The Water Research Commission (WRC) has established a hub for what is termed “contaminants of emerging concern.”
These are chemicals found in waterbodies which could possibly have an impact on the ecology and human health. These are chemicals not monitored or regulated by authorities.
In a statement on Environment Day, on Wednesday, the 05th June 2024, the WRC said the newly established hub is a digital specimen bank of collected pollution data in South Africa.
Its focus is on nanomaterials, flame retardants, microplastics, agricultural waste, microbial pollutants, heavy metals, and chemicals found in wastewater such as pharmaceutical and personal care products.
The WRC says some of these contaminants may be detrimental to reproductive systems, and their unregulated use, could bring more environmental concerns.
Present research covers known contaminants of water, but water professionals are already discovering novel pollutants in our water bodies, previously at levels below detection limits.
Now the WRC wants the SADC region, to develop a wider hub, to enhance regional data and monitor environmental campaigns.
Picture: OECD