•  
  •  
 

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Keywords

new pollutants, definition and scope, fundamental scientific research, risk assessment, health effects

Abstract

The governance of new pollutants has been becoming a critical strategic demand for the high-quality development of China. The policy will be further advanced during the coming National 15th Five-Year Plan period. Nevertheless, significant challenges remain in aspects such as list of controlled chemicals, standard development, measurement methods, alternative approaches, and remediation techniques. Existing experience in addressing traditional pollutants remains insufficient to adequately address the concealed and complex ecological and/or health risks associated with new pollutants. Thus, a strengthening of basic research is the optimal approach to tackling these challenges and avoiding detours. To better identify the critical scientific challenges and outline key breakthroughs for fundamental research, this study systematically discusses the following five central aspects, namely, the origins of new pollutants research, the definition and scope of new pollutants, the foundation and development of scientific research in China, the current primary challenges, and the future research directions. The outcome will contribute to advancing the development of national risk prevention and control system, facilitating the fulfillment of international commitments, and achieving the goals of building a Healthy China.

First page

1512

Last Page

1526

Language

Chinese

Publisher

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences

References

[1] Ruan T, Li P Y, Wang H T, et al. Identification and prioritization of environmental organic pollutants: From an analytical and toxicological perspective. Chemical Reviews, 2023, 123(17): 10584-10640.

[2] 江桂斌, 阮挺, 曲广波. 发现新型有机污染物的理论与方法. 北京: 科学出版社, 2019. Jiang G B, Ruan T, Qu G B. Theory and Methodology on Identification of Environmental Organic Pollutants. Beijing: China Science Publishing & Media Ltd., 2019. (in Chinese)

[3] Muir D C G, Howard P H. Are there other persistent organic pollutants? A challenge for environmental chemists. Environmental Science & Technology, 2006, 40(23): 7157-7166.

[4] Kostal J, Voutchkova-Kostal A, Anastas P T, et al. Identifying and designing chemicals with minimal acute aquatic toxicity. PNAS, 2015, 112(20): 6289-6294.

[5] 周群芳, 刘倩, 杨晓溪, 等. 环境内分泌干扰物的筛选与检测技术. 北京: 科学出版社, 2025. Zhou Q F, Liu Q, Yang X X, et al. Screening and Detection Technologies for Environmental Endocrine Disruptor Compounds. Beijing: China Science Publishing & Media Ltd., 2025. (in Chinese)

[6] Wang H B, Wang Z Y, Chen J W, et al. Graph attention network model with defined applicability domains for screening PBT chemicals. Environmental Science & Technology, 2022, 56(10): 6774-6785.

[7] Yu Z H, Wu Z R, Zhou M R, et al. EDC-Predictor: A novel strategy for prediction of endocrine-disrupting chemicals by integrating pharmacological and toxicological profiles. Environmental Science & Technology, 2023, 57(46): 18013-18025.

[8] Schnoor J L. Emerging chemical contaminants. Environmental Science & Technology, 2003, 37(21): 375A.

[9] Field J A, Johnson C A, Rose J B. What is “emerging”?. Environmental Science & Technology, 2006, 40(23): 7105.

[10] Halden R U. Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Environment: Ecological and Human Health Considerations. Washington D C: American Chemical Society, 2010.

[11] Jin B, Huang C, Yu Y, et al. The need to adopt an international PMT strategy to protect drinking water resources. Environmental Science & Technology,2020, 54(19): 11651-11653.

[12] Smital T. Acute and chronic effects of emerging contaminants. Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, 2008, 5(S/1): 105-142.

[13] Yao Z W, Jiang G B, Liu J M, et al. Application of solid-phase microextraction for the determination of organophosphorous pesticides in aqueous samples by gas chromatography with flame photometric detector. Talanta, 2001, 55(4): 807-814.

[14] Yao Z W, Jiang G B, Xu H Z. Distribution of organochlorine pesticides in seawater of the Bering and Chukchi Sea. Environmental Pollution, 2002, 116(1): 49-56.

[15] Liu J F, Chao J B, Wen M J, et al. Automatic trace-enrichment of bisphenol A by a novel continuous flow liquid membrane extraction technique. Journal of Separation Science, 2001, 24(10-11): 874-878.

[16] Liu Y J, Mou S F, Heberling S. Determination of trace level bromate and perchlorate in drinking water by ion chromatography with an evaporative preconcentration technique. Journal of Chromatography A, 2002, 956(1): 85-91.

[17] Wang Y W, Liu H X, Zhao C Y, et al. Quantitative structure-activity relationship models for prediction of the toxicity of polybrominated diphenyl ether congeners. Environmental Science & Technology, 2005, 39(13): 4961-4966.

[18] Yeung L W, So M K, Jiang G B, et al. Perfluorooctanesulfonate and related fluorochemicals in human blood samples from China. Environmental Science & Technology, 2006, 40(3): 715-720.

[19] Liao C Y, Li X Y, Wu B, et al. Acute enhancement of synaptic transmission and chronic inhibition of synaptogenesis induced by perfluorooctane sulfonate through mediation of voltage-dependent calcium channel. Environmental Science & Technology, 2008, 42(14): 5335-5341.

[20] Liao C Y, Wang T, Cui L, et al. Changes in synaptic transmission, calcium current and neurite growth by perfluorinated compounds are dependent on the chain length and functional group. Environmental Science & Technology, 2009, 43(6): 2099-2104.

[21] 王亚韡, 傅建捷, 江桂斌. 短链氯化石蜡及其环境污染现状与毒性效应研究. 环境化学. 2009, 28: 1-9. Wang Y W, Fu J J, Jiang G B. The Research of Environmental pollutions toxic effect of short chain chlorinated paraffins. Environmental Chemistry 2009, 28: 1-9. (in Chinese)

[22] Zhang H Y, Wang Y W, Sun C, et al. Levels and distributions of hexachlorobutadiene and three chlorobenzenes in biosolids from wastewater treatment plants and in soils within and surrounding a chemical plant in China. Environmental Science & Technology, 2014, 48(3): 1525-1531.

[23] Sun Y X, Yang L L, Zheng M H, et al. Industrial source identification of polyhalogenated carbazoles and preliminary assessment of their global emissions. Nature Communications, 2023, 14: 3740.

[24] Zhao C Y, Yang L L, Sun Y X, et al. Atmospheric emissions of hexachlorobutadiene in fine particulate matter from industrial sources. Nature Communications, 2024, 15: 4737.

[25] Luo Y Y, Shen Y C, Zheng M H, et al. Global emissions of polychlorinated naphthalenes from 1912 to 2050. Nature Communications, 2024, 15: 10895.

[26] 王小刚,王斌,衡利苹,等. 发展新质生产力背景下的新污染物治理研究. 中国工程科学, 2025, 27(3): 142-151. Wang X G, Wang B, Heng L P, et al. Emerging contaminant control in the context of developing new-quality productivity. Strategic Study of CAE, 2025, 27(3): 142-151. (in Chinese)

[27] Editorial. Science at the heart of food safety. Nature Food, 2025, 6: 525.

[28] 陈玲, 杨潇, 张琳钰, 等. 食品中环境新污染物危害管控研究. 中国工程科学, 2022, 24(6): 99-106. Chen L, Yang X, Zhang L Y, et al. Hazard and management of emerging environmental pollutants in food of China. Strategic Study of CAE, 2022, 24(6): 99-106. (in Chinese)

[29] 唐宋,吕跃斌, 王琼, 等. 新污染物人群健康危害的研究需求与未来展望. 科学通报, 2025, doi: 10.1360/CSB-2025-0307. Tang S, Lv Y B, Wang Q, et al. Research priorities for the adverse health effects of emerging contaminants. Chinese Science Bulletin, 2025, doi: 10.1360/CSB-2025-0307.(in Chinese)

[30] 周庆祥, 江桂斌. 浅谈环境内分泌干扰物质. 科技术语研究, 2001, 3(3): 12-14. Zhou Q X, Jiang G B. A brief discussion on environmental endocrine disruptor compounds. Research on Scientific and Technical Terminology, 2001, 3(3): 12-14. (in Chinese)

[31] 蔡亚岐, 刘稷燕, 周庆祥, 等. 持久性有机污染物的样品前处理方法与技术. 北京: 科学出版社, 2019. Cai Y Q, Liu J Y, Zhou Q X, et al. Sample Preparation Methods and Techniques for Persistent Organic Pollutants. Beijing: China Science Publishing & Media Ltd., 2019. (in Chinese)

[32] 王亚韡, 曾立希, 杨瑞强, 等. 新型有机污染物的环境行为. 北京:科学出版社, 2018. Wang Y W, Zeng L X, Yang R Q, et al. Environmental Behavior of Emerging Organic Pollutants. Beijing: China Science Publishing & Media Ltd., 2018. (in Chinese)

[33] 刘国瑞, 郑明辉, 孙轶斐, 等. 工业过程中持久性有机污染物排放特征. 北京: 科学出版社, 2018. Liu G R, Zheng M H, Sun Y F, et al. Characteristics of Persistent Organic Pollutant Emissions in Industrial Processes. Beijing: China Science Publishing & Media Ltd., 2018. (in Chinese)

[34] 江桂斌. 新污染物导论. 北京: 高等教育出版社, 2025. Jiang G B. Introduction to New Pollutants. Beijing: Higher Education Press Ltd., 2025. (in Chinese)

[35] 江桂斌, 刘维屏. 环境化学前沿. 北京: 科学出版社, 2017. Jiang G B, Liu W P. Frontiers of Environmental Chemistry. Beijing: China Science Publishing & Media Ltd., 2017. (in Chinese)

[36] 江桂斌, 宋茂勇. 环境暴露与健康效应. 北京: 科学出版社, 2020. Jiang G B, Song M Y. Environmental Exposure and Health Effects. Beijing: China Science Publishing & Media Ltd., 2020. (in Chinese)

[37] 江桂斌, 王春霞, 张爱茜. 大气细颗粒物的毒理与健康效应. 北京: 科学出版社, 2020. Jiang G B, Wang C X, Zhang A Q. Toxicity and Health Effects of Atmospheric Fine Particulate Matters. Beijing: China Science Publishing & Media Ltd., 2020. (in Chinese)

[38] 廖春阳, 江桂斌. 环境合成生物学. 北京: 科学出版社, 2025. Liao C Y, Jiang G B. Environmental Synthetic Biology. Beijing: China Science Publishing & Media Ltd., 2025. (in Chinese)

[39] Monclús L, Arp H P H, Groh K J, et al. Mapping the chemical complexity of plastics. Nature 2025, 643: 349-355.

Share

COinS