RESEARCH SEMINAR BY ASSOC. PROF. DR. FOON YIN LAI: SUSTAINABLE WASTEWATER REUSE AND EMERGING CONTAMINANTS

We were delighted to welcome Assoc. Prof. Dr. Foon Yin Lai, researcher from POP's Lab, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Sweden), to CARE for an insightful research seminar on the sustainability of wastewater reuse and the challenges posed by Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs), such as PFAS, pharmaceuticals, flame retardants, plastic additives, and others. Her presentation addressed a crucial question: How can we ensure safer water reuse in the presence of unregulated emerging contaminants?

Drawing on a comprehensive meta-analysis of approximately 15,000 data entries from Swedish wastewater studies, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Foon Yin Lai, together with Dr. Uzair Khan and colleagues, identified and prioritized key chemical contaminants that may pose ecological risks and health threats to both the environment and humans. These include pharmaceuticals such as diclofenac and amoxicillin, as well as personal care compounds like DEET.

The study introduced a holistic quantitative framework to assess and rank CECs based on ecological risk, environmental hazards, and potential human health impacts. The results provide valuable guidance for policymakers and researchers to focus on high-priority contaminants and support risk-based evaluation and regulation toward sustainable wastewater reuse.

We sincerely thank Assoc. Prof. Dr. Foon Yin Lai for visiting CARE and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology - Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (HCMUT - VNU-HCM), and for the engaging discussions on future governance and risk assessment in water reuse.