Emerging contaminant control: From science to action

Abstract

Since the concept of emerging contaminants (ECs) was first proposed in 2001, the global scientific research of ECs has developed rapidly. In the past decades, great progress has been achieved in the scientific research of ECs in China, including the establishment of EC analysis method system, the evaluation of the pollution status, pollution characteristics and environmental risk of ECs in typical regions of China, and establishment of EC control technology system. Continuous progress in scientific research of ECs promoted China’s action on EC control. It is planned that the environmental risk of ECs will be generally controlled by 2035 in China. Priority ECs should be screened for environmental management. Although great efforts have been made, the EC control in China still faces tremendous challenges. It is necessary to bridge the gap between scientific research and decision-making management. Based on the science and technology study, various measures such as engineering, policy management and public participation should be combinedly adopted for EC control.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Emerging contaminants / Priority pollutants / PPCPs / POPs / Control policy

References

[1] Ahmed S F, Mofijur M, Nuzhat S, Chowdhury A T, Rafa N, Uddin M A, Inayat A, Mahlia T M I, Ong H C, Chia W Y, Show P L (2021). Recent developments in physical, biological, chemical, and hybrid treatment techniques for removing emerging contaminants from wastewater. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 416: 125912

[2] An W K, Duan L, Zhang Y Z, Wang B, Liu C S, Wang F, Sui Q, Xu D J, Yu G (2021). Occurrence, spatiotemporal distribution, seasonal and annual variation, and source apportionment of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the northwest of‚Tai Lake Basin, China. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 416(15): 125784

[3] An W K, Duan L, Zhang Y Z, Zhou Y T, Wang B, Yu G (2022). Pollution characterization of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) in the northwest of Tai Lake Basin, China: Occurrence, temporal changes, riverine flux and risk assessment. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 422: 126889

[4] Colborn T, vom Saal F S, Soto A M (1993). Developmental effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in wildlife and humans. Environmental Health Perspectives, 101(5): 378–384

[5] Daughton C G, Ternes T A (1999). Pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the environment: Agents of subtle change? Environmental Health Perspectives, 107(Suppl 6): 907–938

[6] Richardson S D (2001). Emerging contaminants: The need for elegant analytical chemistry solutions for the new environmental pollutants of concern. Abstracts of Papers American Chemical Society, 222(1–2): ENVR79

[7] Sui Q, Wang B, Zhao W, Huang J, Yu G, Deng S B, Qiu Z, Lu S G (2012). Identification of priority pharmaceuticals in the water environment of China. Chemosphere, 89(3): 280–286

[8] Wang F, Wang B, Duan L, Zhang Y Z, Zhou Y T, Sui Q, Xu D J, Qu H, Yu G (2020). Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in domestic, industrial, agricultural and aquacultural wastewater sources: A case study in Changzhou, China. Water Research, 182: 115956

[9] Zhong M M, Wang T L, Zhao W X, Huang J, Wang B, Blaney L, Bu Q W, Yu G (2021). Emerging organic contaminants in Chinese surface water: Identification of priority pollutants. Engineering, doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2020.12.023 (in press)

[10] Zhu F, Yao Z J, Ji W L, Liu D Y, Zhang H, Li A M, Huo Z L, Zhou Q (2020). An efficient resin for solid-phase extraction and determination by UPLCMS/MS of 44 pharmaceutical personal care products in environmental waters. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 14(3): 51

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Higher Education Press