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— CH. 1 · JOURNAL ESTABLISHMENT AND SCOPE —

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

~2 min read · Ch. 1 of 5
5 sections
  • The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health opened its doors in 2004 under the publishing house MDPI. Paul B. Tchounwou took the role of editor-in-chief to guide the publication's early direction. The journal set out to cover every aspect of environmental health sciences alongside public health topics. This broad mandate allowed for a wide variety of submissions from researchers around the globe. The open access model meant that anyone could read the articles without paying subscription fees.

  • Major databases began abstracting and indexing the journal shortly after its founding. By 2021, the Journal Citation Reports listed an impact factor of 4.614 for the publication. This number indicated how often the average article was cited during that specific year. Researchers often looked at this metric when deciding where to submit their work. High visibility in these indexes helped attract more submissions from academic institutions worldwide.

  • Clarivate removed the journal from the Science Citation Index Expanded in February 2023. The same month saw the removal from the Social Sciences Citation Index as well. Officials stated that some publications were deemed outside the scope of the journal. A delisted journal no longer receives rank metrics such as a Clarivate journal impact factor. This decision effectively erased the journal from major citation tracking systems used by universities.

  • An April 2023 paper challenged guidelines set by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The authors claimed radiation from cell phones presents a health threat documented at many levels. They argued there are no adequate health effects studies on the projected evolution of wireless systems like 5G. Critics noted the text questioned whether health guidelines from the World Health Organization remained independent of the telecommunications industry. This specific argument sparked significant criticism regarding scientific validity within the broader community.

  • The long-term consequences of the delisting affected the journal's reputation among peers. Future operations now face challenges without the backing of major citation indexes. Researchers may hesitate to submit work to a publication with this recent history. The loss of an impact factor changes how the journal is evaluated by funding bodies. Questions remain about whether the publication can regain its former standing in the academic world.

Common questions

When did the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health open its doors?

The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health opened its doors in 2004 under the publishing house MDPI. Paul B. Tchounwou took the role of editor-in-chief to guide the publication's early direction.

What was the impact factor of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in 2021?

By 2021, the Journal Citation Reports listed an impact factor of 4.614 for the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. This number indicated how often the average article was cited during that specific year.

Why was the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health removed from major citation indexes?

Clarivate removed the journal from the Science Citation Index Expanded in February 2023 because some publications were deemed outside the scope of the journal. The same month saw the removal from the Social Sciences Citation Index as well.

Who challenged guidelines set by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers regarding cell phone radiation in April 2023?

An April 2023 paper challenged guidelines set by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers claiming radiation from cell phones presents a health threat documented at many levels. The authors argued there are no adequate health effects studies on the projected evolution of wireless systems like 5G.

How does the delisting of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health affect its future operations?

Future operations now face challenges without the backing of major citation indexes after Clarivate removed the journal from the Science Citation Index Expanded in February 2023. A delisted journal no longer receives rank metrics such as a Clarivate journal impact factor.