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Emerging Contaminants in a Changing World: Implications for Human Health

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A Special Issue of Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304) belonging to the section "Emerging Contaminants".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 5336

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Editors

Dr. Andrea Moscato

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Guest Editor

Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 87-95123 Catania, Italy
Interests: environmental health; food hygiene; health education; public health; emerging contaminant

Dr. Maria Fiore

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Guest Editor

Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 87-95123 Catania, Italy
Interests: environmental health; food hygiene; health education; public health; emerging contaminant
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, rapid industrial development, technological innovation, climate change, and other global environmental transformations have contributed to the increasing presence of emerging contaminants in ecosystems and human environments. In a changing world, substances such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and other novel chemical compounds are increasingly detected in air, water, soil, food, and biological matrices, raising growing concerns about their potential implications for human health.

Human exposure to these contaminants may occur through multiple pathways, including dietary intake, drinking water consumption, occupational exposure, and environmental contact. Although many emerging contaminants are often present at low concentrations, their persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and possible combined effects highlight the need for further research to better understand their toxicological profiles and long-term health implications.

This Special Issue aims to collect original research articles, reviews, and interdisciplinary studies addressing the occurrence, environmental distribution, human exposure pathways, toxicological mechanisms, and health effects associated with emerging contaminants. By bringing together contributions from environmental science, toxicology, epidemiology, and public health, this Special Issue seeks to improve the understanding of emerging contaminants and support evidence-based strategies for environmental monitoring, risk assessment, and preventive public health policies.

Dr. Andrea Moscato
Dr. Maria Fiore
Guest Editors

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Keywords

emerging contaminants, PFAS, TFA, micro- and nano-plastics
environmental exposure
risk assessment
environmental epidemiology
toxicological effects

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 13593 KB

Open AccessArticle

Morpho-Functional Effects of Nonylphenol–Steroid Hormone Co-Exposure on Human Prostate PNT1A Cells

by Aldo Mileo, Teresa Chianese, Stefania Boccia, Francesca Carrella, Benedetta Sgangarella Valvano, Rosaria Sciarrillo, Luigi Rosati, Lucia Capasso, Antonio De Luca, Anna Capaldo and Maria De Falco

Toxics 2026, 14(9), 755; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14090755 - 26 Aug 2026

Viewed by 686

Abstract

Nonylphenol (NP) is a chemical compound belonging to the class of alkylphenols (APs), known for its widespread environmental distribution and endocrine-disrupting properties. It is commonly used in the production of detergents, pesticides, and plastic materials and, owing to these properties, it can accumulate in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. As a xenoestrogenic compound, NP can bind steroid receptors, including estrogen receptors (ERs), thereby activating ER-dependent pathways. In this work, we investigated the effects of NP alone and in combination with the endogenous hormones 17β-oestradiol (E2) and/or testosterone (T) on a human non-tumoral prostate cell line (PNT1A). Cell viability and migration assays, together with analysis of ER expression and localization, were carried out to assess the xenoestrogenic activity of NP, particularly in the presence of E2 and T. Our results showed that NP retained its endocrine-disrupting features in the mixtures, positively affecting cell viability, except for the NP+E2 mixture, in which cell viability did not significantly differ from control, suggesting an antagonistic interaction between NP and E2. The mixtures also interfered with steroid receptor dynamics, affecting receptor expression and delaying receptor localization and activation kinetics. Moreover, all mixtures negatively affected cell migration compared with treatment with endogenous hormones alone. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that NP retains its xenoestrogenic behavior in mixture, inducing a significant alteration in prostate cell homeostasis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Contaminants in a Changing World: Implications for Human Health)

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20 pages, 1685 KB

Open AccessArticle

Probabilistic Ecological Risk Assessment of Synthetic Musk Compounds in the Han River Estuary: Integrating Multi-Year Monitoring and Explainable Machine Learning

by Jungmin Jo, Na Rae Choi, Eunjin Lee, Jae Won Yoo, Dong Sik Ahn, Ji Yi Lee and Yun Gyong Ahn

Toxics 2026, 14(8), 718; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14080718 - 13 Aug 2026

Viewed by 567

Abstract

Synthetic musk compounds (SMCs) are emerging contaminants frequently detected in aquatic environments due to their widespread use in personal care and household products. This study investigated the occurrence, environmental drivers, and ecological risks of twelve SMCs in the Han River estuary and adjacent coastal waters, Korea, using three years of monitoring data (2020–2022). A total of 222 water samples from 13 monitoring stations were analyzed by GC–MS. 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta-(g)-2-benzopyran (HHCB) was the dominant compound, followed by musk ketone (MK). Total SMC concentrations ranged from non-detectable levels to 157.6 μg/L, with the highest concentrations consistently observed at wastewater treatment facilities. XGBoost-SHAP analysis identified total nitrogen (TN) as the most influential predictor of SMC occurrence. This association reflects the shared wastewater origin of the two rather than any causal link, so that TN serves as an indicator of wastewater influence rather than of SMC concentration itself. Ecological risks were evaluated using Monte Carlo-based probabilistic hazard quotient (HQ) analysis. HHCB and MK exhibited the highest risks, with mean HQ values exceeding 1.0 at wastewater treatment facilities, indicating potential ecological concern. In contrast, most coastal sites showed low risk levels. The observed spatial patterns identified wastewater discharge zones as major hotspots of SMC exposure and ecological risk. These findings highlight the importance of wastewater-derived SMCs as emerging contaminants in estuarine environments and demonstrate the utility of integrating long-term monitoring, explainable machine learning, and probabilistic risk assessment for ecological risk characterization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Contaminants in a Changing World: Implications for Human Health)

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16 pages, 1567 KB

Open AccessArticle

Exposure to Emerging Contaminants Chlorinated Paraffins in PM_2.5 and Sleep Disorders in Youth: Body Weight as a Mediator

by Wan-Ting He, Jing-Wen Huang, Xuan Liu, Muhammad Amjad, Yan-Xu Chen, Kun Zhao, Yun-Ting Zhang, Chu Chu, Yang Zhou, Li-Zi Lin, Wen-Wen Bao, Haseeb Tufail Moryani, Ru-Qing Liu, Xi-Fei Yang, Pei-Pei Wang and Guang-Hui Dong

Toxics 2026, 14(7), 607; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14070607 - 11 Jul 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 750

Abstract

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are emerging contaminants with potential risks to the environment and human health, but their link between fine particulate matter-bound chlorinated paraffins (PM_2.5-bound CPs) and the risk of sleep disorders has not been reported. This large-scale, population-based study included 122,965 valid questionnaires from school-aged children in the Pearl River Delta region of China. Generalized linear mixed models, restricted cubic splines, weighted quantile sum regression and Quantile g-computation models were used to evaluate the individual and combined effects of PM_2.5-bound CPs on sleep disorders. Mediation analysis assessed the potential role of body weight. Our findings showed that an interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM_2.5-bound ∑CPs was linked to a higher risk of sleep disorders, and odds ratio ranging from 1.08 to 3.20. Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) were identified as key contributors of CPs and might interfere with important metabolic pathways. Further analysis indicated that body weight statistically accounted for part of the observed association between exposure to CPs and sleep disorders, with the proportion mediated ranging from 3.40% to 35.67%. Stratified analyses suggested stronger associations among girls and children under 12 years. These findings support prioritizing CPs management strategies to reduce their negative impact among children and adolescents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Contaminants in a Changing World: Implications for Human Health)

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20 pages, 555 KB

Open AccessReview

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Wild Boar (Sus scrofa): A Review of Toxicokinetics, Environmental Biomonitoring, and Human Exposure

by Jelena Kaurinović, Ines Varga, Nina Bilandžić, Bruno Čalopek, Maja Đokić, Ivana Varenina, Božica Solomun Kolanović, Marija Sedak, Ivica Bošković and Elena Fattore

Toxics 2026, 14(10), 867; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14100867 - 29 Sep 2026

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of highly persistent synthetic chemicals widely distributed in the environment and transfer through food webs. Among wildlife species, wild boar (Sus scrofa) has emerged as a particularly relevant terrestrial bioindicator because of its omnivorous feeding ecology, rooting behavior, and continuous exposure to heterogeneous environmental compartments. Available evidence indicates that PFAS distribution in wild boar is strongly influenced by compound-specific physicochemical properties and biological factors. Due to their affinity for proteins, PFAS predominantly accumulate in protein-rich tissues, particularly liver and kidney, while considerably lower concentrations are generally observed in muscle tissue. Long-chain compounds, especially PFOS, are consistently reported as dominant contaminants. PFAS concentrations in wild boar vary substantially according to habitat characteristics. Studies have demonstrated clear associations between contamination levels in wild boar tissues and environmental matrices such as soil, as well as links with land use and industrial activity, supporting the value of wild boar as a sensitive bioindicator of terrestrial PFAS contamination. From a food safety perspective, dietary PFAS exposure varies substantially depending on the tissue consumed and consumption frequency; while occasional consumption of muscle tissue generally contributes minimally to overall dietary intake, high consumption rates—particularly by hunters and their families—or consumption of offal, such as liver, can represent a significant exposure pathway. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Contaminants in a Changing World: Implications for Human Health)

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16 pages, 1120 KB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Occurrence of Trifluoroacetic Acid in Wine and Its Relevance for Dietary Exposure and Human Health: A Narrative Review

by Andrea Moscato, Paola Rapisarda, Margherita Ferrante and Maria Fiore

Toxics 2026, 14(6), 454; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14060454 - 22 May 2026

Viewed by 1243

Abstract

Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) is an ultrashort-chain perfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) characterized by environmental persistence, water solubility, and a growing global presence, resulting primarily from the degradation of fluorinated compounds. Evidence suggests that plant-based foods may represent an underestimated exposure route, with wine emerging as a significant dietary source due to accumulation in soils, irrigation water, and plant uptake. This review provides an updated summary of the evidence on the environmental sources and temporal evolution of TFA in wine, its analytical detection, its contribution to dietary exposure, potential implications for human health, and current regulatory attention. A structured but non-systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed and Scopus, supplemented by European reports and monitoring data, and in accordance with SANRA guidelines. Evidence shows that TFA concentrations in wine derive from widespread environmental sources and have increased over time, from negligible levels before the 1970s to a marked increase in recent decades. Reported concentrations range from tens to several hundred µg/L, despite analytical challenges. Exposure estimates indicate that wine may contribute significantly to total dietary TFA intake in regular consumers. Although toxicological data suggest low acute toxicity, uncertainties remain regarding long-term exposure, and regulatory limits for TFA in foods and beverages are lacking. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Contaminants in a Changing World: Implications for Human Health)

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Other

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46 pages, 2309 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Toxicants Released from Cigarette Butt and Other Tobacco and Nicotine Product Waste and Their Ecotoxicological Impact: A Systematic Review with One Health Perspectives

by Andrea Moscato, Paola Rapisarda, Margherita Ferrante, Eloise Pulvirenti, Eliana Pellegrino, Luca Amato, Marco Palella, Giuseppe La Torre and Maria Fiore

Toxics 2026, 14(10), 846; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14100846 - 23 Sep 2026

Viewed by 53

Abstract

Cigarette butt waste is a widespread form of tobacco-related litter and an increasingly recognized source of environmental contamination. This systematic review synthesized evidence on the environmental impacts of cigarette butts and other tobacco and nicotine product waste, including contaminant release, plastic-derived particle generation, affected environmental matrices, ecotoxicological effects, dose–effect relationships, and ecological and human health risk assessment within a One Health framework. Following PRISMA guidelines and PROSPERO registration, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were systematically searched. Forty-seven studies were included. Cigarette butts and related waste were found to release diverse contaminants, including metals, nicotine, PAHs, VOCs, BTEX, pesticides, phenolic compounds, aromatic amines, and cellulose-acetate-derived micro- and nanoplastics. Nicotine emerged as a prominent contaminant, with rapid release and high modelled ecological risk reported in some studies. Freshwater and marine environments were most frequently investigated, while soils, urban environments, stormwater systems, landfills, and waste-management pathways were also represented. Experimental studies reported mortality, growth inhibition, oxidative stress, reproductive and developmental impairment, genotoxicity, metabolic and behavioral alterations, and community-level effects. Evidence on emerging nicotine product waste remained limited and was constrained by differences in product design, terminology, characterization, and experimental scenarios. Overall, these wastes represent hybrid chemical–particulate environmental stressors, although their substantial heterogeneity limits broader generalization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Contaminants in a Changing World: Implications for Human Health)

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32 pages, 11774 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Environmental Contaminants and Osteoporosis-Related Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

by Francesco Leonforte, Vito Nicosia, Gianluca Testa, Marco Sapienza, Fabrizio Mattu, Alessia Caldaci, Tommaso Filippini, Vito Pavone and Antonio Mistretta

Toxics 2026, 14(9), 790; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14090790 - 7 Sep 2026

Viewed by 302

Abstract

Environmental contaminants (ECs) may impair skeletal health through endocrine disruption, oxidative stress, inflammation, and altered mineral homeostasis. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the associations between EC exposure and osteoporosis-related outcomes in adults. PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched in April 2026 for English-language studies published from 2016 onward. Study selection followed PRISMA guidelines, while methodological quality was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist and Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). Evaluated contaminant classes encompassed ambient air pollution (PM2.5, PM10, PM1, NO₂, NO_x, SO₂, CO, O₃), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), heavy metals and trace elements (e.g., cadmium, lead), pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), persistent organic pollutants (POPs, dioxins, PCBs), brominated flame retardants (BFRs), and water disinfection by-products. Random-effects meta-analyses using restricted maximum likelihood estimation were conducted when at least 3 studies were available. Forty-eight studies involving 4,510,868 participants were included. Air contaminants showed the most consistent associations with reduced bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis, followed by selected PFAS and cadmium exposures. Evidence for pesticides, PAHs, phthalates, volatile organic compounds VOCs, POPs, flame retardants, and water disinfection by-products was less consistent. PM2.5 exposure was associated with increased osteoporosis risk (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.02–1.51), and to a lesser extend also PM10 (OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 0.96–1.42). The analyses showed extreme heterogeneity and sensitivity to influential studies. ECs, particularly fine particulate matter, may contribute to skeletal deterioration, although the findings require cautious interpretation. PROSPERO ID: CRD420261460078. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Contaminants in a Changing World: Implications for Human Health)

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