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Advancing the Discovery of Emerging Contaminants: A Leap in Technology and Data
Summary
There are countless chemicals in our environment—like PFAS "forever chemicals," drug residues, and microplastics—that scientists still can't fully detect or track, which means new health risks could be slipping under the radar for years before we catch them. This review argues that combining better lab technology, artificial intelligence, and shared global data could help researchers spot harmful chemicals *before* they become widespread problems, rather than reacting after damage is done. For consumers, this matters because catching risky chemicals earlier—including new plastic-related pollutants—could mean faster warnings and safer products, instead of learning about dangers only after long-term exposure
Emerging contaminants pose substantial threats to ecosystems and public health. While advances in analytical techniques and chemicals assessment have revealed the impacts of contaminants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, pharmaceutical residues, and microplastics, knowledge of the vast chemical universe remains limited. This Perspective examines the evolving attention toward emerging contaminants and drivers of their discovery. It identifies key challenges, including methodological limitations in detecting diverse chemical classes, fragmented data landscapes, and delays in translating scientific evidence into regulatory action. We highlight how technological and methodological innovations, particularly advanced analytical technologies, artificial intelligence, and future-oriented assessment frameworks, can shift paradigms in identifying and managing emerging contaminants from reactive to predictive. Critical to this transition is the adoption of open and FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) and harmonized data standards to enable integration of heterogeneous evidence streams. Furthermore, we advocate coupling early warning systems with "Safe and Sustainable by Design" approaches to prevent regrettable substitution and reduce hazards at the source. Coordinated action across academia, regulators, industry, and funders is essential to establish proactive prevention as the norm in emerging contaminant management.