Exposure Assessment as a Cornerstone of Risk and Health Impact Assessment

Exposure assessment is a core component of environmental and public health sciences, by quantifying or estimating the magnitude, frequency, and duration of human exposure to chemical, biological, or physical agents. In recent years, exposure science has evolved, benefiting from technological developments (e.g., sampling methods, analytical methodologies) that contributed to the development of new methods to complement the traditional ones. In recent years, advances in methods such as human biomonitoring, exposure modelling, and geospatial analysis have significantly enhanced the precision and relevance of exposure assessments, making them more reflective of real-world conditions. Ultimately, integrating robust exposure data into risk assessment and health impact assessment frameworks ensures more accurate, science-based policies and interventions aimed at reducing harmful exposure and improving public health outcomes.

The goal of this Research Topic is to enhance current knowledge about the importance of exposure assessment for a more accurate and effective risk assessment and health impact assessment. We encourage interdisciplinary and innovative approaches to thoroughly understand how different exposure assessment methods impact the outcomes of risk and health impact estimates. This Research Topic seeks contributions that explore these areas to offer empirical evidence that can inform and shape policy at all levels and improve public health interventions. We welcome submissions from risk assessment and health impact assessment, focusing on the importance of exposure assessment methods, to aid researchers in enhancing their environmental health strategies.

Suitable themes for manuscripts include, but are not limited to:
• Exposure assessment;
• Risk assessment;
• Health impact assessment;
• Human biomonitoring;
• Innovative exposure assessment methods.

Submissions should provide detailed, in-depth knowledge about the importance of exposure assessment for risk assessment and health impact assessment, mainly regarding the accuracy of estimates, availability of other supporting data (e.g., health-based guidance values, dose-response curves), the added value of innovative methods, and methodological approaches.

This Research Topic was launched in collaboration with the European Chapter of the International Society of Exposure Science's (ISES Europe) Annual Workshop. The workshop will be held on 20-22 October 2025, in Lisbon, with the theme 'Exposure Science: Tackling Today’s Environmental, Health Challenges and Policy Needs.' We welcome submissions from speakers, attendees and the broader research community.

Article types and fees

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

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• 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
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: exposure assessment, risk and health impact, environmental public health science, exposure science, ISES

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.