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Toxics
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Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment of Priority Substances
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Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment of Priority Substances

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 December 2025 | Viewed by 7469

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Xin Zheng

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Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, China
Interests: ecotoxicology; water quality criteria; ecological risk assessment of POPs
Dr. Tianxu Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
Interests: toxicology; emerging pollutants; aquatic animal; adverse outcome pathways
Dr. Shuhui Men

E-Mail
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, China
Interests: environmental toxicology; water quality criteria; basin water ecology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on environmental toxicology and the risk assessment of priority substances in order to address the growing concerns regarding chemical pollutants and their impact on ecosystems and human health. As the complexity of environmental contaminants increases, there is an urgent need for innovative approaches to the assessment and prediction of potential hazards. We welcome original research, reviews, and short communications that explore novel methodologies for identifying, quantifying, and evaluating the risks associated with priority substances. Topics include the development and application of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for toxicity prediction, in vitro and in silico models, advanced analytical techniques for detecting and monitoring emerging contaminants, and the integration of artificial intelligence into risk assessment. We welcome the submission of papers that investigate the toxic effects of priority substances at various biological levels, from molecular mechanisms to ecosystem-wide impacts. We also welcome research utilizing microcosm experiments to simulate complex environmental interactions. Additionally, we seek contributions on the interactions between priority substances and other environmental stressors, studies that associate laboratory findings with real-world scenarios, and papers that address the challenges related to the translation of scientific knowledge into regulatory frameworks. This multidisciplinary approach aims to contribute to more effective and sustainable strategies for managing priority substances, ultimately supporting the protection of environmental and human health.

Dr. Xin Zheng
Dr. Tianxu Zhang
Dr. Shuhui Men
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

  • Environmental toxicology
  • Risk assessment
  • Priority substances
  • New Approach Methodologies (NAMs)
  • Emerging contaminant monitoring
  • Toxicity effects
  • Microcosm experiments

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

19 pages, 629 KB  
Article
Pesticide and Liver Biomarkers Among Ecuadorian Adolescents and Adults Living in Agricultural Settings
by Priyanka Mehta, Rajendra P. Parajuli, Briana N. C. Chronister, Kun Yang, Dana B. Barr, Xin M. Tu, Dolores Lopez-Paredes and Jose R. Suarez-Lopez
Toxics 2025, 13(8), 685; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13080685 - 18 Aug 2025
Viewed by 598
Abstract
Background: Experimental studies suggest that some insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides can result in liver cell death, but population-based evidence is lacking. We investigated associations between urinary pesticide metabolites and liver biomarkers among adolescents and adults in an Ecuadorian agricultural area. Methods: We examined [...] Read more.
Background: Experimental studies suggest that some insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides can result in liver cell death, but population-based evidence is lacking. We investigated associations between urinary pesticide metabolites and liver biomarkers among adolescents and adults in an Ecuadorian agricultural area. Methods: We examined participants in 2016 (N = 528, 11–17 years) and 2022 (N = 505, 17–24 years). Plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase, soluble cytokeratin-18, and erythrocytic acetylcholinesterase were measured. Urinary biomarkers included four organophosphates, six neonicotinoids, three pyrethroids, two herbicides, and two fungicides. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models examined associations and introduced sex and age interaction terms and quadratic terms. Quantile g-computation evaluated the effects of pesticide mixtures. Results: No significant associations were observed between pesticide biomarkers and liver biomarkers in longitudinal or cross-sectional analyses. A curvilinear association was found between 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA; pyrethroid) and ALT (βquadratic = −0.35, 95% CI: [−0.67, −0.04]) in 2016, but not in 2022. Sex modified the associations of 3-PBA with AST, ALT, and CK18-M65 in adolescents (2016), with non-significant positive associations observed in males and non-significant negative associations observed in females. No pesticide mixture effects were observed. Conclusions: Urinary biomarkers of various insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and their mixtures were not associated with liver biomarkers among adolescents and young adults in agricultural settings. These largely null findings, consistent across time points, suggest background-level exposures in these settings possibly do not harm liver health in this population, though effects at higher exposures cannot be ruled out. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment of Priority Substances)
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13 pages, 529 KB  
Article
Emerging Pollutants in Chinstrap Penguins and Krill from Deception Island (South Shetland Islands, Antarctica)
by Miguel Motas, Silvia Jerez-Rodríguez, José Manuel Veiga-del-Baño, Juan José Ramos, José Oliva, Miguel Ángel Cámara, Pedro Andreo-Martínez and Simonetta Corsolini
Toxics 2025, 13(7), 549; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13070549 - 29 Jun 2025
Viewed by 500
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the presence of emerging pollutants [perfluorinated compounds, phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA)] in chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarctica) and krill (Euphausia superba) from Deception Island (South Shetland Islands, Antarctica) to provide data on the occurrence [...] Read more.
This study aimed to evaluate the presence of emerging pollutants [perfluorinated compounds, phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA)] in chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarctica) and krill (Euphausia superba) from Deception Island (South Shetland Islands, Antarctica) to provide data on the occurrence of emerging pollutants in Antarctica. For this purpose, thirty-four samples were studied, including four samples of adult tissue and six samples of chick tissue, as well as krill samples from the area. The selected samples were subjected to extraction processes and subsequent analytical determination of perfluorooctane sulfonate, perfluorooctanoic acid, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and BPA using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Our results highlight that the analyzed organic pollutants, except for BPA, are clearly present in Pygoscelis antarctica and Euphausia superba from Deception Island. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment of Priority Substances)
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27 pages, 7465 KB  
Article
The Effects of Construction and Demolition Waste (C&DW) Fine Residues on Landfill Environments: A Column Leaching Experiment
by Adane S. Molla, Waiching Tang, Willy Sher, Md Mezbaul Bahar and Dawit Nega Bekele
Toxics 2025, 13(5), 370; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13050370 - 2 May 2025
Viewed by 1323
Abstract
The rapid increase in construction and demolition waste (C&DW) has emerged as a significant environmental challenge, particularly due to the hazardous substances embodied within the fine residues destined into landfills. The disposal of C&DW in landfills has been widely recognized as a source [...] Read more.
The rapid increase in construction and demolition waste (C&DW) has emerged as a significant environmental challenge, particularly due to the hazardous substances embodied within the fine residues destined into landfills. The disposal of C&DW in landfills has been widely recognized as a source of leachate, containing toxic contaminants, which pose significant environmental risks. A controlled column leaching experiment was conducted using samples with varying proportions of C&DW, gypsum, and organic content to assess their impact on leachate chemistry. The results indicate that higher C&DW content leads to increased concentrations of heavy metals, such as Pb, Hg, As, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Co, as well as other metals like Al and Fe, with peak contamination occurring within the first 13–15 weeks. Gypsum presence exacerbates heavy metal solubility by reducing pH, increasing sulfate levels, and promoting metal-sulfate complex formation. Despite remaining within regulatory thresholds, the cumulative concentration of toxic metals over time highlights potential environmental risks, particularly in landfill settings. This study underscores the need for improved C&DW management practices, enhanced waste segregation, and sustainable alternatives to gypsum to mitigate long-term ecological impacts. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of C&DW leachate dynamics and inform policy recommendations for sustainable waste management in the construction sector. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment of Priority Substances)
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17 pages, 15745 KB  
Article
Overall Evaluation of Antibiotics Occurrence from Large-Scale Livestock Farms in Sichuan Basin, China: Spatial Distribution, Source Apportionment, and Risk Assessment
by Changmiao Lai, Zhikai Wang, Teng Gu, Lei Jian, Xiaoxia Meng, Qingjie Meng and Dongdong Gao
Toxics 2025, 13(3), 154; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13030154 - 23 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 801
Abstract
The widespread application of antibiotics in intensive livestock production is increasingly contributing to antibiotic contamination, and their potential ecological risk to environmental media by resourceful utilization of livestock manure as fertilizers in China has been recognized. This study conducted a comprehensive investigation on [...] Read more.
The widespread application of antibiotics in intensive livestock production is increasingly contributing to antibiotic contamination, and their potential ecological risk to environmental media by resourceful utilization of livestock manure as fertilizers in China has been recognized. This study conducted a comprehensive investigation on 79 large-scale livestock farms and collected 86 livestock excrements and 20 soil and 20 surface water samples distributed in Sichuan Basin, where no similar studies were carried out before. In total, four tetracyclines (TCs), eight sulfonamides (SAs), and eight fluoroquinolones (QNs) were monitored by liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. The findings revealed that antibiotics occurrence varied remarkably in excrement (feces or manure) among different livestock farms and different livestock species, following the descending order as QNs > TCs > SAs of detection rates and as TCs > QNs > SAs of detected concentrations, respectively. By source apportionment, livestock manure was demonstrated as a possible source for TCs and QNs detected in soil, while the detection of antibiotics in surface water was probably related to other sources. The central, south, and southwest of Sichuan Basin displayed a higher contamination of antibiotics from livestock manure. The ecological risk of antibiotics was obtained from a medium to heavy level, particularly TCs from swine farms to green algae, water flea, and inflated duckweed in aquatic water and QNs from all livestock farms to sensitive organisms in soil. Overall, the prioritized resource utilization of livestock manure would probably increase the contamination level and ecological risk to environment; hence, rational and effective measurement was highly recommended for antibiotics prevention in some regions of Sichuan Basin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment of Priority Substances)
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Review

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25 pages, 609 KB  
Review
Aquatic Microcosms in Ecotoxicology: The Community-Level Ecological Risk Assessment of Pollutants
by Dongning Yang, Yin Hou, Chao Wei, Jianan Ling and Xin Zheng
Toxics 2025, 13(8), 694; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13080694 - 20 Aug 2025
Viewed by 678
Abstract
Microcosm technology serves as a sophisticated tool for simulating natural ecosystems, facilitating the examination of pollutants’ ecological impacts across population, community, and ecosystem scales. Currently, this technology finds extensive application in ecological toxicology and ecological risk assessment research. This concise review highlights the [...] Read more.
Microcosm technology serves as a sophisticated tool for simulating natural ecosystems, facilitating the examination of pollutants’ ecological impacts across population, community, and ecosystem scales. Currently, this technology finds extensive application in ecological toxicology and ecological risk assessment research. This concise review highlights the utility of microcosm technology in ecotoxicology, detailing the establishment of aquatic microcosms and analyzing key research trends to assess the ecological impacts of pollutants. It emphasizes the evaluation of pesticides, industrial chemicals, and heavy metals, providing a comparative analysis of safety thresholds derived from microcosm studies versus other methods. Finally, the review underscores the four urgent directions for future exploration: (a) track pollutant metabolites in microcosms; (b) develop microcosms with diverse species for natural ecosystem mimicry; (c) use DNA macrobarcoding to assess zooplankton and link it to species abundance; (d) study reasons behind no observed effect concentration (NOEC) vs. the 95% harmless concentration (HC5) values in microcosm studies. The determination of these directions helps to fill the gaps in understanding the fate and effects of pollutants within controlled ecosystem simulations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment of Priority Substances)
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17 pages, 1103 KB  
Review
Health Hazards Associated with Exposure to Endosulfan: A Mini-Review
by Agnieszka Berdowska and Katarzyna Bandurska
Toxics 2025, 13(6), 455; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13060455 - 29 May 2025
Viewed by 1045
Abstract
Endosulfan, a persistent organochlorine pesticide, has raised global concern due to its toxicological effects on human health and the environment. The popularity of endosulfan was driven by its effectiveness and low cost compared to alternative insecticides. The compound’s environmental persistence and bioaccumulative properties [...] Read more.
Endosulfan, a persistent organochlorine pesticide, has raised global concern due to its toxicological effects on human health and the environment. The popularity of endosulfan was driven by its effectiveness and low cost compared to alternative insecticides. The compound’s environmental persistence and bioaccumulative properties also contributed to its sustained use over several decades. Despite regulatory bans in many countries, residues of endosulfan continue to be detected in soil, water, and food sources, posing a threat through chronic exposure. Although endosulfan has been listed in the Stockholm Convention as a persistent organic pollutant targeted for global elimination, it is still used illegally in some countries. This mini-review synthesizes current knowledge on its toxicological profile, including neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity, potential carcinogenicity, and acute poisoning, based on the latest scientific literature. The paper also highlights current regulatory frameworks, historical usage trends, global distribution and alternatives to endosulfan in agriculture. Understanding the scope of its health impacts and ongoing risks is crucial for policymakers, researchers, and public health authorities seeking to protect populations from legacy pollutants. In addition, recognizing the long-term impacts of endosulfan is essential for effective health risk assessment, environmental monitoring, and the promotion of safer alternatives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment of Priority Substances)
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29 pages, 3514 KB  
Review
Mesoplastics: A Review of Contamination Status, Analytical Methods, Pollution Sources, Potential Risks, and Future Perspectives of an Emerging Global Environmental Pollutant
by Dioniela Mae C. Ellos, Mei-Fang Chien, Chihiro Inoue, Haruka Nakano, Atsuhiko Isobe, Deo Florence L. Onda, Kozo Watanabe and Hernando P. Bacosa
Toxics 2025, 13(3), 227; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13030227 - 20 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1873
Abstract
Mesoplastics are emerging environmental pollutants that can pose a threat to the environment. Researching mesoplastics is crucial as they bridge the gap between macroplastics and microplastics by determining their role in plastic fragmentation and pathways, as well as their ecological impact. Investigating mesoplastic [...] Read more.
Mesoplastics are emerging environmental pollutants that can pose a threat to the environment. Researching mesoplastics is crucial as they bridge the gap between macroplastics and microplastics by determining their role in plastic fragmentation and pathways, as well as their ecological impact. Investigating mesoplastic sources will help develop targeted policies and mitigation strategies to address plastic pollution. These pollutants are found across aquatic, terrestrial, and agricultural ecosystems. Unlike microplastics, mesoplastics are reviewed in the scientific literature. This paper focuses on existing published research on mesoplastics, determining the trends and synthesizing key findings related to mesoplastic pollution. Research primarily focused on marine and freshwater ecosystems, with surface water and beach sediments being the most studied compartments. Mesoplastics research often offers baseline data, with increased publications from 2014 to 2024, particularly in East Asia. However, certain ecosystems and regions remain underrepresented. Also, mesoplastics can disrupt ecosystems by degrading biodiversity, contaminating soils and waters, and affecting food chains. Mesoplastics can also become vectors for additives and pathogenic microorganisms, highlighting their environmental risks. Various factors influence mesoplastics’ prevalence, including anthropogenic and non-anthropogenic activities. With this, future research should expand into less-studied ecosystems and regions, explore mesoplastic interactions with pollutants and organisms, and promote public awareness, education, and policy measures to reduce plastic use and mitigate pollution globally. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment of Priority Substances)
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