Coordinated Control of Emerging Contaminants and Conventional Pollutants in China: Emission Sources, Technological Pathways, and Multi-Stakeholder Governance

Emerging contaminants (ECs) and conventional pollutants (CPs) coexist and interact with each other in the environment. Their control requires a systematic approach, necessitating the prompt initiation of research on a coordinated control strategy. This study demonstrates that ECs and CPs exhibit differences in their pollution profiles and treatability and present a higher potential for combined environmental risks. These findings indicate mutual influences that may affect their respective removal efficiencies. Key emission sources requiring coordinated control are identified, including chemical manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, the textile industry, centralized pollution treatment facilities, and electronic equipment manufacturing. To steadily advance coordinated control efforts, this study proposes milestones for the coordinated control of ECs and CPs, with the goal of making the combined risk of ECs and CPs to human health and ecological systems negligible by 2050. It also analyzes the feasibility of coordinated control technologies, specifically noting that many of these technologies can remove more than one category of EC while treating CPs. The study further proposes technological innovation pathways encompassing risk screening and assessment, life-cycle-based risk control, demonstration and promotion, and regional coordination, along with corresponding analyses of challenges and assessment methodologies. Finally, by analyzing the current situation and challenges to the support system, this study suggests establishing a multi-stakeholder governance strategy centered on legal frameworks, institutional mechanisms, and standards, supported by government leadership, technological support, corporate responsibility, and public participation to build a supportive and sustainability- enabling system.