Environmental Toxicology and Human Health : Current Challenges and Future Perspectives

Equip yourself to navigate environmental health with this essential resource that integrates fundamentals with cutting-edge applications and research to provide a definitive guide on how chronic exposure to modern pollutants shapes human biological outcomes and regulatory policy. Environmental toxicology, as a field, has evolved significantly in response to the increasing awareness of how environmental contaminants affect human health. Historically, the focus was primarily on acute poisoning events and high-level exposures, but contemporary research emphasizes chronic low-level exposures and their subtle, yet significant, health effects. This book is a comprehensive exploration of the intricate relationships between environmental contaminants and their effects on human health. It delves deeply into the various types of pollutants present in our environment and examines how these contaminants interact with biological systems. Through detailed discussions on exposure pathways, toxicokinetics, and the mechanisms by which environmental toxicants exert their effects, the book covers a broad spectrum of toxicants, including heavy metals, pesticides, endocrine disruptors, and emerging contaminants like nanomaterials and microplastics. The book also includes advanced discussions on the latest research methodologies and technologies in toxicology, such as omics technologies, in vitro and in vivo models, and computational toxicology. Additionally, it addresses the regulatory frameworks and policies that govern environmental health standards, offering insights into risk assessment and management practices. By combining comprehensive coverage of fundamental concepts with discussions of cutting-edge research and future directions, this book serves as an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the ongoing and future challenges of environmental toxicology and its implications for human health.