Emerging Contaminants in Urban Water Systems: PFAS, Pharmaceuticals, and Risks to Human Health

Emerging contaminants have become a growing concern in urban water systems due to their widespread occurrence, persistence, and potential adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. Among these contaminants, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and pharmaceutical residues are of particular importance because they are continuously introduced into surface water, groundwater, and drinking water through industrial activities, domestic wastewater, healthcare facilities, and agricultural runoff. Conventional wastewater treatment processes often fail to completely remove these persistent pollutants, allowing them to accumulate in aquatic environments and enter the human food and water supply. Chronic exposure to PFAS and pharmaceuticals has been associated with endocrine disruption, immune dysfunction, antibiotic resistance, developmental disorders, and other health risks. Understanding their sources, environmental fate, health impacts, and effective remediation strategies is therefore essential for safeguarding water quality, protecting public health, and supporting sustainable urban water management.The goal of this Research Topic is to advance the understanding of the occurrence, fate, transport, and health risks of emerging contaminants, particularly per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and pharmaceutical residues, in urban water systems. Despite increasing awareness of these pollutants, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding their long-term environmental behavior, combined toxicological effects, and efficient removal using existing water and wastewater treatment technologies. This Research Topic seeks to bring together interdisciplinary studies that investigate contaminant sources, environmental monitoring, analytical detection methods, exposure pathways, risk assessment, and innovative treatment strategies. Contributions addressing advanced materials, adsorption, membrane technologies, advanced oxidation processes, and nature-based solutions for contaminant removal are especially encouraged. Additionally, studies on regulatory frameworks, water reuse, and sustainable urban water management are welcomed to support evidence-based decision-making. By integrating advances in environmental science, engineering, toxicology, and public health, this Research Topic aims to promote effective solutions that mitigate emerging contaminant pollution, improve water quality, and protect both ecosystem integrity and human health. Not only limited to this given topics, it can be extended to the relevant water treatment technologies.This Research Topic welcomes high-quality original research articles, review articles, mini-reviews, perspectives, and case studies that advance knowledge on emerging contaminants in urban water systems, with particular emphasis on PFAS, pharmaceutical residues, and their implications for environmental and human health. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, contaminant occurrence and distribution, environmental fate and transport, analytical detection and monitoring, toxicological effects, human exposure pathways, ecological and health risk assessment, wastewater and drinking water treatment technologies, advanced materials for contaminant removal, membrane and adsorption processes, advanced oxidation and biological treatment methods, water reuse, regulatory frameworks, and sustainable urban water management. Interdisciplinary studies integrating environmental science, engineering, toxicology, public health, and policy are particularly encouraged. Contributions that provide innovative solutions, mechanistic insights, or practical applications for contaminant mitigation and water quality protection are especially welcome. Topic editors: Janardhan Reddy Koduru, Lebaka Veeranjaneya Reddy, Dr. Suresh Kumar Kailasa Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83769/emerging-contaminants-in-urban-water-systems-pfas-pharmaceuticals-and-risks-to-human-health