Briefing: A new wave of pollution: the challenge of emerging contaminants

Emerging contaminants are a new and concerning form of pollution with potentially harmful effects on both the environment and human health. Emerging contaminants are chemical compounds found in everyday products such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, single-use plastics and pesticides. These products are widely used and can easily enter the environment through wastewater, surface runoff and other pathways. Even at low concentrations, emerging contaminants have shown to have an adverse effect on aquatic organisms, wildlife and human health. This briefing explores the sources of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), microplastics and pharmaceuticals, their fate, the ways they enter and move through the environment, and their impacts on ecosystems and human health. The challenges associated with the detection and monitoring of these pollutants are identified and the need for innovative solutions to mitigate the risks posed by this new wave of pollution is highlighted. The steps being taken to combat these pollutants are discussed, along with the conversations behind the development of standards and regulations for PFAS, microplastics and pharmaceuticals.