Emerging pollutants of severe environmental concern in water and wastewater: A comprehensive review on current developments and future research

Abstract

Environmental contaminants have emerged significantly due to the enormous consumption of medications, personal-care products, antibiotics, and hormones for cosmetic and health reasons. Emerging pollutants (EPs), often alluded to as contaminants, have become a massive concern for the entire populace due to their immense critical environmental and human health hazards. EPs have a broad range of environmental effects. EPs emanate from either human or animal origins, with the ability to permeate streams instantaneously or gradually through soils. Consequently, potable water sources will get tainted, water quality will degrade, and health conditions will emerge. For more than a decade, research has been conducted on various pollutants, but this developing class of contaminants mainly comprises those from the fertilizer, pharmaceutical, and personal care industries. Even in lower quantities, the majority of evolving pollutants may be harmful to people and marine life. These chemicals lack defined limits because potable water treatment facilities require water sources. The prevalence of this deterioration in aquatic environments, particularly surface and groundwater, is a severe problem. EPs treatment technologies utilize a range of methodologies, including physicochemical, biological, and modern oxidation processes, regardless of their benefits and limitations.