Many chemicals (e.g., pharmaceuticals, flame retardants) can help people and animals live easier, healthier, and safer lives, but their use sometimes comes with unknown consequences for human and environmental health. Accidental poisonings of people and animals, drug misuse and abuse, contamination of drinking water, unintended impacts on wildlife and plants, and wasted healthcare dollars have all been associated with contaminants of emerging concern (CECs).
CECs, also known as emerging contaminants, are substances found at low levels in the environment, but impacts on humans and aquatic life are unknown. These may be new chemicals or materials just recently found in the environment, due to improvements in detection techniques. Pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and endocrine disrupting chemicals (i.e., BPA, flame retardants) are the most well-known CECs. Research on CECs is key to ensuring healthy water resources—to determine ecosystem and human health effects, detectable and safe limits, and prevention and remediation techniques.
Studies in the U.S. have identified CECs in rivers, lakes, coastal waters, groundwater, sewage sludge, landfill leachate, soil, air, and plant and animal tissues. Most of these CECs have not been fully evaluated for the risks they might pose to the environment, to plants, fish, wildlife—or to us—but research to prevent the release of CECs and mitigate their effects is ongoing, and is a quickly-growing area of interest.
For some CECs like microplastics and pharmaceuticals, it is important to understand that a major source of pollution may be people and their practices. We may unknowingly pollute because we are simply unaware that our behavior has environmental consequences, there are barriers and incentives that lead us away from environmentally sustainable options, or we are uninformed about the alternatives. This is why understanding the environmental impacts of consumer and industrial products—including how those products are made and disposed—is integral to protecting human and environmental health.
The information below provides an overview of the different categories of contaminants of emerging concern, examples of chemicals found within those categories, where various CECs have been detected, and the health effects found in both environmental and lab-controlled studies. Click on any reference to be taken to the full citation.
This is an overview of CECs and is not intended to be a comprehensive review. For more information about any of the studies cited here, or to report an error, please contact Sarah Zack.1
Pharmaceuticals
Definition
A compound manufactured for use as a medicinal drug
Examples2
Antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin, sulfonamide, tetracycline), painkillers (e.g., ibuprofen, acetaminophen), antidepressants (e.g., fluoxetine, sertraline), metformin, synthetic progestin
Where have they been detected?
Organisms, surface waters3, treated wastewater, groundwater, drinking (tap) water, sediment
What are the potential health effects on aquatic organisms?
Bioaccumulation in tissues, genotoxicity (DNA damage), altered feeding behavior, altered reproductive behavior, endocrine disruption, reduced survival, developmental delays, organ damage, antibiotic resistance, decreased diversity
References
Vernouillet et al. 2010; Richmond et al. 2019; Aguirre-Martínez et al. 2013; Brodin et al. 2013; Schultz et al. 2011; Niemuth and Klaper 2015; Fritts et al. 2016; Bahamonde et al. 2015; Fuzzen et al. 2015; Iwanowicz et al. 2016; Kidd et al. 2007; Frankel et al. 2016; Foster et al. 2010; Hoeger et al. 2005; Heberer et al. 2002; Fram and Belitz 2011; Ramil et al. 2010; Kolpin et al. 2013; Naslund et al. 2008; Sabri et al. 2018; Delgado-Gardea et al. 2016
Personal Care Products
Definition
Chemical substances used in a diverse group of personal items like toiletries and cosmetics
Examples2
Sodium lauryl sulfate, triclosan, musks and fragrances, parabens, oxybenzone, octinoxate, DEET
Where have they been detected?
Organisms, surface waters3, treated wastewater, groundwater, drinking (tap) water, biosolids, sediment
What are the potential health effects on aquatic organisms?
Altered behavior, altered gene expression, bioaccumulation in tissues, endocrine disruption, antibiotic resistance, cytotoxicity (cell damage), genotoxicity (DNA damage), reduced reproduction, reduced growth rates, reduced survival
References
Ramirez et al. 2009; Fritsch et al. 2013; Veldhoen et al. 2006; de Solla et al. 2016; Raut and Angus 2010; Bedoux et al. 2012; Klosterhaus et al. 2013; Shipley 2014; Olaniyan et al. 2016; Luckenbach and Epel 2005; Rimkus 1999; Gatermann et al. 2002; Lefebvre et al. 2017; Carlsson et al. 2000; Downs et al. 2013; Danovaro et al. 2008; Paredes et al. 2014; Roy et al. 2017; Campos et al. 2016; Martinez et al. 2016; Seo et al. 2005; Stackelberg et al. 2004; Glassmeyer et al. 2005; Kolpin et al. 2002
Lifestyle Products
Definition
A diverse group of chemicals found in products used by choice, sometimes in a recreational capacity
Examples2
Caffeine, nicotine, artificial sweeteners (e.g., sucralose, saccharin, aspartame)
Where have they been detected?
Organisms, surface water, treated wastewater, groundwater, drinking (tap) water, bottled water, precipitation, sediment, landfill seepage
What are the potential health effects on aquatic organisms?
Impaired feeding ability, cytotoxicity (cell damage), genotoxicity (DNA damage), impaired reproduction, inhibited or altered growth, altered locomotion, reduced survival
References
Sauvé et al. 2012; Kessler 2009; Calza et al. 2013; Van Stempvoort et al. 2011; Scheurer et al. 2009; Saucedo-Vence et al. 2017; Eriksson Wiklund et al. 2014; Gan et al. 2013; Slaughter et al. 2011 Micevska et al. 2006; Yang et al. 2015; Baker and Kasprzyk-Hordern 2013; Seckar et al. 2008; Schwarzbauer et al. 2002; Buerge et al. 2008; Gonzalez Alonso et al. 2012; Chen et al. 2008; Aguirre-Martínez et al. 2013; Martín-Díaz et al. 2009; Pollack et al. 2009; Moore et al. 2008; Rodriguez del Rey et al. 2012; Busse and Nagoda 2015
Microplastics
Definition
Plastic pieces less than five millimeters in size found in one of several forms (i.e., films, fragments, foam, fiber, beads)
Examples2
Polyethylene, polystyrene, nylon, polyester, polypropylene
Where have they been detected?
Organisms, surface water, treated wastewater, groundwater, drinking (tap and bottled) water, beer, sea salt, sediments
What are the potential health effects on aquatic organisms?
Endocrine disruption, concentration of contaminants, reduced feeding ability, reduced growth, reduced reproduction, reduced survival
References
Barnes et al. 2009; Claessens et al. 2011; Foekema et al. 2013; Cole et al. 2011; Davidson and Dudas 2016; Farrell and Nelson 2013; Wegner et al. 2012; Desforges et al. 2015; Ogonowski et al. 2016; Au et al. 2015; Della Torre et al. 2014; Browne et al. 2008; de Sá et al. 2015; Panno (pers comm); Kosuth et al. 2018; Foley et al. 2018; Mason et al. 2018; Teuten et al. 2009; Rochman et al. 2014
Nanomaterials
Definition
Manufactured materials less than 100 nanometers in size that have great strength, thermal stability, and low permeability
Examples2
Nanoparticles of compounds such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, carbon nanotubes, silver, copper
Where have they been detected?
Organisms, surface water, treated wastewater, sediments
What are the potential health effects on aquatic organisms?
Reduced survival, reduced growth rate, reproductive failure, impaired feeding ability, decreased and altered diversity, cytotoxicity (cell damage)
References
Sanchís et al. 2015; Griffitt et al. 2009; Van Hoecke et al. 2009; Kwok et al. 2010; Jovanović and Guzmán 2014; Hanna et al. 2013; Trevisan et al. 2014; Miller et al. 2010; Wong et al. 2010; Lewicka et al. 2013; Binh et al. 2016; Paterson et al. 2011; Ates et al. 2013; Manzo et al. 2013; Sanchís et al. 2013
Disinfectants and Household Cleaners
Definition
Chemical agents used on non-living surfaces to destroy, neutralize, or inhibit the growth of disease causing microorganisms
Examples2
Commercial laundry detergents, quaternary ammonium compounds
Where have they been detected?
Organisms, surface water, treated wastewater
What are the potential health effects on aquatic organisms?
Eutrophication of water bodies, reduced survival, reduced feeding ability and nutrient uptake, inhibited breathing, cytotoxicity (cell damage)
References
Mathew et al. 2013; Sánchez-Fortún et al. 2008; Liang et al. 2013; Jawahar et al. 2015; Saxena et al. 2005; Kundu et al. 2015
Disinfection By-Products
Definition
Chemical substances resulting from the interaction of organic matter with disinfection agents during the water treatment process
Examples2
By-products of treated iodine, chlorine, and other disinfection compounds
Where have they been detected?
Treated wastewater, drinking water
What are the potential health effects on aquatic organisms?
Cytotoxicity (cell damage), genotoxicity (DNA damage), carcinogenesis
References
Liberatore et al. 2017; Mitch and Sedlak 2002; Jeong et al. 2012; Zhao et al. 2010; Plewa et al. 2004; Plewa 2010
Pesticides
Definition
Chemical substances or microbiological agents that kill, incapacitate, or otherwise prevent pests from causing damage
Examples2
Atrazine, nitrapyrin, neonicotinoids, glyphosate, organochlorines
Where have they been detected?
Organisms, surface water, treated wastewater, groundwater, drinking water, precipitation, sediments
What are the potential health effects on aquatic organisms?
Endocrine disruption, developmental delays, altered swimming behavior, reduced survival, reduced reproduction, immunosuppression
References
Battaglin et al. 2009; Miles et al. 2017; Woodward et al. 2016; Relyea 2005; Rohr et al. 2008; Forson and Storfer 2006; Dodson and Hanazato 1995; Spalding et al. 2003; U.S. EPA (accessed 11/2018); Vasanth et al. 2015; Zhao et al. 2006; Sankararamakrishnan et al. 2005; Laabs et al. 2002; Cerejeira et al. 2003; Kole et al. 2001; Caldas et al. 2013; Hayes et al. 2010; Hayes et al. 2011
Flame Retardants
Definition
Any of several classes of materials or coatings that inhibit or resist the spread of fire
Examples2
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), brominated and chlorinated flame retardants, organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs)
Where have they been detected?
Organisms, surface water, sediment
What are the potential health effects on aquatic organisms?
Endocrine disruption, bioaccumulation in tissues, decreased reproductive success, reduced survival, developmental delays, neurobehavioral effects
References
Klosterhaus et al. 2012; Kitamura et al. 2005; Noyes and Stapleton 2014; van de Merwe et al. 2011; Rattfelt Nyholm et al. 2008; Liu et al. 2012; Fayiga and Ipinmoroti 2017; Qiu et al. 2007; Wei et al. 2012; Gauthier et al. 2007; Hites et al. 2004; Darnerud 2008; Kuiper et al. 2007; Verslycke et al. 2005
Plasticizers
Definition
A chemical additive that increases the plasticity or fluidity of a material
Examples2
Phthalates, BPA (bisphenol A), DEHP
Where have they been detected?
Organisms, surface water, treated wastewater, biosolids, sediments
What are the potential health effects on aquatic organisms?
Altered swimming, feeding, and general behavior, bioaccumulation in tissues, endocrine disruption, cytotoxicity (cell damage), genotoxicity (DNA damage), impaired reproduction, inhibited and/or abnormal development, metabolic disruption
References
Espmark Wibe et al. 2002; Huang et al. 2008; Fromme et al. 2002; Iwamuro et al. 2003; Levy et al. 2004; Oka et al. 2003; Lee et al. 2006; Mandich et al. 2007; Lahnsteiner et al. 2005; Sohoni et al. 2001; Lindholst et al. 2001; Brian et al. 2005; Andersen et al. 2001; Brennan et al. 2006; Oehlmann et al. 2006; Lee and Rao Veeramachaneni 2005; Ohtani et al. 2000; Barse et al. 2007; Thibaut and Porte 2004; Kim et al. 2002; Norman et al. 2007; Peijnenburg and Struijs 2006; Barse et al. 2007
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
Definition
Also known as PFAS, a group of man-made chemicals widely used to make carpets, clothing, fabrics, paper packaging for food, or other materials that are resistant to water, grease, or stains
Examples2
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), GenX, Teflon, firefighting foam
Where have they been detected?
Organisms, surface water, treated wastewater, groundwater, drinking water, sediment
What are the potential health effects on aquatic organisms?
Increased mortality, bioaccumulation in tissues, inhibited growth, reduced diversity
References
Skutlarek et al. 2006; Ankley et al. 2009; Boudreau et al. 2003; Phillips et al. 2007; Phillips et al. 2010; Yamashita et al. 2008; Giesy and Kannan 2001; Martin et al. 2003; Norström et al. 2015; Guelfo et al. 2018; Möller et al. 2010; Xiao et al. 2012; Boiteux et al. 2012
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