Global Perspective of Chemicals of Emerging Concern-Occurrence, Impacts, and Challenges.

During the past several decades, a fast growing world population and economy has led to increasing production and consumption of a wide range of chemicals, many of which are used as human and veterinary pharmaceuticals for therapeutic and sub-therapeutic purposes and as active or inactive ingredients in personal care products that affect human daily life. These wide range of compounds are classified as “chemicals of emerging concern (CECs)” by the US EPA and other environmental organizations worldwide because their widespread occurrence in the environment and the significance of their potential negative impacts on ecological and human health have been more and more frequently reported. This presentation will: 1) provide local and global perspective of widespread occurrence of CECs in the environment; 2) summarize the major environmental and human health concerns; and 3) explore management options and challenges for reducing the input of CECs to the environment.