About this journal

Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal (HERA) provides a resource for policy-makers and professionals researching and assessing environmental hazards to both humans and ecological systems. The editors expect papers published to be original, novel, of sound science, and purposeful for risk assessment, communication, management, and monitoring. The content of the papers should primarily contribute to the improvement of knowledge and methodology for risk assessment, including the establishment of measures for reducing, mitigating, and(or) preventing health risks in humans and ecosystems. Papers should not be of merely local or regional interest, but should address their implications for discipline-wide and(or) international relevance.


SCOPE AND RESEARCH THEMES

The journal is an international peer-reviewed publication that currently publishes ten issues annually. The journal's scope includes scientific and technical information and critical analysis in the areas of human health risk assessment, ecological risk assessment, and a few cross-cutting issues (e.g., climate change). These tracks are divided into the following research themes. Manuscripts that address any of these themes will be considered.

Human health risk assessment
Manuscripts must address at least one component of the human health risk assessment process, which includes (1) hazard identification, (2) dose-response assessment, (3) exposure assessment, and (4) risk characterization. The findings must contribute to the improved knowledge of human health risk assessment. While HERA focuses primarily on risk assessment of chemical stressors (i.e., exogenous and endogenous hazardous substances/agents), we also consider manuscripts that address health risks induced by non-chemical stressors such as climate change, selected physical and biological agents (such as radiation, microplastics, particulate matter, microorganisms, etc.). Manuscripts addressing aggregate and cumulative risks among susceptible or underserved populations are welcome.

Ecological risk assessment
Manuscripts must address or provide information that contributes to the improved knowledge of at least one component of ecological risk assessment of chemical and(or) non-chemical stressors in the environment. The ecological risk assessment process includes (1) identification of stressors and their characteristics, including the ecological system at risk; (2) characterization of exposure; (3) characterization of ecological effects, and (4) risk characterization. Manuscripts will not be considered if they are primarily data reports (i.e., describe chemical monitoring of common contaminants without risk assessment or hypotheses).

Methods in risk assessment
HERA also considers manuscripts that contribute to the improvement of methodologies for use in human and ecological risk assessments. This includes manuscripts that present or discuss analytical (quantitative) methodology, new approach methodologies (NAMs), model development, advanced computational methods for risk estimation, statistical models, and methods for quantitative and comparative risk assessment, etc. Models should include calibration and data validation.

Risk communication, management, and monitoring
Risk assessment usually does not end at risk characterization, but the process continues to include risk communication, management, and monitoring. HERA will consider manuscripts describing and/or analyzing these components in a particular case study or scenario. In addition, HERA also considers any manuscripts that describe alternative approaches to improving the outcomes of these processes.

Policy and regulatory issues related to human health and environmental risks
HERA considers manuscripts that present the design of environmental and public health policy measures to avoid or minimize risks associated with chemical and(or) non-chemical stressors in humans and ecosystems. In addition, manuscripts that present the analysis results of specific risk policies or policy considerations (e.g., accountability studies) are also welcome. HERA also aims to publish manuscripts that seek to improve the regulation of hazardous materials in the environment. In addition, HERA will consider manuscripts that address and characterize regulatory issues and/or mitigate current regulatory impacts relating to chemical and(or) non-chemical stressors that pose a risk to the health of humans and the ecosystem.

Human and ecological risks related to climate change
Climate change presents challenging risks to the health of humans and ecosystems across the globe. HERA seeks to publish manuscripts that address or characterize human and ecological risks associated with climate change in different regions of the world. HERA also focuses on publishing manuscripts that present or discuss novel approaches to risk-based adaptation and risk mitigation associated with climate change.

HERA will not consider any manuscripts in the following areas: infectious disease (unless it involves chemical stressors), economic risk, business and marketing risk, information technology, cybersecurity, transportation, human trafficking, social conflicts, poverty, and risks associated with outdoor or recreational activities.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

DEPUTY EDITORS

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

Desheng Wu, PhD
University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
CHINA

Sudesh Yadav, PhD
Jawaharlal Nehru University
INDIA

EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS (2023–2026)

Elizabeth L. Anderson, PhD, ATS – Exponent, USA
Jo Cavanagh, PhD – Landcare Research, New Zealand
George Daston, PhD – Procter & Gamble, USA
Carolina Di Paolo, PhD – Dow Chemical Company, The Netherlands
Mohamed I Elsaid, PhD, MPH – The Ohio State University College of Medicine, USA
Alma Feldpausch, MS, DABT – Ramboll, USA
Valery Forbes, PhD – Florida Atlantic University, USA
Arup Giri, PhD – Baba Mastnath University, India
Laura C. Green, PhD, DABT – Green Toxicology LLC, USA
A. Wallace Hayes, PhD – University of South Florida College of Public Health, USA
Janefrances Ngozi Ihedioha, PhD – University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
Donghai Liang, PhD, MPH – Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, USA
Graham Merrington, PhD – wca environmental Ltd, UK
Warangkana Naksen, PhD – Faculty of Public Health, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
Chrysoula Ntislidou, PhD – School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Richard Saicher Abendan, PhD – RTI International, USA
Rosalind Schoof, PhD – Ramboll US Consulting, USA
Mukesh Sharma, PhD – Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, India
Wattasit Siriwong, PhD – College of Public Health Science, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
Katherine von Stackelberg, ScD – NEK Associates LTD, USA
Christopher M. Teaf, PhD – Florida State University, USA
Pamela Williams, MS, ScD, CIH – E Risk Sciences, LLP, USA
Ross Wilson, MSc, DABT – Wilson Scientific, Canada

PAST EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
Mark Gregory Robson, PhD, MPH, DrPH
Edward Calabrese, PhD, ATS
Barry Johnson, PhD

The Assocation for Environmental Health and Sciences Foundation (AEHS Foundation) facilitates communication and cooperation between those concerned with the assessment, clean up and protection of soil, sediment and water. AEHS Foundation provides a forum for members, industry experts, researchers and government to discuss environmental issues through conferences, seminars, publications and partnerships.

AEHS Foundation members are entitled to a choice of one of the three AEHS journals in both print and online formats. Online access will give users the current issue as well as back dated issues of the selected journal. Members are also entitled to discounted rates on the other two journals. Membership can be purchased on the AEHS Foundation website.

AEHS Foundation publishes three journals:

Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal

International Journal of Phytoremediation

Soil and Sediment Contamination: An International Journal

For submissions information, read the Instructions for Authors.

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