Editorial Policies
Editorial Independence
Pollution and Diseases is committed to editorial independence. Editorial decisions are made solely on the basis of scholarly merit, relevance to the journal’s scope, and adherence to ethical standards.
The publisher, sponsors, or affiliated institutions do not influence editorial decisions or publication outcomes.
Editorial Decision-Making
All submissions are evaluated by the editorial team based on scientific quality, originality, clarity, and relevance to the journal’s focus and scope.
The Editor-in-Chief has final responsibility for editorial decisions, including acceptance, revision, or rejection of manuscripts.
Peer Review Policy
Pollution and Diseases applies a double-blind peer review process for research articles and review papers.
Each manuscript is reviewed by at least two independent reviewers with appropriate expertise. Editorials and invited contributions may undergo internal editorial review.
Reviewers are selected based on subject expertise, independence, and absence of conflicts of interest.
Conflicts of Interest
Authors, reviewers, and editors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence the research or its interpretation.
When conflicts are identified, appropriate measures are taken to ensure objective and transparent editorial decision-making.
Ethical Oversight
The journal follows the principles and best practices outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
Manuscripts involving human participants, animals, or sensitive data must comply with applicable ethical standards and regulations. Ethical approval and informed consent must be clearly stated where relevant.
Plagiarism and Research Integrity
Submitted manuscripts are expected to be original and not under consideration elsewhere.
The journal employs plagiarism detection tools and editorial checks to identify potential misconduct, including plagiarism, data fabrication, and image manipulation.
Corrections and Retractions
The journal is committed to maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record.
If significant errors or ethical issues are identified after publication, the journal may issue corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions in accordance with COPE guidelines.
Data Transparency
Authors are encouraged to make underlying research data available whenever possible.
A Data Availability Statement is required for all published articles.
Appeals and Complaints
Authors may appeal editorial decisions by submitting a reasoned request to the editorial office.
Complaints related to editorial processes or ethical concerns will be handled transparently and in accordance with COPE recommendations.
Responsibilities of Editors and Reviewers
Editors and reviewers are expected to handle manuscripts confidentially, evaluate submissions objectively, and avoid any conflicts of interest.
Reviewers must provide constructive, unbiased, and timely assessments.
Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) are assigned to articles upon registration with Crossref.