The course consists of introductory reading material for self study, 9 short interactive online lectures with a duration of 15-30 minutes, during which tasks are presented, and the final task of writing a protocol.

The individual lectures are described below. The tasks within the lectures may consist of questions, literature recommendations or internet research. In the further course of the online lecture, the questions are answered. Therefore, for students to perform the complete coursework, they have to pause at the indicated time and perform the internet research, and study the recommended literature, to provide answers for questions or conduct a discussion.

2. Main pedagogical objective

At the end of the course students should acquire the following knowledge and skills:

General knowledge about priority or emerging pollutants or exposures.
Specific knowledge: information about selected examples for emerging or priority pollutants or exposures.
An understanding of toxicological problems regarding human health and environmental contamination.
An understanding of the role of and consequences for countries of the Global South.
An understanding of concepts like one world health.
Soft skills like literature study, internet research, self organisation, and dealing with scientific and societal questions.

3. Introductory literature

Zhao Y, Ye L, Zhang XX. Emerging Pollutants-Part I: Occurrence, Fate and Transport. Water Environ Res. 2018 Oct 1;90(10):1301-1322. doi: 10.2175/106143018X15289915807236. PMID: 30126484.
McGaha AL. Environment and Health: Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals. FP Essent. 2024 Oct;545:23-30. PMID: 39412506.
https://planbleu.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Pollution-emergentes-EN.pdf, Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Medierranean Sea (last visited 22.11.24).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contaminants_of_emerging_concern#Contaminant_classes, Contaminants of Emerging Concern (last visited 22.11.24).

Preparation using these sources will take about 3.5 hours. It is recommended to take notes for the final task the protocol. Use this part for the introduction.

4. Interactive online lectures

Understanding Emerging Pollutants and Their Health Risks

Chemical pollutants are introduced. Endocrine disruptors (PFAS, dioxins, …), “small particles” (fine dust, nanomaterials, microplastics), pharmaceutical residues in the environment (e.g. diclofenac), and consequences of climate change on exposures (mycotoxins, pesticides,…) are discussed.
Further reading material is suggested.

Duration of video without required study breaks: 25 min.
3 tasks requiring literature studies and internet research are given during the video, which take about 2.5 hours in total to complete.
Further reading material takes 1 hour.

Complete duration of lecture including tasks: 4 hours.

Pharmaceuticals Are Everywhere and You Don’t Even Know It

Due to the widespread use of pharmaceuticals (prescription drugs, over the counter medication, veterinary pharmaceuticals), their presence in the environment has become a significant issue, with potential impacts on ecosystems and human health. Examples are provided and mitigation strategies are discussed.

Duration of video without required study breaks: 12 min.
2 tasks requiring literature studies and internet research are given during the video.
1 hour in total to complete.

Complete duration of lecture including tasks: 1.25 hours.

The Science Behind Microplastics and Health Risks

Sources for microplastic contamination of the environment, and the presence of plastic and microplastic in the ocean are described. Possible health consequences are discussed. Examples for microplastics in water, drinks, and food items are given.

Duration of video without required study breaks: 14 min.
3 tasks requiring literature studies or internet research are given during the video, which take about 1.5 hours in total to complete.
Further reading material is recommended during the video and at least 1 hour may be calculated for that.

Complete duration of lecture including tasks: 2.75 hours.

How Safe Are Natural Plant Products Really?

Natural plant derived preparations (“botanicals”) as well as some herbal spices are heavily advertised as health supportive products without side effects and are used by an increasing number of people in Europe and across the world. However, plant constituents can be mutagenic and carcinogenic. Examples are given and problems in testing botanicals are discussed. Attempts to develop a suitable testing strategy are described.

Duration of video without required study breaks: 13 min.
2 tasks requiring literature studies are given during the video, which take about 2 hours in total to complete.

Complete duration of lecture including tasks: 2.25 hours.

Are Calories an Emerging “Toxic“ Exposure?

Overeating can cause many health problems and diseases and is a risk factor for several types of cancer. The human body is burdened with excess calories and hormones which are connected to metabolism (like insulin). This can be as detrimental as chemical exposures. More than half of the adult population in European countries are overweight or obese. The life style in regions around the world in which people live exceptionally long and healthy lives are discussed with a focus on dietary choices. The planetary health diet is introduced, which aims to promote both human health and environmental sustainability.

Duration of video without required study breaks: 14 min.
2 tasks requiring internet research and studies are given during the video, which take about 1 hours in total to complete.
Further reading material is recommended within the lecture and may take about 0.5 hours.

Complete duration of lecture including tasks: 1.75 hours.

Possible Health Impact of Food Contact Chemicals

Food comes into contact with many materials and articles during production, processing, storage, preparation and serving. In this lecture, the contamination of food due to migration of food contact chemicals is discussed. With an emphasis on the two examples of formaldehyde and melamine the problem is described in detail, covering toxicity, migration capacity (e.g. from bambooware), and food exposure sources.

Duration of video without required study breaks: 23 min.
No specific task is given during this lecture, but studying the recommended literature is estimated to take 1.5 hour.

Complete duration of lecture including tasks: 2 hours.

E-Waste: what is it and why is it a health threat?

Electronic waste, or E-waste, refers to discarded electric or electronic equipment. Hundreds of thousands of tons of E-waste are delivered from industrialized countries to African countries every year. Recycling is often done by unprotected workers, sometimes children. Substances that are released and the health threats for the exposed people and their families are discussed.

Duration of video without required study breaks: 15 min.
2 tasks requiring literature or internet studies are given during the video, which take about 1.5 hours in total to complete.

Complete duration of lecture including tasks: 1.75 hours.

Emerging Pollutants in Kenya: An Example of a Country in the Global South (Part I)

After a brief introduction into the country Kenya, typical emerging pollutants in Kenya are described. Their sources and some striking examples are shown. Kenya’s environmental efforts and policy responses are discussed together with the specific challenges that countries of the Global South are facing. This lecture, Part I, covers the introductory aspects, while Part II focuses on case studies and strategies.

Duration of video without required study breaks: 11 min.
1 task requiring literature studies is given during the video, which takes about 1 hour to complete.

Complete duration of lecture including tasks: 1.25 hours.

Emerging Pollutants in Kenya: An Example of a Country in the Global South (Part II)

After a brief introduction into the country Kenya, typical emerging pollutants in Kenya are described. Their sources and some striking examples are shown. Kenya’s environmental efforts and policy responses are discussed together with the specific challenges that countries of the Global South are facing. This lecture, Part II, focuses on case studies and strategies, while Part I covers the introductory aspects.

Duration of video without required study breaks: 22 min.
2 tasks requiring literature studies and discussion are given during the video, which take about 2 hours in total to complete.
Further reading material takes 0.5 hours.

Complete duration of lecture including tasks: 3 hours.

5. Completing task

Using your own research required in the tasks of the individual lectures, put together your own protocol which contains a general introduction about emerging and priority pollutants (from the self study preparation part) and a collection of important knowledge bits regarding specific examples or cases.

Complete duration 3 hours.