Cover story: This graphic illustrates the workflow of applying wastewater-based epidemiology to assess changes in alcohol consumption in a large Japanese population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Influent wastewater samples were collected throughout the lockdown and post-lockdown periods to analyse Ethyl sulfate (EtS), a biomarker of alcohol consumption. Per-capita alcohol consumption was back-calculated from measured EtS concentrations. Decrease in alcohol use in the studied area following the easing of restrictions, reflecting the impact of population mobility and behavioral response during the pandemic. Our findings complemented traditional epidemiological surveys and also highlighted the challenge of monitoring community alcohol use by wastewater analysis.

Ngo, H.K.T.; Do, Q.T.T.; Zheng, Q.; et al. Changes in Alcohol Consumption Behaviour in a Large Population of Japan during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Glob. Environ. Sci. 2025, 1(2), 180–187.

Back cover story: Parental socio-economic stress and psychological stress are significantly associated with the development of childhood eczema. Parental high socioeconomic stress, indicated by lower education or income, increases the effect of indoor allergens (mold/dampness and nonflowering plants) and decoration-related indoor air pollution on childhood eczema. Parental social and psychological stress is related to an increased eczema risk of early life exposure to particulate matter (PM_2.5, PM_2.5-10, PM₁₀) and traffic-related air pollutant NO₂. There is a significant interaction between parental stress and early life exposure to indoor environmental factors and outdoor air pollution on the risk of childhood eczema.

Lu, C.; Chen, Y.; Yun, J.; et al. Interactions of Parents’ Stress and Environmental Factors on Children’s Eczema: Key Roles in Allergens and Air Pollution.  Glob. Environ. Sci.  2025, 1 (2), 93–115.