The intensification of human activities and the expansion and densification of urban areas cause various damages to the environment, necessitating continuous monitoring to assess the impact and extent of potential risks to both the environment and human health, in order to ensure urban sustainability.

This collection, “Monitoring Environmental Pollution and Impact on Health,” invites contributions that utilize tools related to health impact assessment, human health risk, ecological risk, data modeling, geospatial data, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyze impacts within urban environments. We also encourage the publication of research on the dynamics of pollution and health in rural and peri-urban areas, interdisciplinary studies between environmental sciences and public health, epidemiology, and urban planning for a holistic assessment of the multifaceted impacts of pollution on human well-being. In addition, studies that contribute actionable policy recommendations for local governments, environmental agencies, or public health institutions dealing with urban pollution are welcome. Research (time series or longitudinal studies) that demonstrate public health trends related to chronic exposure to pollutants, aiming for a better understanding of long-term urban sustainability issues, are also encouraged. Studies addressing health risks for vulnerable populations (such as children, the elderly, or low-income communities) exposed to environmental pollution in densely populated areas are of particular interest. We welcome studies on participatory monitoring and the development of citizen science, empowering communities to act in collaboration with local environmental health surveillance managers. Research involving satellite pollution monitoring and remote sensing is also encouraged. Comparative studies on pollution and health across different regions, identifying critical hotspots and globally replicable mitigation strategies, are of interest. We also welcome research that investigates environmental justice and urban socio-demographic inequalities/disparities in health due to environmental pollution. Review studies and meta-analyses exploring trends, methodologies, and gaps in urban environmental health research are also welcome.

Keywords: Health impact assessment, Environmental quality monitoring (air, water, and soil), Pollution sources and emissions, Spatial analysis, Geospatial technology, Climate change, Urban sustainability, Machine learning, Ecological risk assessment, Human health risk assessment

This Collection supports and amplifies research aligned with the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 11.

Pollution is a critical threat to ecosystems, human health, and the planet’s future. From industrial waste in China to microplastics in the Mediterranean and PFAS contamination in the U.S., pollutants spread across air, water, and soil, harming wildlife and communities worldwide. Understanding how these contaminants move, transform, and impact the environment is key to designing effective solutions.

This collection brings together cutting-edge research on pollution sources, environmental behavior, risks, and innovative cleanup strategies—covering everything from heavy metals in mining regions to pharmaceutical waste in urban waterways. We highlight advances in environmental science, green technology, and policy to tackle both long-standing and emerging threats like e-waste and AI-driven monitoring. The topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Pollution Origins: Industrial, agricultural, and urban sources, including legacy and emerging contaminants.

• Environmental Pathways: How pollutants travel through air, water, soil, and food chains.

• Risks and Impacts: Effects on biodiversity and human health, from local hotspots to global crises.

• Cleanup and Prevention: Nature-based solutions (like wetland restoration) and high-tech innovations (such as catalytic oxidation).

• Policy and Tools: Smart regulations, predictive modeling, and new detection methods.

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to: SDG 11

Keywords:PFAS, Heavy metals, Microplastics, Emerging Contaminants, Emission sources, Environmental forensics, Ecological indicators, Pollution sources, Contaminant transport, Ecological risk assessment, Pollutant fate and transformation, Bioaccumulation, Ecological restoration, Remediation technologies, Sustainable pollution management