Risk Assessment of Emerging Water Pollutants

A complex mixture of pollutants in wastewater runs down from different sources into the aquatic environment, with potential hazards to aquatic organisms, human health, and the environment. Among these water pollutants, F−, NO3 −, and heavy metals (Cd, Pb Hg, Zn, Cr, Ni, As, etc.) are considered conventional pollutants, whereas nanomaterials, pharmaceutical compounds, personal care products, pesticides, endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), artificial sweeteners, surfactants, etc. are known as emerging water pollutants. This cocktail of water pollutants in the aquatic ecosystem is a real danger, leading to detrimental effects. This chapter discussed the environmental risk assessment (ERA) of the emerging water pollutants, especially the nanomaterials. The ERA of emerging pollutants will help indicate potential risks associated with these substances, highlighting the importance of their hazard identification, dose-response and exposure assessment, and risk characterization. This information will give insights into the recent findings related to the pollutants’ effects and their assessment approach.

Keywords: Agrochemicals, Emerging water pollutants, Nanomaterials, Personnel care products, Pharmaceuticals, Risk assessment