Sources and Types of Emerging Contaminants in Drinking Water
Abstract
Emerging contaminants (ECs) in drinking water (DW) is a major escalating concern globally for public health and the environment. These contaminants include a diverse spectrum of both and synthetic chemicals that are not monitored routinely but are increasingly identified in water supplies. Key sources of ECs in DW include insufficiently treated municipal wastewater, runoffs of agriculture loaded with veterinary drugs and pesticides, industrial effluents, leachate from landfill leachate, and discharges from personal care products, pharmaceuticals, and domestic chemicals. Increase urbanization and growth in population enhance the release of these pollutants, while aging water system and inadequate regulatory enforcement retain their presence in drinking water supplies. Major types of ECs include endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), pharmaceuticals, microplastics, personal care products (PPCPs), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), disinfection by-products (DBPs), engineered nanomaterials, and natural toxins (algal metabolites). Although these contaminants typically appear at very small concentrations, these substances can bioaccumulate and result in long-term health risks, such as antimicrobial resistance, hormonal disruption, carcinogenicity, and developmental toxicity. Recent research indicates the importance of advanced detection techniques, most especially high-resolution mass spectrometry, in detecting trace pollutants. Effective management of ECs demands…
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