Emerging Contaminants in Water: A Growing Environmental and Public Health Challenge

Abstract Water pollutants such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pesticides, and microplastics are also increasingly posing threats to human health and water quality. The pollutants are typically unregulated and find their way into water bodies through industrial wastewater, agricultural runoff, and wastewater treatment facilities. Due to their persistence and bioaccumulation, the pollutants are of great ecological and human health concern, such as endocrine disruption, antimicrobial resistance, and carcinogenicity. This research paper analyzes the sources, environmental effects, and mitigation options for emerging pollutants. Through a review of recent literature, we highlight the pressing need for next-generation water treatment technologies and more stringent regulatory systems. Solving these issues calls for an interdisciplinary approach combining chemistry, environmental science, and public policy to formulate sustainable and effective water management solutions