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Environmental Pollution and Impacts on Human Health

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Health, Well-Being and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 9278

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
Interests: environmental geochemistry; fate and transport of organic pollutants in different environmental matrices; risk assessment of organic pollutants
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Guest Editor
College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
Interests: fate and transport of emerging contaminants in water and soil; ecological risk assessment of emerging contaminants and potential impacts on human health

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the rapid development of society and economy, environmental pollution has become a serious problem worldwide. Environmental pollutants including traditional pollutants such as heavy metals and emerging pollutants, such as endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), are ubiquitous in the environment, with potential impacts on the ecosystem and human health. Various pollutants in the air, water and soil environments can accumulate in aquatic and terrestrial species and threaten human health via the food chain. They can cause damage to the human respiratory system, digestive system, endocrine system, nervous system, etc. However, the impacts of a wide variety of environmental pollutants on the ecosystem and human health are still far from clear. To achieve a sustainable development of society and environment, we need to better understand the fate and transport of environmental pollutants as well as their associated impacts on the ecosystem and human health. This Special Issue, entitled “Environmental Pollution and Impacts on Human Health”, which belongs to the section of “Health, Well-Being and Sustainability”, focuses on the environmental exposure and ecological risks of different environmental pollutants. We are pleased to invite you to contribute your relevant manuscripts focusing on (but not limited to) the following topics:

  • New technologies to identify and quantify environmental pollutants;
  • Fate and transport of traditional and emerging pollutants in different environmental matrices;
  • Novel degradation mechanism, pathways and environmental toxicity of environmental pollutants;
  • Ecological and human health effects of environmental pollutants;
  • Human exposure and risk assessment of different environmental pollutants;
  • Pollution control and removal strategies of environmental pollutants.

In this Special Issue, both original research articles and reviews are welcome. The keywords listed below represent a few of the priority topics we aim to address.  We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Hefa Cheng
Dr. Hui Zhi
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. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2400 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 pollutants
  • emerging contaminants
  • traditional pollutants
  • fate and transport
  • degradation mechanisms
  • degradation pathway
  • ecological risk assessment
  • human health

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

26 pages, 4495 KiB  
Article
Integrated Analysis of Indoor Air Quality and Fungal Microbiota in Educational Heritage Buildings: Implications for Health and Sustainability
by Alexandru Bogdan Ilies, Ovidiu Burtă, Sa’ad Al-Hyari Hadeel, Cristina Mircea, Maisa Al Shomali, Tudor Caciora, Mariana Ratiu, Ana Cornelia Pereș, Thowayeb H. Hassan, Bekzot Janzakov and Liviu Lazar
Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1091; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031091 - 29 Jan 2025
Viewed by 662
Abstract
Indoor air quality is paramount for the health and well-being of individuals, especially in enclosed spaces like office buildings, schools, hospitals, and homes where people spend a significant amount of time. Ensuring good indoor air quality is not only essential for reducing symptoms [...] Read more.
Indoor air quality is paramount for the health and well-being of individuals, especially in enclosed spaces like office buildings, schools, hospitals, and homes where people spend a significant amount of time. Ensuring good indoor air quality is not only essential for reducing symptoms such as headaches, eye and respiratory irritation, fatigue, and difficulty in concentration, but it is also a key component of sustainable building practices aimed at promoting long-term health and environmental balance. This study aims to explore the impact of the microclimate and fungal microbiota on the health and cognitive performance of occupants in a university classroom, which is part of a cultural heritage building. The research delves into various microclimatic parameters, including temperature, relative humidity, CO2, volatile organic compounds, O2, and particulate matters (PM2.5 and PM10), to understand their influence on the development of microbiota and the manifestation of symptoms associated with Sick Building Syndrome. Over the course of a year-long investigation, microbiological samples were collected, revealing the presence of 19 fungal species, with Cladosporium, Alternaria, and Aureobasidium being the most prevalent genera. These species were found to thrive in an environment characterized by inadequate ventilation, posing potential health risks to occupants, such as allergic reactions and respiratory infections. Microclimatic parameter values such as mean temperature of 22.9 °C and mean relative humidity of 38.5% indicated moderate conditions for fungal proliferation, but occasional high levels of PM2.5 and CO2 indicated periods of poor indoor air quality, negatively influencing the comfort and health of the occupants. The questionnaires completed by 190 students showed that 51.5% reported headaches, 44.2% frequent sneezing, and 43.7% severe fatigue, linking these symptoms to increased levels of CO2 and PM2.5. The novelty of the study lies in the integrated approach to indoor air quality assessment in a heritage educational building, highlighting the need for improved ventilation and air management to enhance health and cognitive performance, while emphasizing sustainable indoor environment management that balances occupant well-being with the preservation of cultural heritage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Pollution and Impacts on Human Health)
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25 pages, 4937 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Potential Impacts of Contaminants on the Water Quality of Lake Victoria: Two Case Studies in Uganda
by Brian Nalumenya, Matteo Rubinato, Jade Catterson, Michael Kennedy, Hilary Bakamwesiga and Disan Wabwire
Sustainability 2024, 16(20), 9128; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16209128 - 21 Oct 2024
Viewed by 2565
Abstract
Nutrients are essential for the growth of aquatic life; however, in excess, they can result in a decline in water quality, posing serious risks to both human and aquatic organisms. Human activities, such as urbanisation, industry, and farming, can increase the amount of [...] Read more.
Nutrients are essential for the growth of aquatic life; however, in excess, they can result in a decline in water quality, posing serious risks to both human and aquatic organisms. Human activities, such as urbanisation, industry, and farming, can increase the amount of nutrients and other elements that reach receiving waterbodies like Lake Victoria in Uganda, which can be problematic at elevated levels. There is therefore a strong need to evaluate recent changes in pollutant concentrations and their potential negative effects. To contribute to this gap and to explore the pollutant changes in Lake Victoria, a series of water chemistry data (phosphate, nitrate, potassium, ammonium, sodium, sulphate, silica and chlorine) was collected between 2016 and 2023 in Uganda’s Napoleon Gulf (NG) and Murchison Bay (MB), primarily by the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE). These locations were chosen based on their vicinity to expanding urban centres and agriculture, and they are also areas where fishing frequently occurs. The datasets were collected at different water depths (0.5–24 m). Data were analysed with the use of IBM’s Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 28.0) software and confirmed the excessive concentrations of pollutants within MB compared to NG. The analysis identified the different nutrient types that exceeded internationally recognised thresholds relating to acceptable water quality during the data collection period. Seasonal variations were observed, during the dry season; nutrient levels, however, in NG showed higher nutrient concentrations during the wet season. The study’s capacity to inform local authorities and policymakers about such potential major sources of pollution is of crucial importance for beginning to address the potential impacts on human health and aquatic life. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Pollution and Impacts on Human Health)
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16 pages, 4773 KiB  
Article
Pollution Source and Soil Quality Assessments of Heavily Contaminated Soils by Selected Potentially Toxic Elements in a Human-Degraded Wetland Area
by Mehmet Ali Kurt, Sezen Yalçın, Cüneyt Güler, Onur Güven and Ümit Yıldırım
Sustainability 2024, 16(13), 5477; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16135477 - 27 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1137
Abstract
Wetlands are transitional between terrestrial and aquatic environments and have essential ecological functions. Unfortunately, due to anthropogenic activities and climate change, the area covered by wetlands is gradually decreasing worldwide, causing deterioration and loss of their critical and vital ecological functions. One of [...] Read more.
Wetlands are transitional between terrestrial and aquatic environments and have essential ecological functions. Unfortunately, due to anthropogenic activities and climate change, the area covered by wetlands is gradually decreasing worldwide, causing deterioration and loss of their critical and vital ecological functions. One of these degraded wetlands is the Hürmetçi Sazlığı, a nationally important wetland located in the Kayseri Province of Turkey. This study aims to determine the spatial and vertical (depth profile) distribution and the sources of the potentially toxic elements (PTEs) As, Cd, Pb, and Zn in the soils around the Hürmetçi Sazlığı Wetland (HSW) and to evaluate environmental risk factors using various soil quality indicators. According to the results obtained, it was determined that some parts of the wetland soils were significantly polluted in terms of As, Cd, Pb, and Zn. The concentrations (in mg/kg) of these PTEs in the soil around the wetland ranged between 9.12 and 273.9 for As, 0.38 and 1119.46 for Cd, 3.59 and 1807.66 for Pb, and 41.68 and 77,287.5 for Zn. Several soil quality indicators, including the Enrichment Factor (EF), Contamination Factor (CF), Ecological Risk Index (ERI), and Potential Ecological Risk Index (RI), were calculated to determine the quality and pollution levels of the collected soil samples. According to the calculated RI values, 70 out of 77 sites sampled in the area around the HSW are in the “High Risk” class in terms of all studied PTEs. The soil profile samples indicated that the topsoil (0–50 cm) was heavily contaminated by all PTEs, particularly near a zinc processing plant established in 1976. In addition, parts of the wetland further away from the Zn processing plant were also affected by arsenic pollution from geogenic sources, which can be associated with Plio-Quaternary volcanic activity in the region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Pollution and Impacts on Human Health)
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17 pages, 1543 KiB  
Article
Anthropression as a Factor Affecting the Content of Heavy Metals in the Flowers of Sambucus nigra L.—A Medicinal Plant Affecting Human Health
by Anna Figas, Mirosław Kobierski, Anetta Siwik-Ziomek, Magdalena Tomaszewska-Sowa and Zofia Gruszka
Sustainability 2024, 16(11), 4641; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114641 - 30 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1054
Abstract
The harvesting of herbs from urban and peri-urban areas requires systematic monitoring of soils and plants, especially of trace element concentrations. The aim of the study was to assess the phytoaccumulation of selected trace elements (Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn) in elderberry flowers [...] Read more.
The harvesting of herbs from urban and peri-urban areas requires systematic monitoring of soils and plants, especially of trace element concentrations. The aim of the study was to assess the phytoaccumulation of selected trace elements (Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn) in elderberry flowers from the Kuyavian-Pomeranian province (Poland). The enzymatic activity of soils was also assessed in the context of the impact of metals on the biological properties of soils at risk of contamination with trace elements. Soil and plant samples were taken from seven locations with different anthropopressures. Flowers from sites with a high frequency of road traffic were characterized by a greater number of elements (location 1, 3–7) than from areas away from busy roads (location 2). The correlation analysis showed that Cu and Zn contents were highly correlated in the flowers of elderberry as compared to the corresponding soils seven locations with different anthropopressures Regarding the Zn content, only flowers from habitats 1, 2, 7 met the conditions specified in the WHO standard for herbs used in herbal medicine (<50 mg·kg−1). Based on the conducted research, it was found that the level of soil enzymatic activity in the tested soils varied within wide limits but clearly depended on their location. The highest enzyme activity in the soil was found in soil from town center 1 (location 3), where high DHA dehydrogenase DHA (114.5 mg TPF·g−1·24 h−1), fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis FDA (51.26 μg F·g−1·h−1), and β-glucosidases GLUC activity (4.833 μg pNP·g−1·h−1) were determined, as well as in soil from residential area 2 (location 3), where high DHA (165.9 mg TPF·g−1·24 h−1) and FDA (48.23 μg F·g−1·h−1) activity were determined. Analyzing the soil properties, it can be concluded that the content of Cut and Znt in the soil and their forms available for plants, as well as DHA activity, correlates most closely with the content of organic matter. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Pollution and Impacts on Human Health)
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15 pages, 8312 KiB  
Article
The Relation between Atmospheric Aerosol Concentration and SARS-CoV-2 Variants’ Infection and Mortality Rates in the United States: A Remote-Sensing Perspective
by Yasin Elshorbany, Sarah Mixson, Laila Marcum and Jason L. Salemi
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3381; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083381 - 17 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1407
Abstract
Numerous studies have highlighted the health benefits associated with reducing aerosol particles and other pollutants. Recent studies have shown a positive correlation between exposure to aerosol particles and COVID-19 cases. In this study, we investigate the relationship between aerosol particle concentration and COVID-19 [...] Read more.
Numerous studies have highlighted the health benefits associated with reducing aerosol particles and other pollutants. Recent studies have shown a positive correlation between exposure to aerosol particles and COVID-19 cases. In this study, we investigate the relationship between aerosol particle concentration and COVID-19 variants’ infection and mortality rates. Remote-sensing data on aerosol optical depth (AOD), a surrogate for atmospheric aerosol levels, were collected and analyzed in three regions within the states of California, Illinois, and North and South Carolina. These regions were selected to reflect the variability in aerosol concentration and anomalies during the COVID-19 period (2020–2022) compared to a reference period (2010–2019). We found consistent positive linear correlations across most regions between COVID-19 mortality rates and AOD levels below 0.2. These correlations were found to be independent of the change in aerosol levels relative to the reference period. In North and South Carolina, the Delta variant was associated with not only a high mortality rate but also a steeper increase in mortality rate per AOD of 39.6 ± 1.5 (R2 = 0.87) compared to Alpha at 10.5 ± 0.3 (R2 = 0.85). However, due to the lower mortality rate of the Delta variant compared to the Alpha variant in Illinois, the Delta variant has a lower correlation slope of 28.3 ± 1 (R2 = 0.94) compared to the Alpha variant at 52.1 ± 1.8 (R2 = 0.78). No correlation between mortality rate and AOD was observed for the Omicron variants in any of the investigated regions except in California where a weak positive correlation was evident. Our findings establish a compelling link between aerosol concentrations and SARS-CoV-2 infection and mortality. Our results underscore the urgent need for further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and broader implications, leading to more sustainable solutions to curb the airborne transmission of COVID-19 viruses and other viral infections in general. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Pollution and Impacts on Human Health)
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20 pages, 3555 KiB  
Article
BTEX Assessment among Informal Charcoal-Burning Food Traders for Cleaner and Sustainable Environment
by Lebogang Phama, Goitsemang Keretetse, Thokozani Mbonane, Phoka Rathebe, Robert Makae and Masilu Daniel Masekameni
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3336; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083336 - 16 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1487
Abstract
This study assessed the cleaner and sustainable environment by measuring emission levels of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) from informal food traders using charcoal as the primary source of energy at a flea market in Fordsburg, Johannesburg. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were [...] Read more.
This study assessed the cleaner and sustainable environment by measuring emission levels of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) from informal food traders using charcoal as the primary source of energy at a flea market in Fordsburg, Johannesburg. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured using a real-time monitor (MiniRae 3000 photoionization detector); an indoor air quality (IAQ) monitor was used to monitor environmental parameters and passive samplers in the form of Radiello badges, which were used to determine BTEX emissions from charcoal used during food preparation. Measurements were taken at 1.5 m above ground assuming the receptor’s breathing circumference using PID and Radiello. PID data were downloaded and analyzed using Microsoft Excel (Version 2019). Radiellos were sent to the laboratory to determine the BTEX levels from the total VOCs. The total volatile organic compound (TVOC) concentration over the combustion cycle was 306.7 ± 62.8 ppm. The flaming phase had the highest VOC concentration (547 ± 110.46 ppm), followed by the ignition phase (339.44 ± 40.6 ppm) and coking with the lowest concentration (24.64 ± 14.3). The average BTEX concentration was 15.7 ± 5.9 µg/m3 corresponding to the entire combustion cycle. BTEX concentrations were highest at the flaming phase (23.6 µg/m3) followed by the ignition (13.4 µg/m3) and coking phase (9.45 µg/m3). Ignition phase versus the flaming phase, there was a significant difference at 95% at a p-value of 0.09; ignition phase versus the coking phase, there was a significant difference at 95% at a p-value of 0.039; and coking phase versus the flaming phase, there was a significant difference at 95% at a p-value of 0.025. When compared to the occupational exposure limits (OELs), none of the exposure concentrations (BTEX) were above the 8 h exposure limit. The findings of this study suggest that charcoal, as a source of energy, can still be a useful and sustainable fuel for informal food traders. Shortening the ignition and flaming phase duration by using a fan to supply sufficient air can further reduce exposure to VOCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Pollution and Impacts on Human Health)
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