Editorial: Developments in managing emerging pollutants in natural waters: a focus on low- and middle-income regions

Globally, over 80% of wastewater is discharged without proper treatment. In middle-income countries, only 38% of municipal and industrial wastewater undergoes treatment, decreasing to 28% and 8% in lower middle-income and low-income countries, respectively (European investment bank, 2022). Numerous emerging pollutants (EPs) stem from human activities, often released without robust regulation. Examples of EPs encompass surfactants, flame retardants, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, gasoline additives, biocides, polar pesticides, microplastics, and their degradation byproducts. These pollutants can potentially travel long distances and have been identified in natural water bodies such as rivers, lakes, oceans, and even in tap water worldwide. Several EPs have been confirmed as endocrine disruptors. Moreover, certain substances like hormones and antibiotics pose a threat to aquatic fauna, leading to adverse environmental impacts, such as diminished biodiversity or alterations in ecosystem functions.
Compounding this issue, emerging pollutants (EPs) are not consistently integrated into international or national control programs, leading to a limited understanding of their fate, behavior, and ecotoxicological effects. In regions such as Latin America, the Caribbean, India, and Africa, this situation is exacerbated by the scarcity of adequate wastewater treatment facilities, the lack of regulation and control over industrial discharges, and the availability of low-cost and effective treatment technologies. This combination heightens the probability of EPs being present in sources used for domestic and agricultural purposes.