Emerging trends in pollution prevention: Social implications and sustainable solutions

Pollution remains the leading environmental cause of premature death and the problem that affects us the most. This study employed a bibliometric analysis using the Web of Science Core Collection to identify emerging trends in pollution prevention and their social implications. A Boolean query retrieved 23 open access, English-language articles published between 2021 and 2025, which were further analyzed with Vos Viewer through co-authorship, country collaboration, and keyword co-occurrence maps. Results show that England, the USA, and China lead research production, forming strong international networks, while smaller nations such as Estonia and Portugal contribute to the diversity of perspectives. Co-authorship analysis revealed dense interdisciplinary collaboration, while keyword mapping identified four thematic clusters: hazardous material management, digital and AI-driven solutions, sustainability and social responsibility, and traditional environmental issues such as water quality. These findings indicate a growing integration of technological innovation and social justice concerns in pollution prevention research, underscoring the need for equitable, community-driven strategies to address the persistent disproportionate impact of pollution on marginalized groups.