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Toxics
Special Issues
Identification of Emerging Pollutants and Human Exposure
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Identification of Emerging Pollutants and Human Exposure

A special issue of Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 17046

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Xiaotu Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
Interests: environmental analytical chemistry; human exposure assessment
Dr. Ting Wu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering and Research Centre of Analysis and Test, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
Interests: environmental analytical chemistry; development of mass spectrometry for screening new pollutants; development of clinical mass spectrometry methods; biological drug mass spectrometry; development of mass spectrum data analysis algorithm

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The rapid proliferation of industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, microplastics, and their transformation products has led to growing concerns about emerging pollutants. Their presence in environmental matrices (e.g., air, water, soil, and biota) and the related human exposure raise urgent questions about long-term exposure risks and impacts on human health. This Special Issue invites cutting-edge research on the identification, analysis, exposure assessment, and mitigation of emerging pollutants across environmental and biological matrices. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Novel analytical methods for emerging pollutants, e.g., suspect and non-targeted screening based on mass spectrometric methods.
  • Exposure pathways (dietary, inhalation, dermal) of emerging pollutants.
  • Health risks associated with emerging pollutants
  • Remediation strategies: innovative technologies for removing or degrading emerging pollutants.

We welcome submissions that combine interdisciplinary research in the fields of environmental chemistry, toxicology, public health, and environmental engineering, and hope that this Special Issue will contribute to a deeper understanding of emerging pollutants, their risks, and actionable solutions for mitigating their impacts.

Dr. Xiaotu Liu
Dr. Ting Wu
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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 contaminants
  • remediation strategies
  • non-targeted analysis
  • biomonitoring
  • exposome
  • risk assessment

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 563 KB  
Article
Comprehensive Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances Profiling in Beverages: Simultaneous Quantification of Ultrashort-Chain to Long-Chain Compounds in Ready-to-Drink Teas and Fruit Juices
by Shun-Hsin Liang and Justin A. Steimling
Toxics 2026, 14(5), 422; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14050422 - 12 May 2026
Viewed by 435
Abstract
Ultrashort-chain (USC) per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are highly polar, mobile, and persistent emerging pollutants. While the environmental distribution of USC species is well-documented, their presence in widely consumed beverages remains under-characterized due to the analytical difficulty of capturing such highly polar species. [...] Read more.
Ultrashort-chain (USC) per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are highly polar, mobile, and persistent emerging pollutants. While the environmental distribution of USC species is well-documented, their presence in widely consumed beverages remains under-characterized due to the analytical difficulty of capturing such highly polar species. This study established a robust workflow for the simultaneous determination of C1 to C14 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic and sulfonic acids, alongside other PFAS classes, in diverse beverage matrices including teas and fruit juices. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a mixed-mode inert-coated alkyl-phase LC column to enhance USC retention while maintaining performance for longer-chain analytes. A high-throughput, minimal-handling sample preparation was optimized to mitigate matrix effects and contamination. Method performance was evaluated using fortified beverage samples across 2–500 ng/L, with calibration ranges of 1–2000 ng/L and incorporation of 13 isotopically labeled internal standards. Results demonstrated acceptable accuracy (recoveries within 30% of nominal values) and optimal precision (%RSD < 12%). Application to commercial samples revealed frequent PFAS occurrence, specifically highlighting the prevalence of previously overlooked USC species in the human diet. These results demonstrate that ready-to-drink beverages are a significant pathway for human exposure, necessitating the inclusion of USC compounds in future food safety monitoring and risk assessments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Identification of Emerging Pollutants and Human Exposure)
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17 pages, 3186 KB  
Article
Decoding the Liver–Blood Partitioning of Neonicotinoid Insecticides: Evidence from Paired Human Liver and Blood Biomonitoring
by Jiaqi Shao, Tingna Chen, Yihan Li, Wenfei Yu, Hangbiao Jin, Qinghua Zhou and Yuanchen Chen
Toxics 2026, 14(3), 237; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14030237 - 10 Mar 2026
Viewed by 822
Abstract
Neonicotinoids (NEOs) are among the most widely used insecticides worldwide, and their increasing detection in environmental and human matrices has raised concerns about chronic exposure and potential health risks. However, human data on target-organ burdens and liver–blood partitioning of NEOs remain unclear. Here, [...] Read more.
Neonicotinoids (NEOs) are among the most widely used insecticides worldwide, and their increasing detection in environmental and human matrices has raised concerns about chronic exposure and potential health risks. However, human data on target-organ burdens and liver–blood partitioning of NEOs remain unclear. Here, we quantified nine NEOs in paired liver tissue and whole-blood samples from 234 individuals to characterize internal distribution patterns and liver–blood partitioning of NEOs in humans. Samples included both liver cancer patients and non-liver cancer individuals, enabling exploratory evaluation of disease-related differences. At least one NEO was detected in 84.6% of blood samples and 87.2% of liver samples, with median concentrations ranging from 0.15–3.52 ng/mL in blood and 0.39–10.99 ng/g in liver, respectively. Dinotefuran was the most abundant compound in both matrices, accounting for 43.9% of total NEOs in blood and 25.8% in liver, indicating substantial matrix-specific compositional differences. Blood-to-liver partition ratios (R_B/L) varied substantially among compounds and showed a significant inverse association with logKow (p = 0.026), suggesting physicochemical property-dependent partitioning. R_B/L values were generally lower in liver cancer patients, indicating a relative shift toward hepatic accumulation. In exploratory logistic regression analyses, hepatic concentrations of acetamiprid, dinotefuran, imidaclothiz, and thiamethoxam remained statistically associated with liver cancer status after adjustment for covariates. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of tissue-specific biomonitoring and internal partitioning for interpreting human exposure to NEOs and for reducing exposure misclassification when evaluating liver-related health outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Identification of Emerging Pollutants and Human Exposure)
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13 pages, 606 KB  
Article
Associations of Fecal Microplastics with Oxidative Damage and Cardiopulmonary Function: Evidence from a Pilot Study
by Lili Xiao, Wenfeng Lu, Lan Qiu, Shuguang Wang, Jiayi Li, Jiayi Lai, Zhixuan Ji, Xiaoliang Li and Yun Zhou
Toxics 2026, 14(1), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14010075 - 14 Jan 2026
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 654
Abstract
The ubiquity of microplastics (MPs) in the environment has raised significant concerns, yet their potential impacts on human health are not fully elucidated. This study aimed to quantify human exposure to MPs in feces and evaluate their associations with oxidative stress and cardiopulmonary [...] Read more.
The ubiquity of microplastics (MPs) in the environment has raised significant concerns, yet their potential impacts on human health are not fully elucidated. This study aimed to quantify human exposure to MPs in feces and evaluate their associations with oxidative stress and cardiopulmonary function. A panel study was conducted in 16 male college students with three-round visits. Fecal MPs were quantified using infrared micro-spectroscopy, and health effects were assessed through urinary biomarkers of oxidative damage (MDA and 8-OHdG) and cardiopulmonary function tests. Associations between MP exposure and health outcomes were analyzed using linear mixed-effect models. We found that fecal MP amount across 48 samples from 16 participants showed high intra-individual variation and poor reproducibility (ICCs < 0.4). MPs in feces were predominantly identified as sheets and fragments in the 100–200 μm size range, with polyamide (PA), polyester, polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene as the primary polymer types. Significant relationships were observed between fecal MP amount and oxidative damage biomarkers. Each one-unit increase in MPs corresponded to a 0.827 increase in MDA (95% CI: 0.116, 1.54) and a 1.11 increase in 8-OHdG (95% CI: 0.235, 1.98), with fibrous shapes and specific polymers (PE and PA) being the primary drivers. No significant associations were found between MP exposure and lung function or blood pressure. These findings indicated that MP exposure was significantly linked to increased oxidative damage, highlighting a pressing public health concern regarding their subclinical biological effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Identification of Emerging Pollutants and Human Exposure)
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12 pages, 418 KB  
Article
Short-, Medium-, and Long-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins in Indoor Dust from South China and the Midwestern United States
by Shuyue Wang, Qiuyan Ke, Wenwen Sun, Yukun Chen, Mehvish Mumtaz, Yumeng Shi and Xiaotu Liu
Toxics 2025, 13(6), 428; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13060428 - 23 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1531
Abstract
In the present study, liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) was employed to analyze chlorinated paraffin (CP) homolog distributions and concentrations in household dust from South China and the Midwestern United States. The median levels of short-, medium-, and long-chain CPs (∑SCCPs, ∑MCCPs, [...] Read more.
In the present study, liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) was employed to analyze chlorinated paraffin (CP) homolog distributions and concentrations in household dust from South China and the Midwestern United States. The median levels of short-, medium-, and long-chain CPs (∑SCCPs, ∑MCCPs, ∑LCCPs) in South China were quantified as 23.1, 36.2, and 32.8 μg/g, respectively. Comparatively, the corresponding values in the Midwestern U.S. samples were 9.4, 39.5, and 15.4 μg/g, respectively. Notably, ∑LCCP concentrations in South China significantly exceeded those in the U.S. (p < 0.05), while no difference was found for ∑SCCPs and ∑MCCPs. Additionally, very short-chain CPs (C≤9) were detected in 13% of samples across both regions. The distribution of CP homologues in the dust samples from the two regions was similar, with C13, C14, and C18 groups as the predominant carbon homologue and Cl7-8, Cl7-9, and Cl9-10 as the predominant chlorine homologue of SCCPs, MCCPs, and LCCPs, respectively. Risk assessment indicated dust ingestion-derived CP intakes for adults and toddlers were 2–5 orders of magnitude below reference doses. However, given other exposure pathways and the combined effects of CP monomers, the potential health risks from exposure via dust should not be underestimated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Identification of Emerging Pollutants and Human Exposure)
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Review

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23 pages, 885 KB  
Review
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)-Specific Risk Appraisal of the Sunscreen Ultraviolet (UV) Filters (Oxybenzone/Octinoxate)
by Sulagna Dutta, Pallav Sengupta, Bhupender S. Chhikara, Grzegorz Formicki, Israel Maldonado Rosas and Shubhadeep Roychoudhury
Toxics 2025, 13(11), 927; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13110927 - 29 Oct 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2462
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine-metabolic disorder affecting 6–20% of women of reproductive age, manifesting through hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, insulin resistance, and diverse metabolic derangements. Increasing evidence highlights the contribution of environmental factors, particularly endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), to PCOS susceptibility and [...] Read more.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine-metabolic disorder affecting 6–20% of women of reproductive age, manifesting through hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, insulin resistance, and diverse metabolic derangements. Increasing evidence highlights the contribution of environmental factors, particularly endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), to PCOS susceptibility and severity. Sunscreen ultraviolet (UV) filters such as oxybenzone (benzophenone-3) and octinoxate (ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate) are widely used EDCs with established systemic absorption and biomonitoring evidence in human populations. Their endocrine-disrupting potential encompasses estrogenic and anti-androgenic activity, interference with steroidogenic enzymes, modulation of thyroid hormone, induction of oxidative stress, and epigenetic reprogramming, all of which are mechanistic pathways that overlap with PCOS pathophysiology. This evidence-based study critically appraises the evidence linking oxybenzone and octinoxate exposures to ovarian endocrinology, with a PCOS-specific focus. Human exposure patterns, pharmacokinetics, and regulatory perspectives are summarized alongside preclinical and in vitro data implicating these filters in ovarian dysfunction. Mechanistic intersections with PCOS include hyperandrogenism, disrupted folliculogenesis, oxidative stress-adipokine imbalance, and potential impairment of vitamin D signaling. Although epidemiological studies directly addressing PCOS outcomes remain sparse, the convergence of toxicological evidence with known endocrine vulnerabilities in PCOS underscores a need for targeted investigation. By mapping exposure pathways and mechanistic disruptions, this appraisal emphasizes the translational relevance of UV filter toxicity in the context of PCOS. It advocates for PCOS-specific biomonitoring cohorts, mechanistic studies, and regulatory consideration of reproductive endpoints while balancing the dermatological benefits of photoprotection against reproductive risks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Identification of Emerging Pollutants and Human Exposure)
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19 pages, 1090 KB  
Review
Microplastics in Drinking Water: A Review of Sources, Removal, Detection, Occurrence, and Potential Risks
by Ting Cai, Zhihe Tang, Tao Gu, Kun Tong, Xinwei Wang, Hao Chen, Xingnan Zhou, Zi Long, Chunmei Hao, Chunmao Chen and Rong Zeng
Toxics 2025, 13(9), 782; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13090782 - 15 Sep 2025
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 10408
Abstract
The emergence of microplastics (MPs) in drinking water supply systems has become a significant environmental challenge. Although the potential impacts of MPs in drinking water on human health remain incompletely understood, the ingestion of MPs through drinking water has raised substantial public concern [...] Read more.
The emergence of microplastics (MPs) in drinking water supply systems has become a significant environmental challenge. Although the potential impacts of MPs in drinking water on human health remain incompletely understood, the ingestion of MPs through drinking water has raised substantial public concern regarding health risks. This review synthesizes contemporary scientific advances focusing on the following: I. the sources and fate of MPs in drinking water supply chains; II. comparative assessment of removal at treatment; III. detection techniques based on microscopy, spectroscopic, and thermal methods; and IV. the potential hazards of MPs to human health. This study aims to provide novel insights into understanding the threats posed by MPs in drinking water and to facilitate the development of effective monitoring strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Identification of Emerging Pollutants and Human Exposure)
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