The article "Chasing ‘Emerging’ Contaminants: An Endless Journey toward Environmental Health" by Peng Gao explores the ongoing challenge of identifying and mitigating emerging contaminants in the environmental landscape. The author, an analytical chemist and exposure scientist, highlights the relentless cycle of industrial innovation introducing new chemicals, which then become subjects of intense scientific scrutiny. This process involves analytical chemists quantifying their presence, environmental scientists studying their fate, exposure scientists deciphering pathways of interaction with biological systems, and toxicologists and epidemiologists assessing potential health effects. However, the focus on emerging contaminants often overlooks the significant impact of legacy contaminants, which include naturally occurring and persistent organic pollutants. The article emphasizes the need for a holistic approach that addresses both emerging and legacy contaminants, advocating for green chemistry principles, regulatory reforms, and advanced technologies like machine learning and omics to develop safer alternatives and prevent harmful substitutions. The author calls for a proactive stance in environmental stewardship, integrating innovative strategies to balance human progress with ecological integrity.The article "Chasing ‘Emerging’ Contaminants: An Endless Journey toward Environmental Health" by Peng Gao explores the ongoing challenge of identifying and mitigating emerging contaminants in the environmental landscape. The author, an analytical chemist and exposure scientist, highlights the relentless cycle of industrial innovation introducing new chemicals, which then become subjects of intense scientific scrutiny. This process involves analytical chemists quantifying their presence, environmental scientists studying their fate, exposure scientists deciphering pathways of interaction with biological systems, and toxicologists and epidemiologists assessing potential health effects. However, the focus on emerging contaminants often overlooks the significant impact of legacy contaminants, which include naturally occurring and persistent organic pollutants. The article emphasizes the need for a holistic approach that addresses both emerging and legacy contaminants, advocating for green chemistry principles, regulatory reforms, and advanced technologies like machine learning and omics to develop safer alternatives and prevent harmful substitutions. The author calls for a proactive stance in environmental stewardship, integrating innovative strategies to balance human progress with ecological integrity.