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Environmental Exposures, Disasters, and Population Health: Epidemiology and Evaluation
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College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
Dr. Beibei Wang
School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
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Environmental Exposures, Disasters, and Population Health: Epidemiology and Evaluation

Abstract submission deadline
30 September 2026
Manuscript submission deadline
30 November 2026
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292

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Environmental disasters, such as industrial accidents (e.g., chemical plant explosions and tailings dam failures), major chemical spills, and wildfires, release massive pollutants into the environment, leading to severe and lasting impacts on ecosystem and population health. Beyond these acute events, chronic pollution from ongoing industrial emissions and historical contamination also poses significant long-term health risks. Current research challenges include understanding the environmental behavior and human exposure pathways of contaminants and accurately assessing health risks across different exposure scenarios.

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Topic, which focuses on the intersection of environmental exposures, environmental disasters, and public health. This Topic aims to gather cutting-edge research that employs epidemiological methods and environmental science techniques to assess exposure levels, quantify health risks, and evaluate intervention strategies in the context of both sudden-onset disasters and lingering contamination.

For this Topic, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  1. Health risk assessment of chronic exposure to pollutants.
  2. Localization of exposure parameters.
  3. Climate change and public health.
  4. Environmental disaster-related exposure and health outcomes.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Kai Yang
Dr. Beibei Wang
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • exposure
  • public health
  • disaster health
  • exposure assessment
  • health risk assessment
  • exposure parameters
  • pollutants
  • toxicity
  • environmental epidemiology

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
ijerph 		- 8.5 2004 29.5 Days CHF 2500 Submit
Sustainability
sustainability 		3.3 7.7 2009 17.9 Days CHF 2400 Submit
Atmosphere
atmosphere 		2.3 4.9 2010 19.7 Days CHF 2400 Submit
Environments
environments 		3.7 5.7 2014 19.2 Days CHF 1800 Submit
Toxics
toxics 		4.1 6.4 2013 17.8 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Pollutants
pollutants 		- - 2021 32.8 Days CHF 1200 Submit

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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23 pages, 2767 KB  
Article
The Toxic Effects of Hydrated Cement, Autoclaved Aerated Concrete, and Demolition Dusts on the Respiratory System in Rats
by Murat Kilic, Nurcan Gokturk, Nigar Vardi, Onural Ozhan, Gokce Koca, Mehmet Akif Turkoz, Merve Biyikli, Paki Turgut, Yusuf Turkoz, Hakan Parlakpinar, Eylem Karadag and Cemil Colak
Toxics 2026, 14(3), 218; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14030218 - 3 Mar 2026
Abstract
Background: Following the earthquakes that occurred in Turkey in 2023, the resulting demolition dust (DD) negatively impacted air quality and led to an increase in respiratory diseases. Although the harmful effects of crystalline and amorphous silica are known, the effects of hydrated cement [...] Read more.
Background: Following the earthquakes that occurred in Turkey in 2023, the resulting demolition dust (DD) negatively impacted air quality and led to an increase in respiratory diseases. Although the harmful effects of crystalline and amorphous silica are known, the effects of hydrated cement dust (HCD), autoclaved aerated concrete dust (AACD), and DD on the lungs have not been sufficiently investigated. This rat study presents the first experimental data on the toxicity of these dusts. Methods: In the study, the structural properties of dust particles smaller than 5 µm were characterized using XRD analysis. Subsequently, 48 female rats were divided into four groups: HCD, AACD, DD, and control. The relevant dust suspensions were administered to the experimental groups, and physiological saline was administered to the control group intranasally a total of five times over a 15-day period, once every 3 days. Subsequently, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, blood, and lung tissues were analyzed. Results: An increase in emphysema was observed in all exposure groups, and this increase was significant in the AAC and HC groups. Inflammation and alveolar wall thickness increased in the HC and DD groups. Goblet cell hyperplasia was detected only in the HC group; increases in CD68+ macrophages and TGF-β, as well as elevated hydroxyproline, were detected only in the DD group and supported the fibrotic response (p < 0.05). Neutrophil increase was specific to the AAC group. In all exposure groups, Akt/NF-κB pathway proteins, caspase-9, and MPO levels increased, while Bcl-xl levels decreased (p < 0.05). The findings indicate that the examined dusts trigger inflammation and apoptosis. Conclusion: Exposure to HCD, AACD, and DD causes lung damage by modulating the Akt/NF-κB signaling cascade; it enhances the apoptotic process through Bcl-xl suppression and caspase-9 increase. DD also induces a marked fibrotic response. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Exposures, Disasters, and Population Health: Epidemiology and Evaluation)
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