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Environmental Toxicology: Modern Approaches for Assessing Ecological and Human Health Risks
Summary
This review paper explains how scientists are updating the tools they use to study pollution's effects on our bodies and the environment—including newer threats like microplastics and hormone-disrupting chemicals that can build up in the food chain and cause issues like cellular stress and hormone imbalances. Instead of relying mainly on animal testing, researchers are now using lab-grown tissue models, AI, and genetic analysis to more quickly and accurately predict which chemicals are risky, helping regulators make faster, evidence-based decisions to protect public health.
ABSTRACT Environmental toxicology has advanced significantly to address the increasing complexity of pollutants that affect both ecosystems and human health. The emerging contaminants such as microplastics and endocrine disrupting chemicals present significant risks due to their potential for bioaccumulation and biomagnification within food chains. These pollutants can induce significant physiological disturbances including oxidative stress, hormonal imbalance and other cellular alterations. Furthermore, climate driven changes such as temperature fluctuations and extreme weather events influence the distribution, persistence and toxicity of environmental contaminants. These factors often interact with biological stressors, intensifying ecological impacts and emphasising the need for adaptive environmental management strategies. Environmental toxicology is witnessing a paradigm shift from conventional animal- based testing to innovative methodological approaches. High - throughput in vitro screening, organ - on - a chip technology that mimic tissue level interactions and computational toxicology are transforming toxicological research. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are increasingly used to predict toxicant fate, identify exposure pathways, and evaluate long - term ecological consequences. These technologies help prioritise chemicals for testing, while reducing research costs, and ethical concerns associated with animal experimentation. Modern risk assessment frameworks now integrate genomics, proteomics and metabolomics with agent- based ecological modelling to enable the identification of system level biological responses, including epigenetic modifications associated with pollution related diseases. Such integrative approaches support evidence-based regulatory decisions, guiding emission control policies and promoting sustainable bioremediation strategies for safeguarding ecosystems and public health. The integration of data-driven technologies, non-animal experimental models, and multi-scale ecological modelling is redefining environmental toxicology. These advances enhance the ability to anticipate and mitigate emerging environmental threats, ultimately contributing to the protection of ecosystem integrity and public health in a rapidly changing global environment.