Removal of emerging micropollutants originating from pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in water and wastewater by advanced oxidation processes: A review

Because of their intrinsic potential to produce metabolic effects on the human body at smaller concentrations, pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are a distinct category of emerging environmental pollutants. Due to their widespread intake, limited metabolic capacity, and indecorous disposal, PPCPs pollutants are commonly found in water supplies and wastewater treatment plants. If partly oxidized PPCPs are introduced into wastewater treatment plants, they will disrupt biological wastewater treatment procedures. As a result, traditional wastewater treatment plants are inadequate for PPCPs elimination. PPCPs have been effectively eliminated using advanced oxidation methods such as electrochemical oxidation, ultrasonication, and ionizing radiation. This review summarizes recent studies on the removal of PPCPs by advanced oxidation processes, as well as knowledge useful for applying these processes in water and wastewater treatment. The degradation of different classes of PPCPs has been reviewed to analyze (i) significant factors — initial concentration of PPCPs, ultrasonication power, radiation dose, current density, temperature, pH, time, and effect of catalysts; (ii) degradation efficiency of the processes when applied in combination with other advanced oxidation methods; (iii) key factors that affect the removal of PPCPs based on their properties. In addition, suggestions for future studies on advanced oxidation methods and their limitations were discussed. Overall, this review could aid in providing an in-depth understanding of the current research trends concerning PPCPs and advanced oxidation processes.