Occurrence of Emerging Contaminants in Southeast Asian Environments: Present Status, Challenges, and Future Prospects

The status of emerging contaminant (EC) profiles in Southeast Asia is currently unclear and often overshadowed by studies conducted in developed regions such as North America, Europe, and Asia. EC research in Southeast Asia is especially critical due to its high population density and poor sanitation infrastructure that introduce large amounts of ECs into the aquatic environment. This literature Review investigated the status of EC research in 11 Southeast Asian countries. Key pharmaceutical groups such as antibiotics (sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, sulfamethazine, ciprofloxacin, and lincomycin) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (diclofenac, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen) were among the most frequently studied group of ECs, while other significant groups of interests in this Review included per- and polyfluoroallcyl substances (PFAS) and phthalate esters (PAEs). With most Southeast Asian countries having agrarian economies and the onset of climate change, the overutilization of antibiotics and pesticides to meet the commercial demand for agriculture and livestock products is a major threat to aquatic environments and even human health in this region. This Review identifies understudied emerging contaminant groups in Southeast Asia such as disinfectants and transformation byproducts and recommends future research directions for Southeast Asia, particularly focusing on seasonal trends of EC input into surface and groundwater environments.

Automated summary

The status of emerging contaminant profiles in Southeast Asia is unclear and often overshadowed by research conducted in developed regions. High population density and poor sanitation infrastructure in Southeast Asia introduce large amounts of emerging contaminants into the aquatic environment. Antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and phthalate esters are among the most frequently studied groups of emerging contaminants in this region. Overutilization of antibiotics and pesticides in Southeast Asia's agrarian economies poses a major threat to aquatic environments and human health.