Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Product (PPCP) Pollution

This track focuses on the environmental presence, persistence, and ecological effects of pharmaceuticals and personal care products. It includes antibiotics, hormones, analgesics, cosmetics, and disinfectants that enter ecosystems through wastewater discharge and improper disposal. Researchers will discuss their transformation in natural systems, bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms, and potential development of antimicrobial resistance. The track also highlights advanced treatment technologies for wastewater, including adsorption, membrane filtration, and advanced oxidation processes. Emphasis is placed on monitoring trace-level contaminants and understanding their long-term ecological and human health impacts.