Summary of pollutants coming from human activities
| Family | Examples | Other information |
|---|---|---|
| Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) | Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) | Widely used due to their insulating properties as dielectrics in transformers and capacitors and lubricants in turbines and pumps |
| Polybromodiphenyl ethers (PBDEs) | Mainly used as flame retardants in plastics and textiles | |
| Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) | Carcinogenic dioxins | |
| Dioxin-like PCBs (DL-PCBs) | ||
| Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) | Toxicity, bioaccumulation (BA), mutagenicity, and teratogenicity | |
| Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) | Hormones | Naturally produced hormones such as testosterone, estrone, and 17b-estradiol |
| Bisphenols | Bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogues, are mainly used as precursors of epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics for food packaging coating, thermal papers, household appliances, and adhesives | |
| Phthalates | Phthalate esters (PAEs), are widely used as plasticizers in different types of products such as food packaging, personal care products, polyvinylchloride resins, construction materials, pesticide carriers and cosmetics, electronic equipment, and insect repellents, etc. | |
| Alkylphenols | Obtained after the degradation of alkylphenol ethoxylates, which are used in the production of plasticizers and emulsifiers, or as nonionic surfactants | |
| Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) | Utilized in a variety of applications including water-repellent coatings, stain-resistant fabrics, and firefighting foams | |
| Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) | Flame retardant compounds | Tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP) |
| Anti-inflammatory drugs | Diclofenac or ibuprofen | |
| Antibiotics | Macrolides, sulfonamides and quinolones |