Histopathological Perspectives on Toxic Environmental Pollutants: Cellular Damage Pathways and Strategic Interventions in Mammalian Systems

Abstract

Environmental toxicants (ETs) are pervasive and often exert synergistic effects that pose significant health risks to mammalian systems. Major pollutants such as airborne particulate matter (PM2.5/PM1.0), heavy metals, and various classes of agricultural pesticides continue to contribute to environmental degradation and disease burden. These toxicants originate from diverse sources, including battery manufacturing, metal plating, phosphate fertilisers, plastic stabilisers, plumbing systems, fossil fuel combustion, and intensive agricultural practices. A systematic evaluation of their public health implications is critical for informing policy and intervention. This chapter explores the mechanisms of toxicity of these environmental pollutants, highlighting their cellular and histopathological effects on mammalian tissues while proposing intervention strategies to safeguard human health and the ecosystem.