Emerging Contaminants in Children: Exposure, Sources, and Health Effects

In recent years, the presence of emerging contaminants in the environment has become a significant concern for public health, particularly in relation to children's health. Emerging contaminants encompass a broad spectrum of substances, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pesticides, and industrial chemicals, which are not typically monitored by conventional environmental regulations. These substances have been detected in various environmental media such as air, water, soil, and food, raising questions about their potential impact on human health, especially during the critical developmental stages of childhood.

Children are uniquely vulnerable to environmental contaminants due to their rapid growth and development, which can make them more susceptible to the toxic effects of these substances. The exposure pathways are diverse and can include ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact, with the potential for bioaccumulation and long-term health consequences. Moreover, the sources of these contaminants are widespread, ranging from industrial discharges and agricultural practices to everyday household products, presenting a complex challenge for risk assessment and management.

Despite the growing body of research, there remains a gap in our understanding of the specific mechanisms of exposure, the full spectrum of health effects, and the environmental sources contributing to the burden of emerging contaminants. There is an urgent need for a comprehensive examination of these issues to inform policy, guide preventive measures, and protect children's health.

To bridge the current gaps in knowledge regarding the mechanisms of exposure to emerging contaminants, this Research Topic aims to elucidate the specific pathways and sources that contribute to children's vulnerability. By fostering a multidisciplinary approach, we seek to uncover the full spectrum of health effects these contaminants may impose on children's development and propose evidence-based strategies for risk assessment and management. Our ultimate goal is to inform policy, guide preventive interventions, and ensure the safeguarding of children's health in the face of environmental challenges.

In this research topic, we welcome original research, case reports, and reviews targeting emerging contaminants in children that include, but are not limited to the following sub-topics:

Exposure Mechanisms: Investigate the pathways through which children are exposed to emerging contaminants, including ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact.

● Identification and Characterization: Research on the identification and characterization of emerging contaminants, including novel chemicals and pollutants that may affect children's health.

● Health Outcomes: Studies examining the correlation between exposure to emerging contaminants and various health outcomes in children, such as developmental disorders, endocrine disruption, and immune system dysfunction.

● Environmental Sources: Analysis of the environmental sources of emerging contaminants, including industrial emissions, agricultural runoff, and household products.

● Risk Assessment and Management: Submissions that assess the risks associated with emerging contaminants and propose management strategies to mitigate exposure and potential health effects in children.

● Technological Innovations: Exploration of technological innovations and analytical methods for detecting and monitoring emerging contaminants in children's environments.

● Community and Global Perspectives: Contributions that consider the impact of emerging contaminants on children in different communities and the potential for global health effects.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Emerging Contaminants, Exposure, Health Effects, Children

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.