Abstract

Environmental contaminants, including heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), and microplastics, present significant health and ecological risks. These contaminants can interfere with biological systems in various ways, leading to pharmacological effects such as hormonal disruption, neurotoxicity, and immunotoxicity. Toxicologically, they can cause acute and chronic health issues, including cancer and reproductive harm. The mechanisms of toxicity involve oxidative stress, genotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and immune system modulation. Effective risk management requires stringent regulation, ongoing monitoring, public awareness, remediation technologies, and continued research. Understanding the multifaceted impacts of these contaminants is essential for mitigating their adverse effects and protecting both human health and the environment.