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Emerging Pollutants as Chemical Additives in the Petroleum Industry: A Review of Functional Uses, Environmental Challenges and Sustainable Control Strategies

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  • Limin Wang

    (Research Institute of Safety and Environment Technology, China National Petroleum Corporation, Beijing 102206, China
    School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China)

  • Zi Long

    (Research Institute of Safety and Environment Technology, China National Petroleum Corporation, Beijing 102206, China)

  • Tao Gu

    (Research Institute of Safety and Environment Technology, China National Petroleum Corporation, Beijing 102206, China)

  • Feng Ju

    (School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China)

  • Huajun Zhen

    (School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
    Shanghai Environmental Protection Key Laboratory on Environmental Standard and Risk Management of Chemical Pollutants, Shanghai 200237, China
    State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, Shanghai 200237, China)

  • Hui Luan

    (Research Institute of Safety and Environment Technology, China National Petroleum Corporation, Beijing 102206, China)

  • Guangli Xiu

    (School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
    Shanghai Environmental Protection Key Laboratory on Environmental Standard and Risk Management of Chemical Pollutants, Shanghai 200237, China
    State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, Shanghai 200237, China)

  • Zhihe Tang

    (Research Institute of Safety and Environment Technology, China National Petroleum Corporation, Beijing 102206, China)

Abstract

Emerging pollutants (EPs) associated with the petroleum industry present considerable challenges to environmental management and sustainable development. To support sustainable development and improve the control of EPs in the petroleum industry, this review systematically examines the functional uses of EPs as chemical additives across the entire petroleum supply chain—from extraction and transportation to refining and product blending. It also summarizes the environmental emissions, health impacts, mitigation strategies, and current regulatory frameworks of EPs. In addition, some challenges have been found, namely unclear data on EPs in chemical additives, insufficient attention to high-risk areas, undefined health risks of mixing EPs, lack of green assessment of alternative technologies, and regional policy disparities, which collectively hinder the effective prevention and management ofEPs. In response, we propose future perspectives including enhanced screening and substitution of high-EP-risk additives, development of source-specific fingerprinting techniques, expanded monitoring of mixed contaminants and understudied regions, accelerated deployment of green technologies, and strengthened global cooperation under sustainability-oriented governance frameworks. This study underscores the necessity of integrated, science-based approaches to align petroleum industry practices with global sustainability goals. This review underscores the critical need for a proactive and integrated approach toward the sustainable development of the petroleum industry through the control of and reduction in EPs.

Suggested Citation

  • Limin Wang & Zi Long & Tao Gu & Feng Ju & Huajun Zhen & Hui Luan & Guangli Xiu & Zhihe Tang, 2025. "Emerging Pollutants as Chemical Additives in the Petroleum Industry: A Review of Functional Uses, Environmental Challenges and Sustainable Control Strategies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-31, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:19:p:8559-:d:1757107
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Muhammad Jawad Sajid & Zhang Yu & Syed Abdul Rehman, 2022. "The Coal, Petroleum, and Gas Embedded in the Sectoral Demand-and-Supply Chain: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-18, February.
    2. Eric Johnson & Carl Vadenbo, 2020. "Modelling Variation in Petroleum Products’ Refining Footprints," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-15, November.
    3. Hyejin Park & Kisok Kim, 2017. "Urinary Levels of 4-Nonylphenol and 4-t-Octylphenol in a Representative Sample of the Korean Adult Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-9, August.
    4. Jose Albiac & Elena Calvo & Encarna Esteban, 2024. "Review Paper: A Quarter of a Century of the European Water Framework Directive — The Slow Path Towards Sustainable Water Management," Water Economics and Policy (WEP), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 10(02), pages 1-23, June.
    5. Kun Zhou & Xingwang Ding & Jing Yang & Yanhui Hu & Yun Song & Minjian Chen & Rongli Sun & Tianyu Dong & Bo Xu & Xiumei Han & Keqin Wu & Xiaoling Zhang & Xinru Wang & Yankai Xia, 2018. "Metabolomics Reveals Metabolic Changes Caused by Low-Dose 4-Tert-Octylphenol in Mice Liver," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-15, November.
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