LIFE Project: Innovative and versatile integrated solution for removing contaminants of emerging concern in water treatment systems

The chemical industry currently produces more than 70,000 different chemicals, with an estimated global sales value of €5 billion. Many of these substances are released into the aquatic environment, posing serious risks to the environment and human health. Comprehensive environmental and health risk assessments for all chemicals in use are currently not possible due to the wide variety of chemicals and their everyday use. According to emergincontaminats.eu, new chemicals are slow to be considered contaminants, i.e., contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), or simply emerging pollutants or priority substances. The European Commission defines CECs as substances that have the potential to enter the environment and cause adverse ecological and health effects. CECs are mostly unregulated, and their potential impacts are poorly understood. Health risks include impairment of the immune system, endocrine disruption, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. A better understanding of their properties, such as bioaccumulation, would lead to better legislation on CECs.