Emerging Techniques in Monitoring and Mitigating Health Risks of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) in the Environment

Dear Colleagues,

Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs), such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury, pose escalating threats to environmental sustainability and human health due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. These contaminants infiltrate ecosystems through industrial activities, agricultural practices, and natural processes, contaminating soil, water, and air. Chronic exposure to PTEs is linked to severe health outcomes, including neurological disorders, organ damage, and cancer, underscoring the urgent need for innovative solutions to monitor, diagnose, and mitigate their risks.

This Special Issue, titled "Emerging Techniques in Monitoring and Mitigating Health Risks of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) in the Environment," will compile cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary advancements addressing the challenges of PTE contamination. We aim to highlight novel methodologies, technologies, and strategies that enhance detection accuracy, improve exposure management, and enable sustainable remediation. By bridging gaps between environmental science, biotechnology, and public health, this Special Issue will foster actionable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners working toward global environmental safety.

We welcome submissions of original research articles, reviews, and case studies focusing on, but not limited to, the following themes:

1. Advanced Testing and Monitoring Methods for PTEs: Innovations in sensors, remote sensing, AI-driven analytics, and real-time detection systems.
2. Breakthroughs in the Diagnosis and Treatment of PTE Exposure: Biomarkers, chelation therapies, nanomedicine, and personalized healthcare approaches;
3. Mechanisms of PTE Migration and Transformation: Dynamics of PTEs in soil–water–air systems, bioavailability studies, and biogeochemical interactions;
4. Smart Remediation Technologies: Phytoremediation, biochar, nanotechnology, and AI-guided decontamination strategies;
5. Emerging Risk Identification Tools: Machine learning models, geospatial mapping, and integrative risk assessment frameworks;
6. Novel Mitigation Strategies: Policy innovations, circular economy solutions, and community-engaged risk reduction programs.

By synthesizing global expertise, this Special Issue will advance the frontier of PTE research and empower stakeholders to combat environmental toxicity. We eagerly anticipate receiving your contributions to this vital scientific endeavor.

Dr. Xiongyi Miao
Dr. Shi Yu
Dr. Zhongkang Yang
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. 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.

• potentially toxic elements
• smart remediation technologies
• risk assessment and mitigation
• biogeochemical cycles
• biomarkers of exposure
• bioavailability and toxicity mechanisms
• environmental monitoring