relationship between lead and cadmium exposure [...] Read more.
There is evidence to support the links between lead and cadmium exposure with hypertension and also with leukocyte telomere length (LTL). The objective of this study is to investigate the role that LTL may play in the relationship between lead and cadmium exposure and hypertension. This study consisted of 3718 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2002. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between blood metals with hypertension, and the mediating model was used to evaluate the mediating effect of LTL. In the fully adjusted model, both blood lead and cadmium ln-transformed concentrations were significantly positively associated with hypertension risk, as were all quartiles of blood lead. Additionally, we observed positive linear dose–response relationships with hypertension by restricted cubic spline analysis (both p overall < 0.001, p non-linear = 0.3008 for lead and p non-linear = 0.7611 for cadmium). The ln-transformed blood lead and cadmium concentrations were associated with shorter LTL. LTL was inversely related to hypertension and the OR was 0.65 (95% CI: 0.47 to 0.89). Furthermore, LTL had mediating effects on the associations of blood lead and cadmium with hypertension risk, and the mediation proportions were 2.25% and 4.20%, respectively. Our findings suggested that exposure to lead and cadmium raised the risk of hypertension, while LTL played as a mediating factor. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Traditional and Emerging Pollutants: Human Exposure Profiles and Health Effects)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 851 KiB  
Article
Temporal Trend of Serum Perfluorooctanoic Acid and Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid among U.S. Adults with or without Comorbidities in NHANES 1999–2018
by Jinhua Pan, Changping Ouyang, Shengze Zhou, Xuemei Wang, Heming Liu, Jia Zhang, Xiao Wang, Xiaoru Shi, Aimin Yang and Xiaobin Hu
Toxics 2024, 12(5), 314; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12050314 - 26 Apr 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2135
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are associated with adverse health effects. This study examined the trend of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) levels in individuals with and without pre-existing comorbidities. We analyzed the characteristics of 13,887 participants across nine U.S. [...] Read more.
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are associated with adverse health effects. This study examined the trend of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) levels in individuals with and without pre-existing comorbidities. We analyzed the characteristics of 13,887 participants across nine U.S. NHANES cycles (1999–2000 to 2017–2018) and calculated the geometric mean (GM) of PFOA and PFOS levels, standardized by sex and age. A joinpoint regression model was used to analyze the temporal trends of serum PFOA and PFOS levels. We observed declining PFOA and PFOS serum levels among adults in NHANES from 1999–2000 to 2017–2018. Serum PFOA and PFOS concentrations were higher in men, smokers, and individuals with pre-existing CKD, hyperlipidemia, CVD, and cancer. We observed faster decline rates in PFOA levels among individuals with diabetes and CKD and faster decline rates in PFOS levels among individuals with diabetes and those without CKD. This study provided evidence of varying levels and changing trends of PFOA and PFOS between groups with and without established chronic disease, highlighting the role of environmental chemicals in the onset and development of chronic diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Traditional and Emerging Pollutants: Human Exposure Profiles and Health Effects)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

29 pages, 1448 KiB  
Review
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Affect Female Reproductive Health: Epidemiological Evidence and Underlying Mechanisms
by Rui Qu, Jingxuan Wang, Xiaojie Li, Yan Zhang, Tailang Yin and Pan Yang
Toxics 2024, 12(9), 678; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12090678 - 18 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2816
Abstract
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been extensively used across numerous industries and consumer goods. Due to their high persistence and mobility, they are ubiquitous in the environment. Exposure to PFAS occurs in people via multiple pathways such as dermal contact, water supply, [...] Read more.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been extensively used across numerous industries and consumer goods. Due to their high persistence and mobility, they are ubiquitous in the environment. Exposure to PFAS occurs in people via multiple pathways such as dermal contact, water supply, air inhalation, and dietary intake. Even if some PFAS are being phased out because of their persistent presence in the environment and harmful impacts on human health, mixes of replacement and legacy PFAS will continue to pollute the ecosystem. Numerous toxicological investigations have revealed harmful effects of PFAS exposure on female reproductive health, e.g., polycystic ovaries syndrome, premature ovarian failure, endometriosis, reproductive system tumors, pregnancy complications, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Despite extensive epidemiological studies on the reproductive toxicity of PFAS, research findings remain inconsistent, and the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In this review, we give an in-depth description of the sources and pathways of PFAS, and then review the reproductive toxicity of PFAS and its possible mechanisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Traditional and Emerging Pollutants: Human Exposure Profiles and Health Effects)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop