Developmental Toxicity Mechanism of Emerging Contaminants (ECs)
A special issue of Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304). This special issue belongs to the section "Emerging Contaminants".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 39
Special Issue Editor
Interests: environmental contaminants; developmental toxicity; hepatotoxicity; neurotoxicity; reproductive toxicity; gut-organ axis; intervention and treatment
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Developmental periods, characterized by rapid cell proliferation, differentiation, and complex organogenesis, are critically sensitive to environmental insults. The fidelity of these processes is easily compromised by exogenous agents, with Emerging Contaminants (ECs) posing a significant and escalating threat to prenatal and postnatal health. Unlike well-studied legacy pollutants, ECs—which include pharmaceuticals, personal care products, microplastics, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and novel industrial compounds—are frequently detected in various environmental matrices, yet their long-term health impacts remain inadequately understood. A primary concern is their ability to act at exceptionally low doses, often through non-traditional toxicity pathways, to disrupt the intricate hormonal, genetic, and epigenetic signaling that governs development. These pollutants can disrupt intricate developmental processes, leading to long-lasting adverse effects that may not manifest until later in life, contributing to the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) paradigm.
By compiling cutting-edge research, this Special Issue aims to significantly advance the field, providing essential insights for improved risk assessment, regulatory decisions, and public health protection against the threats posed by emerging contaminants. We welcome submissions of high-quality original research and comprehensive reviews that probe the toxicological mechanisms of ECs at various biological levels. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following
- Investigating molecular and cellular mechanisms, such as endocrine disruption, epigenetic modifications, oxidative stress, and specific signaling pathway alterations;
- Establishing links between maternal or early-life exposure to ECs and adverse outcomes like congenital diseases, impaired fetal growth, and neurodevelopmental disorders;
- Developing innovative protective, remediation, or intervention strategies to mitigate these toxic effects.
Prof. Dr. Xiaoli Xie
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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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
- developmental toxicity
- emerging contaminants (ECs)
- endocrine disruption
- oxidative stress
- risk assessment
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