Pathology in Ecological Research With Implications for One Health: Session Summary.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Ecotoxicology
• One Health

Background:

• The One Health concept integrates human, animal, and environmental health disciplines.
• Pollutants pose risks across ecosystems, impacting various species and human well-being.
• Understanding pollutant effects is crucial for safeguarding public and animal health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the multifaceted effects of environmental pollutants on ecosystem health.
• To examine the interconnectedness of pollutant impacts on microbes, insects, fish, and humans.
• To highlight the role of One Health in addressing environmental contamination challenges.

Main Methods:

• Review of presentations on pollutant interactions within ecosystems.
• Analysis of case studies involving pesticides, pathogens, and toxins.
• Examination of toxicological studies on specific pollutants like PFAS.

Main Results:

• Pesticides and pathogens contribute to bee colony losses, impacting food security.
• Fish serve as sentinels for human health, revealing pollutant effects through pathology.
• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contaminate water, posing risks to rats.
• Harmful algal blooms cause animal and human diseases.
• Intestinal microbiota process environmental carcinogens.

Conclusions:

• Pollutants disrupt ecosystem balance, with cascading effects on health.
• Integrated One Health approaches are essential for mitigating pollutant risks.
• Further research is needed to understand and manage complex pollutant interactions.