Endocrine Disruption by Emerging Contaminants (ECs): Threats to Aquatic Animals and Human Health

Dear Colleagues,

Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) have become a growing concern in scientific circles due to their increasing presence in the environment and their detrimental effects on both biota and human health. Since most EDCs end up in water, aquatic organisms, such as amphibians and fish, appear to be the vertebrates most affected by their presence. In these organisms, severe physiological changes have been observed, including infertility, metabolic alterations, cancer and even death.

In humans, due to the ability of these EDCs to accumulate along food chains, significant correlations are being found between their presence in water and food and the increasing rates and risks of infertility, early puberty, obesity and other health problems. These observations are raising serious concerns in the medical community about these compounds, as more studies are being published linking EDCs to human health.

The goal of this Special Issue is to provide a timely and interdisciplinary integrated platform for disseminating state-of-the-art research on endocrine disruption caused by emerging contaminants in aquatic organisms and humans. It showcases new data from studies involving aquatic animals and humans, with a particular focus on comparative and cross-species studies. By aligning sensitive aquatic research models with human health data, this issue aims to highlight common pathways of endocrine disruption and promote correlations that can inform both risk assessment and intervention strategies. The One Health concept integrates human well-being, animal welfare and environmental integrity as inseparable components of a unified system. This concept is increasingly recognized as essential for addressing current global health challenges, including aquatic contamination and pollution. Framed within a One Health perspective, this Special Issue emphasizes the interconnectedness of environmental, animal and human health and calls for a comprehensive, global approach to elucidate the impacts and mechanisms of endocrine disruption.

Articles reporting original research, reviews and perspectives on mechanisms of action, biomarkers of exposure and effects, risk assessment and mitigation strategies are especially encouraged, particularly those addressing aquatic contamination, wildlife exposures and related human health effects.

Dr. Maria João Rocha
Dr. Tânia Vieira Madureira
Guest Editors

Dr. Pedro Viana Pinto
Guest Editor Assistant

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• reproductive toxicity
• metabolic disorders
• cross-species comparisons
• risk assessment
• bioaccumulation
• one health