Emerging pollutants in Mexico: outlook, challenges and a possible biotechnological solution

Abstract

The intensive consumption of different products results in an increase of waste generation, in detriment of the health of living beings. Particularly in the case of non-regulated substances, the so-called emerging contaminants (EC) or microcontaminants, the negative effect they produce is not yet completely understood. The EC are typically accumulated in water bodies in very low concentrations (down to ng/L) and are ingredients of everyday life products such as personal care products (shampoo, toothpaste, soap), pharmaceutical products (antibiotics, analgesics, hormones), laundry detergents, plasticizers, to mention a few. In this review, we analyze the current status of the EC in Mexico, regarding their presence, detection, removal efficiency in wastewater treatment plants as well as legislation. Also the potential of redox enzymes as a biotechnological alternative for degradation of EC is discussed.