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Environments
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Environmental Pollutant Exposure and Human Health
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Environmental Pollutant Exposure and Human Health

A special issue of Environments (ISSN 2076-3298).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2025 | Viewed by 3935

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Gabriele Donzelli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Institute of Clinical Physiology of the National Research Council (CNR-IFC), 56124 Pisa, Italy
2. Research Group in Social and Nutritional Epidemiology, Pharmacoepidemiology and Public Health, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitat de València, Av. Vicent Andrés Estelles s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
Interests: environmental epidemiology; human health; environmental pollution; epidemiological studies; biostatistics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. María M. Morales Suárez-Varela

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Research Group in Social and Nutritional Epidemiology, Pharmacoepidemiology and Public Health, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitat de València, Av. Vicent Andrés Estelles s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
2. Biomedical Research Center in Epidemiology and Public Health Network (CIBERESP), Carlos III Health Institute, Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5 Pabellón 11 Planta 0, 28029 Madrid, Spain
Interests: environmental epidemiology; human health; environmental pollution; epidemiological studies; biostatistics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Environmental pollutant exposure and its impact on human health have become critical areas of research, encompassing a wide range of pollutants beyond just air pollution. From industrial chemicals and pesticides to water contaminants and soil pollution, the cumulative health effects of exposure to these pollutants are increasingly evident, affecting not only respiratory and cardiovascular health but also neurological, reproductive, and developmental outcomes. Understanding the full scope of these impacts requires comprehensive investigation into various pollutants and their interaction with biological systems.

One of the significant challenges in this field is accurately quantifying individual exposure to environmental pollutants, which often exist as complex mixtures with varying pathways of human contact. These pollutants can originate from diverse sources such as agricultural runoff, industrial waste, or consumer products, and their effects are modulated by spatial, temporal, and personal factors. Furthermore, individual characteristics such as age, health status, occupation, and geographic location can heavily influence pollutant exposure and health outcomes.

Traditional assessment methods, including environmental monitoring stations or data based solely on residential proximity, may fail to capture the full picture of personal exposure to environmental pollutants. This Special Issue aims to address these limitations by highlighting research that utilizes advanced exposure assessment technologies. We invite submissions that explore the following topics:

Advanced environmental models: these models integrate data on pollutant sources, environmental conditions, human behavior, and health metrics to provide more precise estimates of individual exposure.

Personal exposure monitoring: wearable or portable devices that track real-time exposure to pollutants in various environments, offering insights into the everyday exposure of individuals.

We encourage contributions that investigate health effects linked to exposure to a broad range of environmental pollutants, alongside review articles that assess current methodologies and the progress made in overcoming the challenges of accurate exposure assessment. By focusing on these innovative approaches, we aim to deepen our understanding of the relationship between environmental pollutant exposure and human health, fostering new directions for research and public health interventions.

Dr. Gabriele Donzelli
Prof. Dr. María M. Morales Suárez-Varela
Guest Editors

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. Environments 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 1800 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

  • environmental epidemiology
  • environmental pollution
  • environmental health
  • human health
  • burden of disease

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 1608 KiB  
Article
Dissipation Kinetics and Dietary Risk Assessment of Boscalid Residues in Two Table-Grape Varieties Under Field Conditions
by Paraskevas Parlakidis, George S. Adamidis, Theodoros Doulaveris, Dimitrios Makaridis, Christos Alexoudis, Zisis Vryzas and Georgios D. Gikas
Environments 2025, 12(5), 133; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments12050133 - 22 Apr 2025
Abstract
Grape cultivation is crucial due to its significant dietary benefits and the production of various byproducts. Fungicides, like boscalid, are frequently applied to protect grape crops from several disease, ensuring both yield and quality. However, the excessive or inappropriate application of boscalid may [...] Read more.
Grape cultivation is crucial due to its significant dietary benefits and the production of various byproducts. Fungicides, like boscalid, are frequently applied to protect grape crops from several disease, ensuring both yield and quality. However, the excessive or inappropriate application of boscalid may pose health risks to humans. Therefore, the objectives of this field study were (a) to assess the pre-harvest interval (PHI) and dissipation of boscalid in two table-grape varieties (Soultanina and Crimson) under field conditions and (b) evaluate the potential health risks associated with grape consumption for both adults and children. The residue of boscalid in the grapes was determined using a modified QuEChERS method coupled with a high-performance liquid chromatography diode array detector (HPLC–DAD). The dissipation of boscalid followed first- and second-order kinetics, with half-lives ranging from 3.32 to 6.42 days and PHIs from 8.11 to 10.90 days. The dietary risk assessment indicated that the early to mid-post application period could pose risks for both age groups, with children facing three times the risk of adults. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Pollutant Exposure and Human Health)
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13 pages, 877 KiB  
Article
Climate, Pollution, and Maternal Health: Investigating the Impact of Temperature and Ozone on Birth Outcomes in Phoenix, Arizona
by Megan Witsoe, Kristin Mickelson, Paul Kang, Samantha Dinh, Brittany Krzyzanowski, Sai Anmisha Doddamreddy, Pooja Doehrman, Guangying Zhou and Jacqueline Nguyen
Environments 2025, 12(4), 118; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments12040118 - 11 Apr 2025
Viewed by 155
Abstract
Human actions have significantly modified the global environment, leading to adverse effects on public health. Pregnant women, being particularly vulnerable, face increasing risks as climate change continues to raise concerns about its influence on maternal and birth outcomes. As climate change persists, exploration [...] Read more.
Human actions have significantly modified the global environment, leading to adverse effects on public health. Pregnant women, being particularly vulnerable, face increasing risks as climate change continues to raise concerns about its influence on maternal and birth outcomes. As climate change persists, exploration of its effects on maternal birth outcomes is of increasing importance. This study investigates two particularly salient factors (temperature and ozone pollution) and their impact on birth outcomes in Phoenix, Arizona. With its unique mountainous terrain, semi-arid climate, and high temperatures, Phoenix creates conditions that expose residents to elevated levels of pollutants and extreme heat. This paper uses a retrospective cohort study of pregnant mothers who delivered during October 2018–December 2020 at St. Joseph’s Hospital and monthly temperature data during the last trimester of each patient’s pregnancy. These data were gathered from the National Weather Service and Ozone Air Quality Index data from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Our analyses revealed that the highest levels of ozone and elevated temperature exposure were both independently associated with lower birth weights. Furthermore, we found that ozone mediated the effect of temperature on birth weight outcomes (controlling for participants’ sociodemographics), demonstrating that the relationship between temperature and birth weight was explained through increases in ozone pollution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Pollutant Exposure and Human Health)
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11 pages, 2497 KiB  
Article
A Bioassay Analysis of Uranium and Lead in Urine Samples from a High Natural Background Radiation Area in Indonesia
by Very Susanto, Radhia Pradana, Eka Djatnika Nugraha, Prihadi Sumintadireja, Oumar Bobbo Modibo, Ilsa Rosianna, Nastiti Rahajeng, Haeranah Ahmad, Rusbani Kurniawan, Leons Rixson, Atika Yuningsih, Yusraini Dian Inayati Siregar, Asep Saepuloh, Wahyudi Wahyudi, Hirofumi Tazoe, Naofumi Akata and Shinji Tokonami
Environments 2025, 12(2), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments12020051 - 4 Feb 2025
Viewed by 989
Abstract
Heavy metal pollution is a major environmental concern due to the high toxicity of heavy metals in humans. High natural background radiation areas (HNBRAs) contain high concentrations of the radioactive element 238U, which decays into 206Pb, in their soil, crops, and [...] Read more.
Heavy metal pollution is a major environmental concern due to the high toxicity of heavy metals in humans. High natural background radiation areas (HNBRAs) contain high concentrations of the radioactive element 238U, which decays into 206Pb, in their soil, crops, and water. Concentrations of the heavy metals lead (Pb) and uranium (U) are, thus, correlated with HNBRAs. Mamuju in Indonesia is a recently studied HNBRA where high concentrations of Pb and U in the soil have been reported. The present study analyzes Mamuju residents’ exposure to Pb and U. Two zones in the study area were selected for comprehensive assessment. North Botteng was chosen to represent the HNBRA, and Topoyo was selected as the control zone, with 22 urine samples collected from each zone. The samples were analyzed using a quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The average concentrations of Pb measured in the urine samples were 1.31 mg L−1 and 0.77 mg L−1 in North Botteng and Topoyo, respectively. These values are higher than the urine Pb reference value of 5 µg L−1. The urine Pb concentrations in both studied zones were alarmingly high, which may have serious health effects on the population and should warrant action to reduce Pb exposure in this area. The committed effective dose from the ingestion of 238U in North Botteng was higher than in Topoyo, measuring 36.0 mSv and 8.9 mSv, respectively. The area most affected by the ingestion of 238U was the red bone marrow, followed by the bone surface. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Pollutant Exposure and Human Health)
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15 pages, 1559 KiB  
Article
Impact of Long-Term Changes in Ambient Erythema-Effective UV Radiation on the Personal Exposure of Indoor and Outdoor Workers—Case Study at Selected Sites in Europe
by Gudrun Laschewski
Environments 2025, 12(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments12010013 - 4 Jan 2025
Viewed by 825
Abstract
Given the persistently high incidence of skin cancer, there is a need for prevention-focused information on the impact of long-term changes in ambient solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) on human personal radiation exposure. The exposure categories of the UV Index linked to protection recommendations [...] Read more.
Given the persistently high incidence of skin cancer, there is a need for prevention-focused information on the impact of long-term changes in ambient solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) on human personal radiation exposure. The exposure categories of the UV Index linked to protection recommendations show long-term shifts in the frequency of occurrence with regional differences in direction and magnitude. The patterns of change for sites in the humid continental climate differ from those for sites in other climate zones such as the humid temperate or Mediterranean climate. The diversity of the individual exposures of indoor and outdoor workers can be described using probability models for personal erythema-effective UVR dose (UVD). For people who work indoors, the largest share of the total individual annual UVD is due to vacation, whereas for people who work outdoors, it is occupational exposure. The change in ambient UVDs at the residential locations is only partially reflected in the individual UVDs. For eight selected European sites between 38° and 60° northern latitude, the median of the individual annual total UVD (excluding travel) during the period 2009–2019 is 0.2 to 2.0% higher for indoor workers and 0.6 to 3.2% higher for outdoor workers compared to the period 1983–2008. Changes in the choice of an exemplary holiday destination offer both indoor and outdoor workers the potential to compensate for the observed long-term trend at their place of residence and work. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Pollutant Exposure and Human Health)
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Review

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11 pages, 2170 KiB  
Review
Review of Correlations Between Telomere Length and Metal Exposure Across Distinct Populations
by Zachary Beddingfield, Chao Ji, Gregory M. Zarus, Patricia Ruiz, Obaid Faroon, Henry Abadin, Breanna Alman, James M. Antonini and Mohammad Shoeb
Environments 2024, 11(12), 280; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments11120280 - 6 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1052
Abstract
Telomere length (TL) predicts the onset of replicative senescence, and its shortening is a limiter on the number of divisions individual somatic cells can perform. Metal-induced genotoxic events are discussed in Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s (ATSDR) toxicological profiles. In vivo [...] Read more.
Telomere length (TL) predicts the onset of replicative senescence, and its shortening is a limiter on the number of divisions individual somatic cells can perform. Metal-induced genotoxic events are discussed in Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s (ATSDR) toxicological profiles. In vivo and in vitro toxicological studies suggest the correlation between toxic metals and TL. However, the correlation between TL and exposure to toxic metals in human populations is unclear despite decades of observational research. We conducted a literature search within the ATSDR toxicological profiles and PubMed database for peer-reviewed articles as of 04/2023 discussing TL and metal exposure in human populations. Through review of the 272 publications meeting these criteria, we identified 25 observational studies that considered the correlation between TL and exposure to some or all of six metals: cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), lead (Pb), and cesium (Cs). Because reported effect sizes were often not comparable across studies, we performed a sign test based on the reported significance for each metal–TL correlation. We found that Cd was consistently significantly correlated with shorter telomeres (p = 0.016). However, no consistent linear relationship was observed between TL and any of the other metals considered. Exploring this association can enhance our understanding of how metal exposure may influence TL dysfunction. Our findings suggest that Cd exposure contributes to shorter TL, which may affect the DNA damage response (DDR) resulting in numerous chronic health conditions. Further, we highlight inconsistencies in findings on the correlation between metal exposure and TL across different populations and exposure levels. This suggests that correlations between some metals and TL may vary across populations, and that correlations may change at different exposure levels. Also, our findings suggest the need for further research on the potential for nonlinear relationships and non-additive effects of co-exposure to multiple hazardous metals, which could explain the inconsistencies observed across studies. The inconsistent incidences of metal–TL correlations justify additional exploration into the complex interaction between metals and TL. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Pollutant Exposure and Human Health)
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Other

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18 pages, 610 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Role of the Home Environment in Perinatal Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Epidemiological Studies
by Sana Amjad, Myah Verghese, Solmaz Bohlouli, Liz Dennett, Sue Chandra, Maria B. Ospina and Anita Kozyrskyj
Environments 2025, 12(4), 112; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments12040112 - 7 Apr 2025
Viewed by 255
Abstract
Perinatal depression is a leading cause of maternal morbidity worldwide, impacting about one-third of all pregnant individuals. The indoor home environment plays a critical role in the mental health of pregnant individuals, as they spend a substantial amount of their day inside their [...] Read more.
Perinatal depression is a leading cause of maternal morbidity worldwide, impacting about one-third of all pregnant individuals. The indoor home environment plays a critical role in the mental health of pregnant individuals, as they spend a substantial amount of their day inside their homes. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify, synthesize, and evaluate the available scientific literature on the association between home environment attributes related to stability, quality, and indoor exposures and perinatal depression. Comprehensive electronic searches were conducted in four major bibliographic databases. Dual independent screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were completed. Weighted Z-meta-analysis was conducted to synthesize the available evidence. The review included 27 observational epidemiological studies published between 2003 and 2024, involving 174,914 pregnant and/or postpartum individuals, which investigated the role of at least one home environment attribute in relation to perinatal depression. We found very strong evidence linking indoor air pollutants, particularly household tobacco smoke, to perinatal depression. We found strong evidence for the impact of housing instability on perinatal depression. In contrast, the evidence for associations involving housing quality and residential noise was weak. Our findings underscore the significance of incorporating home environment-focused initiatives in public health efforts to improve perinatal mental health. Further research is needed to identify common household attributes associated with poor perinatal mental health to inform future public intervention and policies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Pollutant Exposure and Human Health)
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