Overview of Treatment Techniques for Parabens and Phenolic Compounds in Water

Abstract

The frequent occurrence of parabens and phenolic compounds in drinking water sources has become a trending environmental and public health concern due to their complex physical and chemical characteristics, persistent nature, ability to interfere with the normal functioning of vital body hormones, and their tendency to bypass conventional water treatment techniques. Over the last decade, research focus has shifted to the development of efficient and eco-friendly abatement technologies that can address this severe environmental and public health concern. This study provides an overview of the progress made in treating parabens and phenolics in drinking water sources by evaluating physical, chemical, biological, and integrated treatment methods, along with their drawbacks. Adsorption, membrane filtration, and advanced oxidation processes are some of the remediation strategies that have successfully removed these trace and persistent compounds. However, some factors like matrix interferences, stability of the materials, reusability, cost, and energy intensity, as well as the generation of secondary metabolites, continue to frustrate field applications. While nature-based treatment strategies such as biofiltration, bioremediation, and phytoremediation have shown sustainable remediation, their efficiency requires intense optimization to improve kinetics and increase the activities of microorganisms. This review recommends that future studies should be centered on the development of sustainable treatment technologies that will improve the mechanistic understanding of degradation pathways and products. Also, an integrated approach that will support eco-friendly water treatment methods for emerging and endocrine-disrupting compounds should be prioritized.