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Exposure and Toxicity of Emerging Organic Pollutants in Environment and...
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Exposure and Toxicity of Emerging Organic Pollutants in Environment and Human

A special issue of Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304). This special issue belongs to the section "Emerging Contaminants".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 5855

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Shuyan Zhao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Ocean Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
Interests: environmental behaviors of EOPs; environmental monitoring and analysis of pollutants; toxic effects of EOPs; bioaccumulation and biotransformation of EOPs; environmental risk assessment of EOPs
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Shuhong Fang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Resources and Environment, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu 610225, China
Interests: environmental behaviors of organic pollutants; risk assessment of POPs
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Emerging organic pollutants (EOPs) include antibiotics, personal care products, biocides, and industrial chemicals. The environment pollution generated by EOPs produces serious toxic residues that are detrimental to the environment and human health; this has become one of the greatest environmental challenges throughout the world. It is vital that the exposure and toxicity of EOPs in the environment are investigated. Future research should provide further data regarding the exposure and toxicological effects of EOPs on organisms at various levels (molecular, cellular, individual, species, population, and ecosystem).

This Special Issue welcomes papers on all relevant topics, including, but not limited to, the following:

  1. Detection techniques and assessment methods employed for EOPs in the environment and humans.
  2. Environmental monitoring and analysis of EOPs in the environment and humans.
  3. Toxicity characterization, bioaccumulation, transformation, and degradation of EOPs in plants and animals.
  4. Microbial degradation of EOPs.
  5. Human exposure and health risk assessment of EOPs.
  6. Remediation technologies and materials to reduce environment EOP pollutants or their bioavailability.

Dr. Shuyan Zhao
Dr. Shuhong Fang
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.

Keywords

  • emerging organic pollutants (EOPs)
  • exposure and toxicity
  • environmental behaviors
  • human exposure and health risk assessment
  • bioaccumulation and biotransformation
  • environmental monitoring and analysis
  • EOPs removal technology

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 3219 KiB  
Article
Bioaccumulation, Biotransformation and Oxidative Stress of 6:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonamidoalkyl Betaine (6:2 FTAB) in Earthworms (Eisenia fetida)
by Xinlei Zhang, Mengyao Fang, Zhiyuan Bai, Yulu Zong, Shuyan Zhao and Jingjing Zhan
Toxics 2025, 13(5), 337; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13050337 - 24 Apr 2025
Viewed by 95
Abstract
As a novel perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) alternative, 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide alkylbetaine (6: 2 FTAB) has been detected in the environment and biotas. However, its behaviors and toxicity in earthworms remain unclear. Here, earthworms (Eisenia fetida) were exposed to 6:2 FTAB to [...] Read more.
As a novel perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) alternative, 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide alkylbetaine (6: 2 FTAB) has been detected in the environment and biotas. However, its behaviors and toxicity in earthworms remain unclear. Here, earthworms (Eisenia fetida) were exposed to 6:2 FTAB to investigate its bioaccumulation, biotransformation and toxicity. Results indicated that 6:2 FTAB could be biodegraded in soil into perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA), perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) and perfluoropropionic acid (PFPrA). The uptake rate constant (ku) and the bioaccumulation factor (BAF) of 6:2 FTAB in earthworms were 0.0504 goc gww−1 d and 1.65 goc gww−1, respectively. 6:2 FTAB was biotransformed to form PFHxA, PFPeA, PFBA and PFPrA in earthworms after in vivo and in vitro exposure. The aerobic bacteria isolated from worm gut could degrade 6:2 FTAB to form PFPeA and PFHxA, while the anaerobic bacteria did not contribute to 6:2 FTAB biodegradation in worms. Peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were significantly increased, while no significant changes were observed for catalase (CAT) activities, demonstrating activation of the primary antioxidant defense system against oxidative stress in earthworms after exposure to 6:2 FTAB. The significant increase of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities suggested indirect evidence on the conjugation of 6:2 FTAB or its metabolites in phase II of detoxication. This study provides important information on the fate of 6:2 FTAB in earthworms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exposure and Toxicity of Emerging Organic Pollutants in Environment and Human)
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12 pages, 4545 KiB  
Article
Isolation and Characterization of Aerobic and Facultative Anaerobic 17β-Estradiol Degrading Bacteria in Paddy Soils and Their Potential Mechanisms
by Wenxin Li, Shuo Yang, Hanye Ju, Chunyu Wang, Huike Ye, Xiaodong Ma, Yaqiong Wang and Mohan Bai
Toxics 2025, 13(4), 292; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13040292 - 10 Apr 2025
Viewed by 222
Abstract
17β-estradiol (E2) contamination resulting from the widespread use of animal manure poses a new threat to the agricultural environment. Since anaerobic environments have been reported to significantly extend the persistence of E2, estrogen pollution of anaerobic farmland soils (e.g., paddy soils) is of [...] Read more.
17β-estradiol (E2) contamination resulting from the widespread use of animal manure poses a new threat to the agricultural environment. Since anaerobic environments have been reported to significantly extend the persistence of E2, estrogen pollution of anaerobic farmland soils (e.g., paddy soils) is of particular concern, necessitating the development of in situ high-efficiency E2 bioremediation microorganisms. In this work, six E2-degrading strains were isolated from paddy soils, including strains from Elizabethkingia, Stenotrophomonas, Microbacterium, Ochrobactrum, Gordonia, and Acinetobacter. Among these strains, Ochrobactrum sp. AEPI-SP11 and Acinetobacter sp. AEPI-SP17 were able to degrade over 90% of 20 mg/L E2 within 5 days. Although both AEPI-SP11 and AEPI-SP17 exhibited strong tolerance to pH, temperature, and initial E2 concentrations (2, 5, 20, and 50 mg/L), only AEPI-SP17 was capable of biodegrading E2 under anaerobic conditions. Based on genomic analysis, we further obtained the whole genome sequences of AEPI-SP11 and AEPI-SP17 and identified and compared potential genes responsible for estrogen degradation in the two strains. Overall, this work significantly enhances our understanding of E2-degrading strains in paddy soils, offers valuable insights into the degradation mechanisms under varying conditions, and provides potential microbial resources for the effective control of E2 pollution in farmlands. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exposure and Toxicity of Emerging Organic Pollutants in Environment and Human)
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12 pages, 2220 KiB  
Article
Significance of Morphology in Characterizing Human Health Risk from di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate in Polyvinyl Chloride Microplastics in Groundwater
by Ki-Han Song, Sang-Gyu Yoon, Jin-Yong Lee and Jinsung An
Toxics 2025, 13(2), 105; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13020105 - 28 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1062
Abstract
In this study, a human health risk assessment was performed on the ingestion route of groundwater containing polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics (MPs), and the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a representative additive, were determined. In particular, the impact of volume [...] Read more.
In this study, a human health risk assessment was performed on the ingestion route of groundwater containing polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics (MPs), and the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a representative additive, were determined. In particular, the impact of volume diversity according to the shape (morphology) of PVC MP (fragment, fiber, film) on the risk characterization was intensively explored. Firstly, a continuous particle size distribution following a power function was derived using the abundance ratio of PVC MPs by size in the investigated groundwater, and human health risk assessment for DEHP in the PVC MPs was performed through the volume distribution according to the shape of MPs. DEHP human health risk assessment showed an excess cancer risk (ECR) of below 10−6 for a 95% cumulative probability for all MP shapes, but the values varied depending on the shape. Sensitivity analysis showed that the parameter that most affected human health risk was MP volume, second to concentration, which is dependent on MP shape. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the variety of MP shapes during human health risk assessment, and it can be achieved through probabilistic risk assessment utilizing the probability distribution for size and shape of MPs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exposure and Toxicity of Emerging Organic Pollutants in Environment and Human)
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17 pages, 2292 KiB  
Article
Microplastic Particles Detected in Fetal Cord Blood, Placenta, and Meconium: A Pilot Study of Nine Mother–Infant Pairs in South China
by Minting Zhu, Xiaotian Li, Wei Lin, Dan Zeng, Pan Yang, Weigui Ni, Zhijian Chen, Bingyi Lin, Lijuan Lai, Zhongai Ouyang and Jingjie Fan
Toxics 2024, 12(12), 850; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12120850 - 26 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1791
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are emerging environmental pollutants. Pregnancy and infancy are sensitive windows for environmental exposure. However, few studies have investigated the presence of MPs in mother–infant pairs, or the exposure source. In this study, nine mother–infant pairs were recruited, and samples of placenta, [...] Read more.
Microplastics (MPs) are emerging environmental pollutants. Pregnancy and infancy are sensitive windows for environmental exposure. However, few studies have investigated the presence of MPs in mother–infant pairs, or the exposure source. In this study, nine mother–infant pairs were recruited, and samples of placenta, cord blood, and meconium were collected. Information about the living environment and dietary habits were collected to determine the source of exposure during pregnancy. Micro-Raman spectroscopy was applied to identify MPs. In total, 9, 4, and 14 types of MPs were identified in the placenta, cord blood, and meconium samples, with particle counts of 34, 14, and 80, respectively. More than 80.47% of MPs detected in samples had a size of 100–400 μm. The abundance of MPs exhibited the order of meconium > placenta > cord blood (Hc = 14.959, p < 0.01). We found that the abundance of MPs in meconium from women who drank tea ≥ 3 times/week during pregnancy was lower than in those who drank less (p = 0.048). Our study presents evidence of MPs transfer via the placenta–cord blood–meconium pathway. We also found that the habit of drinking tea among pregnant women might be related to the abundance of MPs in meconium. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exposure and Toxicity of Emerging Organic Pollutants in Environment and Human)
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10 pages, 722 KiB  
Article
Presence of N, N′-Substituted p-Phenylenediamine-Derived Quinones in Human Urine
by Juxiu Huang, Hangbiao Jin, Yingying Zhu, Ruyue Guo, Lisha Zhou and Xiaoyu Wu
Toxics 2024, 12(10), 733; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12100733 - 11 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1147
Abstract
Human exposure to various N,N′-substituted p-phenylenediamine-derived quinones (PPDQs) has been of increasing concern. Recent studies have examined N-phenyl-N′-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-p-phenylenediamine-derived quinone (6PPDQ) in human urine to evaluate human exposure. However, other PPDQs in human urine have not been thoroughly investigated. This study analyzed six PPDQs [...] Read more.
Human exposure to various N,N′-substituted p-phenylenediamine-derived quinones (PPDQs) has been of increasing concern. Recent studies have examined N-phenyl-N′-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-p-phenylenediamine-derived quinone (6PPDQ) in human urine to evaluate human exposure. However, other PPDQs in human urine have not been thoroughly investigated. This study analyzed six PPDQs in urine collected from 149 healthy individuals in Taizhou, China. All target PPDQs were detected, with 6PPDQ (mean 2.4 ng/mL, <limit of detection (LOD)–19 ng/mL) and 2-(cyclohexylamino)-5-(phenylamino)cyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione (CPPDQ; 2.1 ng/mL, <LOD–24 ng/mL) being the most prevalent. Human urinary concentrations of 2,5-bis((5-methylhexan-2-yl)amino)cyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione (77PDQ; mean 1.5 vs. 0.87 ng/mL; p = 0.013) and 2,5-bis(o-tolylamino)cyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione (mean 1.1 vs. 0.62 ng/mL; p = 0.027) were significantly higher in females compared to males. For CPPDQ (p < 0.01) and 6PPDQ (p < 0.01), a decrease was observed in urinary concentrations as participants aged. The daily excretion (DE) of PPDQs through urine was estimated for Chinese adults. The highest average DE was recorded for 6PPDQ at 81 ng/kg-bw/day, with a range from <0.5 to 475 ng/kg-bw/day. Following this, CPPDQ had a mean DE of 68 ng/kg-bw/day (range <0.5–516 ng/kg-bw/day), and 77PDQ had a mean DE of 30 ng/kg-bw/day (<0.5–481 ng/kg-bw/day). This study is the first to explore the presence of various PPDQs in human urinary samples, which is essential for assessing the potential health risks associated with these substances. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exposure and Toxicity of Emerging Organic Pollutants in Environment and Human)
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11 pages, 478 KiB  
Article
Association between Serum 6:2 Chlorinated Polyfluorinated Ether Sulfonate Concentrations and Lung Cancer
by Weili Mao, Jianli Qu, Ruyue Guo, Yuanchen Chen, Hangbiao Jin and Jingyan Xu
Toxics 2024, 12(8), 603; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12080603 - 19 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1268
Abstract
6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (6:2 Cl-PFESA) exhibits pronounced estrogenic effects, potentially influencing the etiology of lung cancer. This study assessed the potential associations between serum concentrations of 6:2 Cl-PFESA and lung cancer risk at the population level. Odds ratios (ORs) for lung [...] Read more.
6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (6:2 Cl-PFESA) exhibits pronounced estrogenic effects, potentially influencing the etiology of lung cancer. This study assessed the potential associations between serum concentrations of 6:2 Cl-PFESA and lung cancer risk at the population level. Odds ratios (ORs) for lung cancer across serum 6:2 Cl-PFESA quartiles were assessed using conditional logistic regression. Additionally, we investigated potential effect modification by various confounding factors. Elevated serum levels of 6:2 Cl-PFESA were consistently associated with an increased risk of lung cancer in both the crude model (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.08–2.42, p = 0.018) and the adjusted model (OR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.06–2.39, p = 0.026). Stratified analyses revealed that elevated serum levels of 6:2 Cl-PFESA were associated with increased risk estimates of lung cancer among males (adjusted OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.19–3.51, p = 0.006), smokers (adjusted OR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.25–4.89, p = 0.003), and drinkers (adjusted OR = 2.20, 95% CI: 0.94–5.16, p = 0.049). The results of this study imply that exposure to 6:2 Cl-PFESA at levels considered environmentally relevant may be linked to an elevated risk of developing lung cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exposure and Toxicity of Emerging Organic Pollutants in Environment and Human)
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