Comprehensive review of emerging contaminants: Detection technologies, environmental impact, and management strategies

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety Vol. 278; p. 116420
• Main Authors: Li, Xingyu, Shen, Xiaojing, Jiang, Weiwei, Xi, Yongkai, Li, Song
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 15.06.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Detection Methods; Emerging Contaminants; Environmental Impact; Interdisciplinary Research; Policy Development; Public Health; Emerging Contaminants; Environmental Impact; Public Health; Policy Development; Interdisciplinary Research; Detection Methods
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116420

Emerging contaminants (ECs) are a diverse group of unregulated pollutants increasingly present in the environment. These contaminants, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, endocrine disruptors, and industrial chemicals, can enter the environment through various pathways and persist, accumulating in the food chain and posing risks to ecosystems and human health. This comprehensive review examines the chemical characteristics, sources, and varieties of ECs. It critically evaluates the current understanding of their environmental and health impacts, highlighting recent advancements and challenges in detection and analysis. The review also assesses existing regulations and policies, identifying shortcomings and proposing potential enhancements. ECs pose significant risks to wildlife and ecosystems by disrupting animal hormones, causing genetic alterations that diminish diversity and resilience, and altering soil nutrient dynamics and the physical environment. Furthermore, ECs present increasing risks to human health, including hormonal disruptions, antibiotic resistance, endocrine disruption, neurological effects, carcinogenic effects, and other long-term impacts. To address these critical issues, the review offers recommendations for future research, emphasizing areas requiring further investigation to comprehend the full implications of these contaminants. It also suggests increased funding and support for research, development of advanced detection technologies, establishment of standardized methods, adoption of precautionary regulations, enhanced public awareness and education, cross-sectoral collaboration, and integration of scientific research into policy-making. By implementing these solutions, we can improve our ability to detect, monitor, and manage ECs, reducing environmental and public health risks. •Emerging contaminants are harmful pollutants from various sources.•EC study challenges: complex structures, no standard methods, needs tech advances, better models.•Future needs: long-term health impact studies, ecotoxicological assessments, and sustainable solutions for EC impacts.•Global cooperation, precautionary rules, public awareness, interdisciplinary research are vital for managing and reducing ECs.