Emerging environmental contaminants: A global perspective on policies and regulations

Occurrence and risks of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and endocrine-disrupting compounds in Chinese surface waters

The continuous and rapid increase of chemical pollution in surface waters has become a pressing and widely recognized global concern. As emerging contaminants (ECs) in surface waters, pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs), and endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) have attracted considerable attention due to their wide occurrence and potential threat to human health. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the occurrence and risks of ECs in Chinese surface waters is urgently required. This study summarizes and assesses the environmental occurrence concentrations and ecological risks of 42 pharmaceuticals, 15 personal care products (PCPs), and 20 EDCs frequently detected in Chinese surface waters. The ECs were primarily detected in China's densely populated and highly industrialized regions. Most detected PPCPs and EDCs had concentrations between ng/L to µg/L, whereas norfloxacin, caffeine, and erythromycin had relatively high contamination levels, even exceeding 2000 ng/L. Risk evaluation based on the risk quotient method revealed that 34 PPCPs and EDCs in Chinese surface waters did not pose a significant risk, whereas 4-nonylphenol, 4-tert-octylphenol, 17α-ethinyl estradiol, 17β-estradiol, and triclocarban did. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the occurrence and associated hazards of typical PPCPs and EDCs in Chinese surface waters over the past decade, and will aid in the regulation and control of these ECs in Chinese surface waters.

Decrypting the skeletal toxicity of vertebrates caused by environmental pollutants from an evolutionary perspective: From fish to mammals

The rapid development of modern society has led to an increasing severity in the generation of new pollutants and the significant emission of old pollutants, exerting considerable pressure on the ecological environment and posing a serious threat to both biological survival and human health. The skeletal system, as a vital supportive structure and functional unit in organisms, is pivotal in maintaining body shape, safeguarding internal organs, storing minerals, and facilitating blood cell production. Although previous studies have uncovered the toxic effects of pollutants on vertebrate skeletal systems, there is a lack of comprehensive literature reviews in this field. Hence, this paper systematically summarizes the toxic effects and mechanisms of environmental pollutants on the skeletons of vertebrates based on the evolutionary context from fish to mammals. Our findings reveal that current research mainly focuses on fish and mammals, and the identified impact mechanisms mainly involve the regulation of bone signaling pathways, oxidative stress response, endocrine system disorders, and immune system dysfunction. This study aims to provide a comprehensive and systematic understanding of research on skeletal toxicity, while also promoting further research and development in related fields.

Triclosan Dioxygenase: A Novel Two-component Rieske Nonheme Iron Ring-hydroxylating Dioxygenase Initiates Triclosan Degradation

The emerging contaminant triclosan (TCS) is widely distributed both in surface water and in wastewater and poses a threat to aquatic organisms and human health due to its resistance to degradation. The dioxygenase enzyme TcsAB has been speculated to perform the initial degradation of TCS, but its precise catalytic mechanism remains unclear. In this study, the function of TcsAB was elucidated using multiple biochemical and molecular biology methods. Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) heterologously expressing tcsAB from Sphingomonas sp. RD1 converted TCS to 2,4-dichlorophenol. TcsAB belongs to the group IA family of two-component Rieske nonheme iron ring-hydroxylating dioxygenases. The highest amino acid identity of TcsA and the large subunits of other dioxygenases in the same family was only 35.50%, indicating that TcsAB is a novel dioxygenase. Mutagenesis of residues near the substrate binding pocket decreased the TCS-degrading activity and narrowed the substrate spectrum, except for the TcsAF343A mutant. A meta-analysis of 1492 samples from wastewater treatment systems worldwide revealed that tcsA genes are widely distributed. This study is the first to report that the TCS-specific dioxygenase TcsAB is responsible for the initial degradation of TCS. Studying the microbial degradation mechanism of TCS is crucial for removing this pollutant from the environment.

Toxicity of water-soluble polymers polyethylene glycol and polyvinyl alcohol for fish and frog embryos

Personal Care Products (PCPs) have been one of the most studied chemicals in the last twenty years since they were identified as pseudo-persistent pollutants by the European Union in the early 2000s. The accumulation of PCPs in the aquatic environment and their effects on non-target species make it necessary to find new, less harmful, substances. Polyethylene glycol (PEGs) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVAs) are two polymers that have increased their presence in the composition of PCPs in recent years, but little is known about the effect of their accumulation in the environment on non-target species. Through embryotoxicity tests on two common models of aquatic organisms (Danio rerio and Xenopus laevis), this work aims to increase the knowledge of PEGs and PVAs' effects on non-target species. Animals were exposed to the pollutant for 96 h. The main embryotoxicity endpoint (mortality, hatching, malformations, heartbeat rate) was recorded every 24 h. The most significant results were hatching delay in Danio rerio exposed to both chemicals, in malformations (oedema, body malformations, changes in pigmentation and deformations of spine and tail) in D. rerio and X. laevis and significant change in the heartbeat rate (decrease or increase in the rate) in both animals for all chemicals tested.

Azithromycin removal using pine bark, oak ash and mussel shell

Adsorption is considered an interesting option for removing antibiotics from the environment because of its simple design, low cost, and potential efficiency. In this work we evaluated three by-products (pine bark, oak ash, and mussel shell) as bio-adsorbents for the antibiotic azithromycin (AZM). Furthermore, they were added at doses of 48 t ha-1 to four different soils, then comparing AZM removal for soils with and without bio-adsorbents. Batch-type experiments were used, adding AZM concentrations between 2.5 and 600 μmol L-1 to the different bio-adsorbents and soil + bio-adsorbent mixtures. Regarding the bio-adsorbents, oak ash showed the best adsorption scores (9600 μmol kg-1, meaning >80% retention), followed by pine bark (8280 μmol kg-1, 69%) and mussel shell (between 3000 and 6000 μmol kg-1, 25-50% retention). Adsorption data were adjusted to different models (Linear, Freundlich and Langmuir), showing that just mussel shell presented an acceptable fitting to the Freundlich equation, while pine bark and oak ash did not present a good adjustment to any of the three models. Regarding desorption, the values were always below the detection limit, indicating a rather irreversible adsorption of AZM onto these three by-products. Furthermore, the results showed that when the lowest concentrations of AZM were added to the not amended soils they adsorbed 100% of the antibiotic, whereas when the highest concentrations of AZM were spread, the adsorption decreased to 55%. However, when any of the three bio-adsorbents was added to the soils, AZM adsorption reached 100% for all the antibiotic concentrations used. Desorption was null in all cases for both soils with and without bio-adsorbents. These results, corresponding to an investigation carried out for the first time for the antibiotic AZM, can be seen as relevant in the search of low-cost alternative treatments to face environmental pollution caused by this emerging contaminant.

Integrated occurrence of contaminants of emerging concern, including microplastics, in urban and agricultural watersheds in the State of São Paulo, Brazil

Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), including microplastics, have been the focus of many studies due to their environmental impact, affecting biota and human health. The diverse land uses and occupation of watersheds are important parameters driving the occurrence of these contaminants. CECs such as pesticides, drugs, hormones, and industrial-origin substances were analyzed in urban/industrial (Atibaia) and agricultural (Preto/Turvo) watersheds located in São Paulo state, Brazil. A total of 24 CECs were investigated, and, as a result, only 5 (caffeine, carbendazim, atrazine, ametrine and 2-hydroxytrazine) were responsible for 81.73 % of the statistical difference between watersheds contamination profile. The Atibaia watershed presented considerable concentrations of caffeine (ranging from 75 to 2025 ng L-1), while carbendazim (44 to 1144 ng L-1) and atrazine (3 to 266 ng L-1) presented highest levels in Preto/Turvo watershed. In all sampling points, the cumulative potential aquatic life risk assessed by the NORMAN database indicates some level of environmental concern associated to pesticides and caffeine (risk quotient >1). Microplastics had been analyzed in both watersheds, being the white/transparent fragments in size between 100 and 250 μm the most detected in this study. The estimated abundance in the Atibaia watershed ranged from 349 to 2898 items m-3 presenting some influence of pluviosity, while in Rio Preto/Turvo ranged from 169 to 6370 items m-3, being more abundant in the dam area without a clear influence of pluviosity. In both basins, polyethylene and polypropylene were the most detected polymers, probably due to the intense use of single-use plastics in urban areas. Possibly, due to the distinct physic-chemical properties of microplastics and organic CECs, no correlations were observed between their occurrence, which makes us conclude that they have different transport mechanism, behavior, and fate in the environment.

Screening, characterization and optimization of potential dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) degrading fungi

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane is an organo-chlorine insecticide used for malaria and agricultural pest control, but it is the most persistent pollutant, endangering both human and environmental health. The primary aim of the research is to screen, characterize, and assess putative fungi that degrade DDT for mycoremediation. Samples of soil and wastewater were gathered from Addis Ababa, Koka, and Ziway. Fungi were isolated and purified using potato dextrose media. Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption, Ionization, and Flight Duration The technique of mass spectrometry was employed to identify fungi. It was found that the finally selected isolate, AS1, was Aspergillus niger. Based on growth factor optimization at DDT concentrations (0, 3500, and 7000 ppm), temperatures (25, 30, and 35 °C), and pH levels (4, 7, and 10), the potential DDT-tolerant fungal isolates were investigated. A Box-Behnken experimental design was used to analyze and optimize fungal biomass and sporulation. The highest biomass (0.981 ± 0.22 g) and spore count (5.60 ± 0.32 log/mL) of A. niger were found through optimization assessment, and this fungus was chosen as a potential DDT-degrader. For DDT degradation investigations by A. niger in DDT-amended liquid media, gas chromatograph-electron capture detector technology was employed. DDT and its main metabolites, DDE and DDD, were eliminated from both media to the tune of 96-99 % at initial DDT concentrations of 1750, 3500, 5250, and 7000 ppm. In conclusion, it is a promising candidate for detoxifying and/or removing DDT and its breakdown products from contaminated environments.

The boom era of emerging contaminants: A review of remediating agricultural soils by biochar

Emerging contaminants (ECs) are widely sourced persistent pollutants that pose a significant threat to the environment and human health. Their footprint spans global ecosystems, making their remediation highly challenging. In recent years, a significant amount of literature has focused on the use of biochar for remediation of heavy metals and organic pollutants in soil and water environments. However, the use of biochar for the remediation of ECs in agricultural soils has not received as much attention, and as a result, there are limited reviews available on this topic. Thus, this review aims to provide an overview of the primary types, sources, and hazards of ECs in farmland, as well as the structure, functions, and preparation types of biochar. Furthermore, this paper emphasizes the importance and prospects of three remediation strategies for ECs in cropland: (i) employing activated, modified, and composite biochar for remediation, which exhibit superior pollutant removal compared to pure biochar; (ii) exploring the potential synergistic efficiency between biochar and compost, enhancing their effectiveness in soil improvement and pollution remediation; (iii) utilizing biochar as a shelter and nutrient source for microorganisms in biochar-mediated microbial remediation, positively impacting soil properties and microbial community structure. Given the increasing global prevalence of ECs, the remediation strategies provided in this paper aim to serve as a valuable reference for future remediation of ECs-contaminated agricultural lands.

Tricks and tracks of prevalence, occurrences, treatment technologies, and challenges of mixtures of emerging contaminants in the environment: With special emphasis on microplastic

This paper aims to emphasize the occurrence of various emerging contaminant (EC) mixtures in natural ecosystems and highlights the primary concern arising from the unregulated release into soil and water, along with their impacts on human health. Emerging contaminant mixtures, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls, pesticides, antibiotics, biocides, surfactants, phthalates, enteric viruses, and microplastics (MPs), are considered toxic contaminants with grave implications. MPs play a crucial role in transporting pollutants to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems as they interact with the various components of the soil and water environments. This review summarizes that major emerging contaminants (ECs), like trimethoprim, diclofenac, sulfamethoxazole, and 17α-Ethinylestradiol, pose serious threats to public health and contribute to antimicrobial resistance. In addressing human health concerns and remediation techniques, this review critically evaluates conventional methods for removing ECs from complex matrices. The diverse physiochemical properties of surrounding environments facilitate the partitioning of ECs into sediments and other organic phases, resulting in carcinogenic, teratogenic, and estrogenic effects through active catalytic interactions and mechanisms mediated by aryl hydrocarbon receptors. The proactive toxicity of ECs mixture complexation and, in part, the yet-to-be-identified environmental mixtures of ECs represent a blind spot in current literature, necessitating conceptual frameworks for assessing the toxicity and risks with individual components and mixtures. Lastly, this review concludes with an in-depth exploration of future scopes, knowledge gaps, and challenges, emphasizing the need for a concerted effort in managing ECs and other organic pollutants.

Miniaturized liquid chromatography in environmental analysis. A review

The greater and more widespread use of chemicals, either from industry or daily use, is leading to an increase in the discharge of these substances into the environment. Some of these are known to be hazardous to humans and the environment and are regulated, but there is a large and increasing number of substances which pose a potential risk even at low concentration and are not controlled. In this context, new techniques and methodologies are being developed to deal with this concern. Miniaturized liquid chromatography (LC) emerges as a greener and more sensitive alternative to conventional LC. Furthermore, advances in instrument miniaturization have made possible the development of portable LC instrumentation which may become a promising tool for in-situ monitoring. This work reviews the environmental applications of miniaturized LC over the last 15 years and discusses the different instrumentation, including off- and on-line pretreatment techniques, chromatographic conditions, and contributions to the environmental knowledge.

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

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.

Occurrence and sources of hormones in water resources-environmental and health impact

Within recent years, hormones have become emergent contaminants in the water environment. They easily accumulate in living organisms which in effect leads to numerous health problems (endocrine-disrupting mechanism is one of the most known toxic effects). Microbial resistance to antibiotics also became one of the emergent issues related to hormone presence. It was shown that the most common in the environment occur estrogens (E1, E2, E3, and EE2). It has been proven that large amounts of hormones are released from aquaculture as well as from wastewater treatment plants (due to the relatively low separation efficiency of conventional wastewater treatment processes). Within the article's scope, the literature review was performed. The analysis was regarding the characterization of the hormone substances present in the environment, their influence on living organisms and the environment, as well as its potential sources classification.

Detection of 13 emerging soil pollutant compounds using a dual extraction method (QuEChERS and solid phase extraction) and a liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry LC-MS/MS method

Emerging pollutants derived from human and animal sources, are present in soils and pose significant environmental and health impacts, even at low concentrations. Their detection in soil is analytically complex due to soil interference and the rapid degradation of compounds in the matrix. In this study, a protocol was optimized for quantifying hormonal steroids (n = 7), human drugs (n = 3), and antibiotics (n = 3) by a dual-phase extraction using QuEChERS and Solid Phase Extraction (SPE), followed by analysis using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The double extraction phase allows an accurate and effective purification of the target compounds while eliminating the interference in the soil matrix. The method is optimized to detect environmental concentrations of these pollutants, to suit large-scale sampling campaigns and to maintain the efficiency of extraction while reducing analysis time. The limits of detection (LODs) of these compounds ranged between 0.0043 and 0.13 ng/g and recovery rates between 75.9 % and 105.39 %.•Enhanced Analyte Purification: Implements QuEChERS and SPE for robust removal of matrix interferences, optimizing target compound isolation.•Precision at Trace Levels: Secures LODs as minimal as 0.0043 ng/g, enabling accurate detection of low-concentration contaminants.•Adapted for Broad-scale sampling: Modifies extraction and analysis durations to accommodate large-scale environmental assessments.

Landfill leachate a potential challenge towards sustainable environmental management

The increasing amount of waste globally has led to a rise in the use of landfills, causing more pollutants to be released through landfill leachate. This leachate is a harmful mix formed from various types of waste at a specific site, and careful disposal is crucial to prevent harm to the environment. Understanding the physical and chemical properties, age differences, and types of landfills is essential to grasp how landfill leachate behaves in the environment. The use of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in managing leachate is noticeable, as applying these goals directly is crucial in reducing the negative effects of landfill leachate. This detailed review explores the origin of landfill leachate, its characteristics, global classification by age, composition analysis, consequences of mismanagement, and the important role of SDGs in achieving sustainable landfill leachate management. The aim is to provide a perspective on the various aspects of landfill leachate, covering its origin, key features, global distribution, environmental impacts from poor management, and importance of SDGs which can guide for sustainable mitigation within a concise framework.

Preparation of Polyaniline-Modified Cellulose/PDMS Composite Triboelectric Material and Application of Its Pretreatment in MOW Pulp

Self-powered electronic equipment has rapidly developed in the fields of sensing, motion monitoring, and energy collection, posing a greater challenge to triboelectric materials. Triboelectric materials need to enhance their electrical conductivity and mechanical strength to address the increasing demand for stability and to mitigate unpredictable physical damage. In this study, polyaniline-modified cellulose was prepared by means of in situ polymerization and compounded with polydimethylsiloxane, resulting in a triboelectric material with enhanced strength and conductivity. The material was fabricated into a tubular triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) (G-TENG), and an electrocatalytic pretreatment of mixed office waste paper (MOW) pulp was performed using papermaking white water as the flowing liquid to improve the deinking performance. The electrical output performance of G-TENG is highest at a flow rate of 400 mL/min, producing a voltage of 22.76 V and a current of 1.024 μA. Moreover, the deinking effect of MOW was enhanced after the electrical pretreatment. This study explores the potential application of G-TENG as a self-powered sensor power supply and emphasizes its prospect as an energy collection device.

Unearthing Earth's secrets: Exploring the environmental legacy of contaminants in soil, water, and sediments

The Earth's history is documented in human civilizations, soil layers, river movement, and quiet sediments throughout millennia. This investigation explores the significant legacy of environmental toxins in these key planet components. Understanding how ancient activity shaped the terrain is crucial as mankind faces environmental issues. This interdisciplinary study uses environmental science, archaeology, and geology to uncover Earth's mysteries. It illuminates the dynamic processes that have built our globe by studying pollutants and soil, water, and sediments. This research follows human actions, both intentional and unintentional, from ancient civilizations through contemporary industrialization and their far-reaching effects. Environmental destiny examines how contaminants affect ecosystems and human health. This study of past contamination helps solve modern problems including pollution cleanup, sustainable land management, and water conservation. This review studies reminds us that our previous activities still affect the ecosystem in a society facing rapid urbanisation and industrialization. It emphasises the importance of environmental stewardship and provides a framework for making educated choices to reduce toxins in soil, water, and sediments. Discovery of Earth's secrets is not only a historical curiosity; it's a necessary step towards a sustainable and peaceful cohabitation with our home planet.

Estrogenic disruption effects and formation mechanisms of transformation products during photolysis of preservative parabens

The ubiquitous presence of emerging contaminants (ECs) in the environment and their associated adverse effects has raised concerns about their potential risks. The increased toxicity observed during the environmental transformation of ECs is often linked to the formation of their transformation products (TPs). However, comprehension of their formation mechanisms and contribution to the increased toxicity remains an unresolved challenge. To address this gap, by combining quantum chemical and molecular simulations with photochemical experiments in water, this study investigated the formation of TPs and their molecular interactions related to estrogenic effect using the photochemical degradation of benzylparaben (BZP) preservative as a representative example. A non-targeted analysis was carried out and three previously unknown TPs were identified during the transformation of BZP. Noteworthy, two of these novel TPs, namely oligomers BZP-o-phenol and BZP-m-phenol, exhibited higher estrogenic activities compared to the parent BZP. Their IC50 values of 0.26 and 0.50 μM, respectively, were found to be lower than that of the parent BZP (6.42 μM). The binding free energies (ΔGbind) of BZP-o-phenol and BZP-m-phenol (-29.71 to -23.28 kcal·mol-1) were lower than that of the parent BZP (-20.86 kcal·mol-1), confirming their stronger binding affinities toward the estrogen receptor (ER) α-ligand binding domain. Subsequent analysis unveiled that these hydrophobic residues contributed most favorably to ER binding, with van der Waals interactions playing a significant role. In-depth examination of the formation mechanisms indicated that these toxic TPs primarily originated from the successive cleavage of ester bonds (OCH2C6H5 and COO group), followed by their combination with BZP*. This study provides valuable insight into the mechanisms underlying the formation of toxic TPs and their binding interactions causing the endocrine-disrupting effects. It offers a crucial framework for elucidating the toxicological patterns of ECs with similar structures.

Wastewater Treatment: Functional Materials and Advanced Technology

With accelerated advancements in various industries, water pollution has emerged as a significant issue characterized by two features: (1) the rapid increase in population and corresponding demands, leading to a sharp rise in wastewater discharge, and (2) the development of new technologies, contributing to a significant increase in the variety of emerging contaminants, resulting in a more complex wastewater composition [...].

Occurrence, bioaccumulation, fate, and risk assessment of emerging pollutants in aquatic environments: A review

Significant concerns on a global scale have been raised in response to the potential adverse impacts of emerging pollutants (EPs) on aquatic creatures. We have carefully reviewed relevant research over the past 10 years. The study focuses on five typical EPs: pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), drinking water disinfection byproducts (DBPs), brominated flame retardants (BFRs), and microplastics (MPs). The presence of EPs in the global aquatic environment is source-dependent, with wastewater treatment plants being the main source of EPs. Multiple studies have consistently shown that the final destination of most EPs in the water environment is sludge and sediment. Simultaneously, a number of EPs, such as PFASs, MPs, and BFRs, have long-term environmental transport potential. Some EPs exhibit notable tendencies towards bioaccumulation and biomagnification, while others pose challenges in terms of their degradation within both biological and abiotic treatment processes. The results showed that, in most cases, the ecological risk of EPs in aquatic environments was low, possibly due to potential dilution and degradation. Future research topics should include adding EPs detection items for the aquatic environment, combining pollution, and updating prediction models.

Emerging contaminants in water environments: progress, evolution, and prospects

This article employs bibliometric tools like VOSviewer, Bibliometrix, and CiteSpace for a comprehensive visual analysis of 1,612 documents on Emerging Contaminants in Waters from the Web of Science database. The objective is to elucidate the historical development, research hotspots, and trends in international studies of this field, offering valuable insights and guidance for future research directions. The analysis reveals a consistent increase in publications from 2003 to 2023, with the United States, China, and Spain being the most prolific contributors. A detailed examination of keyword co-occurrence and cluster analysis shows a predominant focus on themes such as pollutant detection, risk assessment, and biogeochemical cycling. Furthermore, the study underscores the significance of forming interdisciplinary networks among authors and institutions, highlighting its critical role in enhancing the quality and innovation of scientific research. The findings of this study not only chart the progression and focal points of research in this domain but also underscore the pivotal role of international collaboration, serving as an indispensable reference for shaping future research trajectories and fostering global cooperation.

Emerging Contaminants in the Effluent of Wastewater Should Be Regulated: Which and to What Extent?

Effluent discharged from urban wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is a major source of emerging contaminants (ECs) requiring effective regulation. To this end, we collected discharge datasets of pharmaceuticals (PHACs) and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), representing two primary categories of ECs, from Chinese WWTP effluent from 2012 to 2022 to establish an exposure database. Moreover, high-risk ECs' long-term water quality criteria (LWQC) were derived using the species sensitivity distribution (SSD) method. A total of 140 ECs (124 PHACs and 16 EDCs) were identified, with concentrations ranging from N.D. (not detected) to 706 μg/L. Most data were concentrated in coastal regions and Gansu, with high ecological risk observed in Gansu, Hebei, Shandong, Guangdong, and Hong Kong. Using the assessment factor (AF) method, 18 high-risk ECs requiring regulation were identified. However, only three of them, namely carbamazepine, ibuprofen, and bisphenol-A, met the derivation requirements of the SSD method. The LWQC for these three ECs were determined as 96.4, 1010, and 288 ng/L, respectively. Exposure data for carbamazepine and bisphenol-A surpassed their derived LWQC, indicating a need for heightened attention to these contaminants. This study elucidates the occurrence and risks of ECs in Chinese WWTPs and provides theoretical and data foundations for EC management in urban sewage facilities.

Global insight into the occurrence, treatment technologies and ecological risk of emerging contaminants in sanitary sewers: Effects of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic caused changes in the consumption of prescribed/non-prescribed drugs and the population's habits, influencing the detection and concentration of emerging contaminants (ECs) in sanitary sewage and harming environmental and health risks. Therefore, the present work sought to discuss current literature data on the effects of the "COVID-19 pandemic factor" on the quality of raw sewage produced over a five-year period (2018-2019: pre-pandemic; 2020-2022: during the pandemic) and biological, physical, chemical and hybrid treatment technologies, influencing factors in the removal of ECs and potential ecological risks (RQs). Seven hundred thirty-one publications correlating sewage and COVID-19 were identified: 184 pre-pandemic and 547 during the pandemic. Eight classes and 37 ECs were detected in sewage between 2018 and 2022, with the "COVID-19 pandemic factor" promoting an increase in estrogens (+31,775 %), antibiotics (+19,544 %), antiepileptics and antipsychotics (+722 %), pesticides (+200 %), analgesics, anti-inflammatories and anticoagulants (+173 %), and stimulant medications (+157 %) in sanitary sewage. Among the treatment systems, aerated reactors integrated into biomembranes removed >90 % of cephalexin, clarithromycin, ibuprofen, estrone, and 17β-estradiol. The absorption, adsorption, and biodegradation mechanisms of planted wetland systems contributed to better cost-benefit in reducing the polluting load of sewage ECs in the COVID-19 pandemic, individually or integrated into the WWTP. The COVID-19 pandemic factor increased the potential ecological risks (RQs) for aquatic organisms by 40 %, with emphasis on clarithromycin and sulfamethoxazole, which changed from negligible risk and low risk to (very) high risk and caffeine with RQ > 2500. Therefore, it is possible to suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic intensified physiological, metabolic, and physical changes to different organisms in aquatic biota by ECs during 2020 and 2022.

Chemical contaminants in blood and their implications in chronic diseases

Artificial chemical products are widely used and ubiquitous worldwide and pose a threat to the environment and human health. Accumulating epidemiological and toxicological evidence has elucidated the contributions of environmental chemical contaminants to the incidence and development of chronic diseases that have a negative impact on quality of life or may be life-threatening. However, the pathways of exposure to these chemicals and their involvements in chronic diseases remain unclear. We comprehensively reviewed the research progress on the exposure risks of humans to environmental contaminants, their body burden as indicated by blood monitoring, and the correlation of blood chemical contaminants with chronic diseases. After entering the human body through various routes of exposure, environmental contaminants are transported to target organs through blood circulation. The application of the modern analytical techniques based on human plasma or serum specimens is promising for determining the body burden of environmental contaminants, including legacy persistent organic pollutants, emerging pollutants, and inorganic elements. Furthermore, their body burden, as indicated by blood monitoring correlates with the incidence and development of metabolic syndromes, cancers, chronic nervous system diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and reproductive disorders. On this basis, we highlight the urgent need for further research on environmental pollution causing health problems in humans.

Human health risk assessment associated with the reuse of treated wastewater in arid areas

Qatar produces more than 850,000 m3/day of highly treated wastewater. The present study aims at characterizing the effluents coming out of three central wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) of chemical pollutants including metals, metalloids and antibiotics commonly used in the country. Additionally, the study is assessing human health risks associated with the exposure to the treated wastewater (TWW) via dermal and ingestion routes. Although the origin of domestic wastewater is desalinated water (the only source of fresh water), the results show that the targeted parameters in TWW were within the international standards. Concentrations of Cl, F, Br, NO3, NO2, SO4 and PO4, were 389, <0.1, 1.2, 25, <0.1, 346, and 2.8 mg/L, respectively. On the other hand, among all cations, metals and metalloids, only boron (B) was 2.1 mg/L which is higher than the Qatari guidelines for TWW reuse in irrigation of 1.5 mg/L. Additionally, strontium (Sr) and thallium (Tl) were detected with relatively high concentrations of 30 mg/L and 12.5 μg/L, respectively, due to their natural and anthropogenic sources. The study found that the low concentrations of all tested metals and metalloids do not pose any risk to human health. However, Tl presents exposure levels above the 10 % of oral reference dose (HQ = 0.4) for accidental oral ingestion of TWW. The results for antibiotics show that exposure for adults and children to TWW are far below the admissible daily intakes set using minimum therapeutic dose and considering uncertainty factors. Treated wastewater of Qatar can be used safely for irrigation. However, further investigations are still needed to assess microbiological quality.

Microplastics in oral healthcare products (OHPs) and their environmental health risks and mitigation measures

The environmental input of microplastics from personal care products has received significant attention; however, less focus has been paid to oral healthcare products. The present study assessed the occurrence of microplastics in commercially available oral healthcare products such as toothbrushes, toothpastes, toothpowder, mouthwash, dental floss, and mouth freshener spray that have a pan-India distribution. The extracted microplastics were quantified and characterised using a microscope and ATR-FTIR. All products showed microplastic contamination, where toothbrushes showed the maximum particles (30-120 particles/brush) and mouth freshener sprays (0.2-3.5 particles/ml) had the least abundance. Fragments, fibres, beads, and films were the various shapes of microplastics observed, where fragments (60%) were dominant. Various colours such as pink, green, blue, yellow, black, and colourless were observed, where colourless (40%) particles were dominant. Microplastics were categorized into three sizes: <0.1 mm (63%), 0.1-0.3 mm (35%), and >0.3 mm (2%). Four major types of polymers, such as polyethylene (52%), polyamide (30%), polyethylene terephthalate (15%), and polybutylene terephthalate (3%), were identified. Risk assessment studies such as Daily Microplastics Emission (DME), Annual Microplastics Exposure (AME), and Polymer Hazard Index (PHI) were carried out. The DME projection for India was the highest for mouthwash (74 billion particles/day) and the least for mouth freshener sprays (0.36 billion particles/day). The AME projection for an individual was the highest in toothbrushes (48,910 particles ind.-1 yr.-1) and the least in mouth freshener sprays (111 particles ind.-1 yr.-1). PHI shows that the identified polymers fall under the low-to high-risk categories. This study forecasts the community health risks linked to microplastics in oral healthcare products and suggests mitigation strategies. It has the potential to shape environmental policy development in response.

Deciphering the Role of the Gut Microbiota in Exposure to Emerging Contaminants and Diabetes: A Review

Emerging pollutants, a category of compounds currently not regulated or inadequately regulated by law, have recently become a focal point of research due to their potential toxic effects on human health. The gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in human health; it is particularly susceptible to disruption and alteration upon exposure to a range of toxic environmental chemicals, including emerging contaminants. The disturbance of the gut microbiome caused by environmental pollutants may represent a mechanism through which environmental chemicals exert their toxic effects, a mechanism that is garnering increasing attention. However, the discussion on the toxic link between emerging pollutants and glucose metabolism remains insufficiently explored. This review aims to establish a connection between emerging pollutants and glucose metabolism through the gut microbiota, delving into the toxic impacts of these pollutants on glucose metabolism and the potential role played by the gut microbiota.

Phenolic compounds in water: Review of occurrence, risk, and retention by membrane technology

Phenolic compounds are one of the main contributors to water source contamination worldwide. In this review, the data collected on Elsevier, Scopus, and Pubmed, considering papers published between 2000 and 2023, showed more than 60 different phenols have been identified in water matrix (<0.065-179,000,000 ng L-1). The highest concentration reported was in surface water canals in India. The most recurrent and studied compound was bisphenol A (n = 93) in concentrations ranging from 0.45 to 2,970,000 ng L-1. The solid phase extraction (HBL Oasis cartridge) and methanol as solvent was the method of pre-concentration most used followed by gas chromatography for the determination of phenols in water samples. The importance of drinking water guidelines incorporating more phenolic compounds was emphasized given the variety of these compounds quantified in water matrix. The human health risk assessment (HRA) was performed for the min-max concentrations of the pollutants reported in the literature. High HRA even at the lowest concentrations for 2-nitrophenol, 2,6-dichlorophenol, 3,4,5-trichlorophenol, 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol, and 2,4-dinitrophenol was recognized. The cancer risk estimated was considered possible for 3-methylphenol, 2,4-dimethylphenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, pentachlorophenol, and 2,4-dinitrophenol in the highest concentrations. The in-depth discussion of mechanisms, advantages, challenges, and carbon footprint of membrane technologies in water treatment and phenols retention demonstrated the great potential and trends for the production of safe drinking water, highlighting reverse osmosis, as a mature technology, and membrane distillation, as an emergent technology.

Adsorption on activated carbon combined with ozonation for the removal of contaminants of emerging concern in drinking water

The presence of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) in drinking water is raising concern for potential negative effects on human health. Ozonation and adsorption on activated carbon are the most suitable processes for CECs removal in drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs). This study aims at evaluating the performance of ozonation and adsorption as in-series processes compared to those of the stand-alone processes, focusing on 18 compounds representative of various CECs families. No CECs spike was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of these processes towards CECs at their environmental concentrations. Adsorption isotherms were performed on water samples collected before and after the full-scale ozonation in a DWTP, testing different combinations of ozone and activated carbon doses. Generally, the combination of the two processes was beneficial (83% average removal) compared to adsorption and ozonation alone (71% and 34% average removal respectively). The effect of ozonation on adsorption depends on CECs reactivity with ozone, since ozonation improves the adsorption performance of poorly-oxidizable CECs, but worsens that of well-oxidizable compounds. The removal of organic matter, investigated by absorbance at 254 nm and fluorescence, by ozonation reduces competition for the subsequent CECs removal by adsorption (up to 20% increase of total CECs adsorption). Finally, the removal of both absorbance and fluorescence seems to be a good proxy variables for total CECs adsorption, with different relationships depending on the presence of ozonation. Conversely, it is not effective for ozonation, since the relationship depends on the reactivity of the specific CEC with ozone.

Harm from Residential Indoor Air Contaminants

This study presents a health-centered approach to quantify and compare the chronic harm caused by indoor air contaminants using disability-adjusted life-year (DALY). The aim is to understand the chronic harm caused by airborne contaminants in dwellings and identify the most harmful. Epidemiological and toxicological evidence of population morbidity and mortality is used to determine harm intensities, a metric of chronic harm per unit of contaminant concentration. Uncertainty is evaluated in the concentrations of 45 indoor air contaminants commonly found in dwellings. Chronic harm is estimated from the harm intensities and the concentrations. The most harmful contaminants in dwellings are PM2.5, PM10-2.5, NO2, formaldehyde, radon, and O3, accounting for over 99% of total median harm of 2200 DALYs/105 person/year. The chronic harm caused by all airborne contaminants in dwellings accounts for 7% of the total global burden from all diseases.

Emerging Contaminants: An Emerging Risk Factor for Diabetes Mellitus

Emerging contaminants have been increasingly recognized as critical determinants in global public health outcomes. However, the intricate relationship between these contaminants and glucose metabolism remains to be fully elucidated. The paucity of comprehensive clinical data, coupled with the need for in-depth mechanistic investigations, underscores the urgency to decipher the precise molecular and cellular pathways through which these contaminants potentially mediate the initiation and progression of diabetes mellitus. A profound understanding of the epidemiological impact of these emerging contaminants, as well as the elucidation of the underlying mechanistic pathways, is indispensable for the formulation of evidence-based policy and preventive interventions. This review systematically aggregates contemporary findings from epidemiological investigations and delves into the mechanistic correlates that tether exposure to emerging contaminants, including endocrine disruptors, perfluorinated compounds, microplastics, and antibiotics, to glycemic dysregulation. A nuanced exploration is undertaken focusing on potential dietary sources and the consequential role of the gut microbiome in their toxic effects. This review endeavors to provide a foundational reference for future investigations into the complex interplay between emerging contaminants and diabetes mellitus.

A systematic review on the current situation of emerging pollutants in Mexico: A perspective on policies, regulation, detection, and elimination in water and wastewater

Emerging pollutants (EPs) emerged as a group of new compounds whose presence in the environment has been widely detected in Mexico. In this country, different concentrations of pharmaceutical compounds, pesticides, dyes, and microplastics have been reported, which vary depending on the region and the analyzed matrix (i.e., wastewater, surface water, groundwater). The evidence of the EPs' presence focuses on the detection of them, but there is a gap in information regarding is biomonitoring and their effects in health in Mexico. The presence of these pollutants in the country associated with lack of proper regulations in the discharge and disposal of EPs. Therefore, this review aims to provide a comprehensive view of the current environmental status, policies, and frameworks regarding Mexico's situation. The review also highlights the lack of information about biomonitoring since EPs are present in water even after their treatment, leading to a critical situation, which is high exposure to humans and animals. Although, technologies to efficiently eliminate EPs are available, their application has been reported only at a laboratory scale thus far. Here, an overview of health and environmental impacts and a summary of the research works reported in Mexico from 2014 to 2023 were presented. This review concludes with a concrete point of view and perspective on the status of the EPs' research in Mexico as an alert for government entities about the necessity of measures to control the EPs disposal and treatment.

Source, transport, and toxicity of emerging contaminants in aquatic environments: A review on recent studies

Emerging contaminants (ECs) are gaining global attention owing to their widespread presence and adverse effects on human health. ECs comprise numerous composite types and pose a potential threat to the growth and functional traits of species and ecosystems. Although the occurrence and fate of ECs has been extensively studied, little is known about their long-term biological effects. This review attempts to gain insights into the unhindered connections and overlaps in aquatic ecosystems. Microplastics (MPs), one of the most representative ECs, are carriers of other pollutants because of their strong adsorption capacity. They form a complex of pollutants that can be transmitted to aquatic organisms and humans through the extended food chain, increasing the concentration of pollutants by tens of thousands of times. Adsorption, interaction and transport effects of emerging contaminants in the aquatic environment are also discussed. Furthermore, the current state of knowledge on the ecotoxicity of single- and two-pollutant models is presented. Herein, we discuss how aquatic organisms within complex food networks may be particularly vulnerable to harm from ECs in the presence of perturbations. This review provides an advanced understanding of the interactions and potential toxic effects of ECs on aquatic organisms.

Combining computational tools and experimental studies towards endocrine disruptors mitigation: A review of biocatalytic and adsorptive processes

The endocrine disruptors (EDCs) are an important group of emerging contaminants, and their mitigation has been a huge challenge due to their chemistry complexity and variety of these compounds. The traditional treatments are inefficient to completely remove EDCs, and adsorptive processes are the major alternative investigated on their removal. Also, the use of EDCs degrading enzymes has been encouraged due to ecofriendly approach of biocatalytic processes. This paper highlights the occurrence, classification, and toxicity of EDCs with special focus in the use of enzyme-based and adsorptive technologies in the elimination of EDCs from ambiental matrices. Numerous prior reviews have focused on the discussions toward these technologies. However, the literature lacks theoretical discussions about important aspects of these methods such as the mechanisms of EDCs adsorption on the adsorbent surface or the interactions between degrading enzymes - EDCs. In this sense, theoretical calculations combined to experimental studies may help in the development of more efficient technologies to EDCs mitigation. In this review, we point out how computational tools such as molecular docking and molecular dynamics have to contribute to the design of new adsorbents and efficient catalytic processes towards endocrine disruptors mitigation.

Nanoparticles of the Perovskite-Structure CaTiO3 System: The Synthesis, Characterization, and Evaluation of Its Photocatalytic Capacity to Degrade Emerging Pollutants

In this research work, the photocatalytic capacity shown by the nanoparticles of the CaTiO3 system was evaluated to degrade two pollutants of emerging concern, namely methyl orange (MO)-considered an organic contaminating substance of the textile industry that is non-biodegradable when dissolved in water-and levofloxacin (LVF), an antibiotic widely used in the treatment of infectious diseases that is released mostly to the environment in its original chemical form. The synthesis process used to obtain these powders was the polymeric precursor method (Pechini), at a temperature of 700 °C for 6 h. The characterization of the obtained oxide nanoparticles of interest revealed the presence of a majority perovskite-type phase with an orthorhombic Pbnm structure and a minority rutile-type TiO2 phase, with a P42/mnm structure and a primary particle size <100nm. The adsorption-desorption isotherms of the synthesized solids had H3-type hysteresis loops, characteristic of mesoporous solids, with a BET surface area of 10.01m2/g. The Raman and FTIR spectroscopy results made it possible to identify the characteristic vibrations of the synthesized system and the characteristic deformations of the perovskite structure, reiterating the results obtained from the XRD analysis. Furthermore, a bandgap energy of ~3.4eV and characteristic emissions in the violet (437 nm/2.8 eV) and orange (611 nm/2.03 eV) were determined for excitation lengths of 250 nm and 325 nm, respectively, showing that these systems have a strong emission in the visible light region and allowing their use in photocatalytic activity to be potentialized. The powders obtained were studied for their photocatalytic capacity to degrade methyl orange (MO) and levofloxacin (LVF), dissolved in water. To quantify the coloring concentration, UV-visible spectroscopy was used considering the variation in the intensity of the characteristic of the greatest absorption, which correlated with the change in the concentration of the contaminant in the solution. The results showed that after irradiation with ultraviolet light, the degradation of the contaminants MO and LVF was 79.4% and 98.1% with concentrations of 5 g/L and 10 g/L, respectively.

Microalgal-based bioremediation of emerging contaminants: Mechanisms and challenges

Emerging contaminants (ECs) in different ecosystems have consistently been acknowledged as a global issue due to toxicity, human health implications, and potential role in generating and disseminating antimicrobial resistance. The existing wastewater treatment system is incompetent at eliminating ECs since the effluent water contains significant concentrations of ECs, viz., antibiotics (0.03-13.0 μg L-1), paracetamol (50 μg L-1), and many others in varying concentrations. Microalgae are considered as a prospective and sustainable candidate for mitigating of ECs owing to some peculiar features. In addition, the microalgal-based processes also offer cost and energy-efficient solutions for the bioremediation of ECs than conventional treatment systems. It is pertinent that, microalgal-based processes also provides waste valorization benefits as microalgal biomass obtained after ECs treatment can be potentially applied to generate biofuels. Moreover, microalgae can effectively utilize alternative metabolic (cometabolism) routes for enhanced degradation of ECs. Additionally, the ECs removal via the microalgal biodegradation route is highly promising as it can transform the ECs into less toxic compounds. The present review comprehensively discusses different mechanisms involved in removing ECs and various factors that affect their removal. Also, the technoeconomic feasibility of microalgae than other conventional wastewater treatment methods is summarised. The review also highlighted the different molecular and genetic tools that can augment the activity and robustness of microalgae for better removal of organic contaminants. Finally, we have summarised the challenges and future research required towards microalgal-based bioremediation of emerging contaminants (ECs) as a holistic approach.

Microplastics in the environment: An urgent need for coordinated waste management policies and strategies

Microplastics (MPs) have become a prevalent environmental concern, exerting detrimental effects on marine and terrestrial ecosystems, as well as human health. Addressing this urgent issue necessitates the implementation of coordinated waste management policies and strategies. In this study, we present a comprehensive review focusing on key results and the underlying mechanisms associated with microplastics. We examine their sources and pathways, elucidate their ecological and human health impacts, and evaluate the current state of waste management policies. By drawing upon recent research and pertinent case studies, we propose a range of practical solutions, encompassing enhanced recycling and waste reduction measures, product redesign, and innovative technological interventions. Moreover, we emphasize the imperative for collaboration and cooperation across sectors and jurisdictions to effectively tackle this pressing environmental challenge. The findings of this study contribute to the broader understanding of microplastics and provide valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders alike.

Control strategies for microplastic pollution in groundwater

Groundwater is the primary source of water that occurs below the earth's surface. However, the advancement in technology and the increasing population, which lead to the discharge of contaminants such as microplastics (MPs), have an adverse impact on the quality of groundwater. MPs are ubiquitous pollutants that are widely found throughout the world. The maximum abundance of MPs is 4 items/L and 15.2 items/L in groundwater at the specific location of China and USA. Various factors can affect the migration of MPs from soil to groundwater. The occurrence of MPs in water causes serious health issues. Therefore, taking appropriate strategies to control MP contamination in groundwater is urgent and important. This review summarizes the current literature on the migration process of MPs from soil to groundwater along with possible methods for the remediation of MP-polluted groundwater. The main objective of the review is to summarize the technical parameters, process, mechanism, and characteristics of various remediation methods and to analyze strategies for controlling MP pollution in groundwater, providing a reference for future research. Possible control strategies for MP pollution in groundwater include two aspects: i) prevention of MPs from entering groundwater; ii) remediation of polluted groundwater with MPs (ectopic remediation and in-situ remediation). Formulating legislative measures, strengthening public awareness and producing more environment-friendly alternatives can be helpful to reduce the production of MPs from the source. Manage plastic waste reasonably is also a good strategy and the most important part of the management is recycling. The shortcomings of the current study and the direction of future research are also highlighted in the review.

Mapping of emerging contaminants in coastal waters research: A bibliometric analysis of research output during 1986-2022

This bibliometric analysis provides the first overview of the literature on emerging contaminants in coastal waters. Bibexcel, Microsoft Excel, VOSviewer and the bibliometix R package software were used for bibliometric analysis and science mapping. 556 publications, published between 1986 and 2022, were retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) database. The results showed that this field of research follows Price's law of exponential growth and has exploded since 2001. Authors, journals and institutions followed Lotka's law, and Price's index (43.4 %) showed that the field is far from being obsolete. The most influential institution is the Chinese Academy of Sciences, while authors from China, USA, Japan and Singapore have the most publications and international co-authorships. The leading journal is Marine Pollution Bulletin, with a focus on Environmental Science WoS category. Hot research areas focus on risk assessment of PCBs, organochlorine compounds and personal care products in surface water and wastewater.

Water pollution control and revitalization using advanced technologies: Uncovering artificial intelligence options towards environmental health protection, sustainability and water security

In Ghana, illegal mining (galamsey) activities have polluted most of the river bodies. For example, water bodies in Ghana that are polluted amounts to 60% with most of them in deteriorating condition. However, to live a sustainable life, there is the need to follow rules of environmental management, where pollution control and advanced treatment technologies are imperative. The adoption of control strategies and advanced technologies in galamsey-affected-water basins in Ghana will help provide real-time revitalization for supply of quality water. The control strategies for water pollution management and advanced technologies would particularly help utility companies in ensuring that all Ghanaians continue to get potable, reliable, and sustainable water supplies for the current and future generations. The paper covers three key control strategies for water pollution management, vis-à-vis six major aspects of advanced technologies and the use of artificial intelligence (AI). AI based decision-making tools help optimize the use of various treatment technologies, such as adsorption, ion exchanges, electrokinetic processes, chemical precipitation, phytobial remediation, and membrane technology to effectively remove pollutants from affected water bodies. The paper also focuses on advantages and disadvantages of several advanced technologies, challenges on leveraging the technologies while identifying gaps, and possible technology roadmap. The review contributes to water quality issues in Ghana's Pra river basin by embracing AI and other cutting-edge technologies to address the current water pollution crisis and also ensure sustainable and secure water supply for future generations. This contribution is in line with the United Nations' Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals' (SDGs) goal 6 (clean water and sanitation) and goal 3 (good health and well-being).