160
T. Sahoo et al.
Source water may be contaminated by many carcinogens, but they are present in
lower concentration. Further, contaminants introduced during treatments process are
limited in number, but their frequency is far more in comparison with the source
contaminants (Turner 2019). Finally, water while moving through pipes, fixtures
and joints or other distribution systems may get contaminated by the compounds
present in them before reaching to the consumer (Fawell and Nieuwenhuijsen 2003).
This chapter discusses various sources and pathways of these contaminants and various types of contaminants of emerging concern like pharmaceuticals, personal care
products, plasticizers, pesticides, steroids, perfluorochemicals, food additives, artificial sweeteners and surfactants. Carcinogenic emerging contaminants like arsenic,
asbestos, radon, parabens, alkylphenol, fluoride, nitrate, disinfection by-products,
microbes, etc., are also discussed throwing light on its toxicity and the range of
cancer they initiate within human beings through water contamination. Further, carcinogenic mechanism induced by these carcinogenic contaminants is also discussed
(Singh et al. 2019, 2020). The aim of this chapter is to discuss various types of
emerging contaminants causing cancer, their harmful effects and how it invades the
human body through the medium of water, thus leading to dreadful diseases. The
concluding remarks focus on the need to eliminate these toxic substances from the
environment by adopting suitable measures.
7.2 Contaminants of Emerging Concern
As discussed, contaminants of emerging concern are the class of chemicals which
have been present in the surrounding for decades, but their significance and presence
are presently elucidated. Information and data regarding these contaminants are limited, and hence, research and treatment of these substances face difficulties. Network
of reference laboratories, related organizations and research centres for monitoring
of emerging environmental substances like NORMAN reported a list of contaminants of emerging concern based on the literature studies (Siddique et al. 2016).
US environmental protection agency (USEPA) defined emerging contaminant as a
material which is characterized by real or potential danger to environment and human
health (Halden 2015). According to US geological Survey (USGS), contaminants of
emerging concern are naturally occurring or synthetically available microorganisms
or chemical which is not monitored by environment but are capable enough to pollute
the environment and adverse human health and ecological effects (Klaper and Welch
2011). Some of the selected contaminants of emerging concern are discussed below.
In Table 7.1, some of the contaminants, their toxicity and sources are shown.
T. Sahoo et al.
Source water may be contaminated by many carcinogens, but they are present in
lower concentration. Further, contaminants introduced during treatments process are
limited in number, but their frequency is far more in comparison with the source
contaminants (Turner 2019). Finally, water while moving through pipes, fixtures
and joints or other distribution systems may get contaminated by the compounds
present in them before reaching to the consumer (Fawell and Nieuwenhuijsen 2003).
This chapter discusses various sources and pathways of these contaminants and various types of contaminants of emerging concern like pharmaceuticals, personal care
products, plasticizers, pesticides, steroids, perfluorochemicals, food additives, artificial sweeteners and surfactants. Carcinogenic emerging contaminants like arsenic,
asbestos, radon, parabens, alkylphenol, fluoride, nitrate, disinfection by-products,
microbes, etc., are also discussed throwing light on its toxicity and the range of
cancer they initiate within human beings through water contamination. Further, carcinogenic mechanism induced by these carcinogenic contaminants is also discussed
(Singh et al. 2019, 2020). The aim of this chapter is to discuss various types of
emerging contaminants causing cancer, their harmful effects and how it invades the
human body through the medium of water, thus leading to dreadful diseases. The
concluding remarks focus on the need to eliminate these toxic substances from the
environment by adopting suitable measures.
7.2 Contaminants of Emerging Concern
As discussed, contaminants of emerging concern are the class of chemicals which
have been present in the surrounding for decades, but their significance and presence
are presently elucidated. Information and data regarding these contaminants are limited, and hence, research and treatment of these substances face difficulties. Network
of reference laboratories, related organizations and research centres for monitoring
of emerging environmental substances like NORMAN reported a list of contaminants of emerging concern based on the literature studies (Siddique et al. 2016).
US environmental protection agency (USEPA) defined emerging contaminant as a
material which is characterized by real or potential danger to environment and human
health (Halden 2015). According to US geological Survey (USGS), contaminants of
emerging concern are naturally occurring or synthetically available microorganisms
or chemical which is not monitored by environment but are capable enough to pollute
the environment and adverse human health and ecological effects (Klaper and Welch
2011). Some of the selected contaminants of emerging concern are discussed below.
In Table 7.1, some of the contaminants, their toxicity and sources are shown.