Article Summary
Environmental pollution is becoming increasingly complex with emerging pollutants such as microplastics and nanoplastics posing growing challenges due to the limitations of conventional treatment technologies in detecting and removing them.

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By: Noor Eszereen Juferi

 

SERDANG, 11 September – Environmental pollution is becoming increasingly complex with emerging pollutants such as microplastics and nanoplastics posing growing challenges due to the limitations of conventional treatment technologies in detecting and removing them.

 

Director of the International Institute of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences (I-AQUAS), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Prof. Dr. Ahmad Zaharin Aris, said existing technologies had become increasingly effective and cost-efficient at reducing or removing conventional pollutants such as heavy metals from water sources.

 

“The main challenge today is the thousands of new chemicals being released into the environment because of industrial development and the widespread use of chemical-based products.

 

“In the past, discussions largely centred on conventional pollutants such as heavy metals. Today, technology has advanced to the point where these pollutants can be effectively reduced or removed from water,” he said.

 

He added that the challenge had intensified significantly, with society now facing emerging pollutants that had previously received little attention, including microplastics and a wide range of chemical substances.

 

“Existing technologies cannot necessarily remove every type of pollutant because each technology is designed to address specific contaminants,” he said.

 

He said this after delivering a keynote address titled “The Molecule Remembers: Environmental Forensics from Source Attribution to the Molecular Footprint of Exposure” at the International Conference on Environmental Forensics 2026 (iENFORCE2026) held recently.

 

Prof. Dr. Ahmad Zaharin, whose expertise lies in hydrochemistry and geochemistry, said concerns over emerging pollutants were growing as certain chemicals could potentially have indirect effects on human health.

 

He added that global research was increasingly investigating potential links between exposure to certain chemicals and various health concerns, including hormonal disruption and impairment on human development.

 

“This is one of the world’s major concerns today because some chemicals can function as triggers or endocrine disruptors, interfering with the body’s hormonal system.”

 

“That is why we need a deeper understanding of the types of pollutants present in the environment and how they can lead to human exposure,” he said.

 

Meanwhile, he said his research laboratory at UPM had been studying emerging pollutants for approximately 12 years.

 

He said the research had progressed through the development of detection methods, data collection and collaboration with relevant ministries and agencies.

 

“Over this period, we have conducted studies nationwide and identified hotspots to obtain data on the current state of environmental pollution.

 

“At the same time, we have supported relevant ministries and agencies in their monitoring efforts by providing up-to-date data that can inform policy development and guide appropriate action,” he said.

 

He said UPM’s research findings had also been shared with relevant ministries to raise awareness of emerging pollutants and highlight the importance of incorporating them into regulatory frameworks.

 

“The biggest challenge for scientists is translating research findings into information that the public and policymakers can understand. Scientific terminology and technical concepts can sometimes be difficult for the public to grasp.

 

“Our responsibility is to ensure that research findings are translated into policies that benefit society,” he said.

 

Several UPM research findings have also been shared with relevant ministries to ensure that emerging pollutants receive due attention in policy and legislative development, particularly in efforts to monitor drinking water quality.

 

Microplastics Move Through the Food Chain

 

Prof. Dr. Ahmad Zaharin said concerns over microplastics were increasingly shifting towards nanoplastics, which are significantly smaller and difficult to detect with the naked eye.

 

He explained that their tiny size allowed these particles to move more easily through aquatic environments and enter the food chain, raising concerns about their potential impact on human health.

 

“More concerning is when they enter the food chain. Our studies have detected microplastics in small organisms such as water fleas, which are consumed by fish.

 

“When fish consume these organisms, the pollutants may accumulate along the food chain, eventually reaching humans through the consumption of contaminated fish,” he said.

 

He said this process demonstrated how environmental pollutants could be transferred between organisms and potentially reach humans through the food chain, highlighting the need for more comprehensive approaches to pollution management.

 

He stressed that efforts to address pollution should go beyond treatment technologies and prioritise preventive measures.

 

“As scientists, we must avoid making exaggerated claims that any single technology can solve all pollution problems.

 

“One technology may be effective in removing one type of pollutant, but that does not necessarily mean it can remove another. No single technology can effectively address every type of pollution.

 

“That is why the most important approach is to tackle pollution at its source,” he said.

 

Reducing Reliance on Plastic

 

Prof. Dr. Ahmad Zaharin said society plays a crucial role in reducing pollution, as consumer demand influence production.

 

“The problem begins with us as a society. If demand persists, production will continue.

 

“If plastic consumption continues to rise, industries will keep producing plastic. Some of these products will eventually become waste and gradually break down into microplastics over time,” he said.

 

He said consumers need to make more responsible choices by reducing their reliance on non-essential products.

 

Citing bottled drinking water as an example, he explained that its convenience and widespread availability had made it a popular choice, further driving demand for and production of plastic bottles.

 

“If alternatives are available and a product is not essential, we can reduce our use of it.

 

“The most fundamental solution is to reduce our dependence on materials that contribute to pollution,” he said.

 

He said the development of alternative materials, such as biodegradable plastics, could be considered as part of the solution, although factors such as price and affordability needed to be taken into consideration.

 

He added that providing consumers with access to environmentally friendly alternatives at affordable prices was essential to encourage more sustainable consumption habits.

 

Enforcement Must Go Hand in Hand with Public Awareness

 

Meanwhile, he stressed that enforcement measures must be complemented by public awareness to ensure that efforts to address pollution were implemented effectively.

 

“Enforcement is important, but it is not enough if society does not understand the importance of protecting the environment.

 

“If public awareness increases and demand for plastic products declines, industries will also need to adapt their production practices,” he said.

 

He added that many developed countries had introduced stricter regulations on plastic use while simultaneously raising public awareness of the effects of pollution on the environment and human well-being.

 

According to him, environmental issues should not be viewed in isolation, as they are closely interconnected with social and economic factors.

 

“When water becomes polluted, more advanced treatment technologies are needed, requiring greater government investment. If pollution affects human health, healthcare costs will also rise.

 

“That is why environmental issues must be viewed from multiple perspectives, as they are directly linked to society and the economy,” he said.

 

He also emphasised that pollution does not recognise national borders and could spread from one country to another through air and water. He said the most practical approach was to minimise exposure risks through lifestyle changes and more responsible consumption.

 

“We need to return to the basics by protecting the environment and reducing our dependence on unnecessary materials.

 

“We may not be able to eliminate every pollutant because pollution takes many forms and can cross national borders.

 

“However, if we could reduce the risks, we should take it. If we do not need a plastic container, we should avoid using one,” he said.

 

Date of Input: 14/10/2026 | Updated: 21/10/2026 | hairul_nizam