Preface
There has been a growing level of awareness in recent years of the potentially adverse human health effects of environmental and occupational exposure to a wide variety of agents. Several national and international organizations have been conducting extensive evaluations of published data in an effort to refine their estimates of the guideline/threshold exposure levels above which a specific agent represent a clear health hazard, in the advent of the new exposure assessment tools and methodologies, more sophisticated models and a better understanding of disease processes.
This special issue of Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health aims to promote international recognition of the most recent environmental and occupational toxicology, and public health research progress. This volume contains a series of articles that discuss a broad range of contemporary issues including how the body reacts to environmental pollutants and stressors, and cover the many effects of environmental factors highlighting physical, chemical and biological agents. It also address susceptible populations; biomarkers and risk analysis; the scientific basis for policy decision; occupational health and emerging global environmental problems. It should be emphasized that toxic agents addressed in this issue are of concern from both local and international perspectives. For instance, research on PAHs has received sustained worldwide attention.
The original basis for this set of articles was the 3rd International Conference on Occupational & Environmental Toxicology (ICOETox2016) held together with the 3rd Ibero-American Meeting on Toxicology and Environmental Health International (IBAMTOX 2016) on 21-23 June 2016 in Porto, Portugal. The conference brought together over 150 scientists, experts and practitioners from 20 different European countries and both Americas. Following a rigorous peer review process, nineteen articles, submitted by presenting authors, were selected for publication.
A large number of scientists were involved in the presentation of this special issue, both authors and reviewers, and we are grateful to all of them for their contribution. They have our sincere gratitude for the time devoted to these manuscripts that together result in high-quality data to the larger international science community. A heart-felt thanks is also extended to Professor Sam Kacew who encouraged and promoted the publication of this special issue dedicated to research on toxicology and environmental health. We also acknowledge the generous support of the National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Institute of Public Health of University of Porto (ISPUP) and European Societies of Toxicology (EUROTOX) to the conference.
What about the future? As we conduct research to create knowledge, we hope this special issue can provide a window into the concerns and priorities of researchers as well as an insight to future research directions; because as has always been proven “great discoveries are made by small and determined groups of explorers”.