Chemicals and compounds that have only recently been identified as potential threats to the environment and are not yet widely regulated by national or international law are known as emerging pollutants (EPs). They are classified as 'emerging', not because the contaminants themselves are new, but rather because of the rising level of concern. Awareness of the presence of EPs in drinking water and the aquatic environment is increasing among both the scientific community and the general public as analytical methods for detection of EPs improve and pharmaceutical use continues to grow rapidly.