The Growing Role of Organic Micropollutants in Air Quality and Public Health

Dear Colleagues,

Persistent organic (micro)pollutants (POPs, persistent organic pollutants) are a heterogeneous group of organic compounds which, due to their chemical–physical characteristics, once released into the environment, appear to persist for a very long time. In particular, by organic micropollutants, we mean highly toxic substances at very small concentrations that can be responsible for pathological processes affecting various organs and systems (skin, immune system, reproductive system, endocrine system, and nervous system) and which include polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) and furans (PCDFs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Most POPs are halogenated compounds characterized by a carbon–chlorine bond in their structure. Thanks to the stability of that bond, POPs have a strong ability to resist biological, chemical, and photolytic degradation. Their semivolatility property makes them subject to long-distance transport mainly by wind and sea waters even in low concentrations, and the result is a widespread distribution of POPs all over the world. POPs are also not very soluble in water and are characterized by a high lipophilicity, thus tending to cross the phospholipid structures of biological membranes and accumulate in living organisms, igniting the growing threat to human health and wildlife since bioaccumulation leads to high concentrations and therefore high exposures in the highest levels of trophic chains obtaining the so-called biomagnification. The relationship between the structure of these compounds and activity is responsible for the mechanisms of action that determine the numerous toxic effects of these organic micropollutants. The origin of these substances is often attributable to human activities (anthropogenic origin) such as motor vehicle traffic, the use of heating systems, and the presence of industrial or artisanal settlements that use various products in the production cycles.

This Special Issue aims to deepen our knowledge of the analytical, chemical–physical, and biological properties of the chemical species present in the atmosphere, in order to evaluate their effective toxicological impact as a function of environmental persistence, and to relate the different artificial and natural emissions. with the effects on ecosystems and human health.

Prof. Dr. Pasquale Avino
Prof. Dr. Ettore Guerriero
Prof. Dr. Matteo Vitali
Guest Editors

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• POPs: dioxins
• furans
• PCBs
• PAHs
• PFAS
• analysis
• behavior
• trend
• air
• emissions
• anthropogenic sources
• public health
• human health
• policy