Occurrence and potential risks of emerging contaminants in water

Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) occur in the environment on a global scale and encompass a huge number of life style compounds, ranging from organic and inorganic compounds to nanoparticles, released into the environment because of human activities with the potential to harm biota and health. Owing to their extensive application, their continuous occurrence and release in wastewaters, sewage sludge, surface water and groundwaters, landfills, and waste have become an emerging issue to consider control measures for them. Urban Wastewater Treatment Plants are one of the main point sources of CECs to the environment as UWWTPs are usually not designed to effectively remove them. Although improvement of analytical techniques allowed the identification of widespread CECs in reduced concentrations (μg to ng/L) and in various environmental compartments, we are still far away from a complete classification of many CECs and their potential harmful effects. Therefore, providing data on occurrence, sources, and fate of CECs is essential for prioritizing and regulating them.