Contaminants of emerging concern

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Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) is a term used by water quality professionals to describe pollutants that have been detected in environmental monitoring samples, that may cause ecological or human health impacts, and typically are not regulated under current environmental laws. Sources of these pollutants include agriculture, urban runoff and ordinary household products (such as soaps and disinfectants) and pharmaceuticals that are disposed to sewage treatment plants and subsequently discharged to surface waters.^[1][2]

CECs include different substances like pharmaceuticals, personal care products, industrial byproducts, and agricultural chemicals. These substances often bypass regular detection and treatment processes, leading to their unintended persistence in the environment. The complexity of CECs arises not only from their different chemical nature but also from the complex ways they interact with ecosystems and human health. As such, they are the focus of increasing examination by researchers, policymakers, and public health officials who want to understand their long-term effects and develop effective interventions. Global initiatives, like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), emphasize the need to create international standards and effective environmental policies to address the challenges posed by CECs. Public awareness and advocacy play crucial roles in driving the research agenda and policy development for CECs, highlighting the need for updated manufacturing practices and developing more remediation and detection methods.