Abstract: Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), due to its abundant species, wide applications and complicated properties, are considered as a type of emerging persistent pollutants, which is harmful and can be detected in various environments. Because of large rural population in China, PPCPs in rural areas are also used increasingly and frequently with their economic growth and improved living standards. Hence, in this paper, the classification, property and effect of common PPCPs in rural wastewater was introduced. Analysis show that PPCPs in rural wastewater were mainly from livestock and poultry farming, and human-derived medicine, as well as daily cleaning and care products. Pollution levels of antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and some personal care products were summarized. PPCPs concentration difference in rural wastewater, as well as their removal and influencing factors in rural wastewater facilities (constructed wetland, lagoon, activated sludge), were also discussed in different regions at home and abroad. Moreover, the future study trend on PPCPs in rural wastewater was proposed in an attempt to provide a reference for the prevention and control of PPCPs pollution in rural wastewater.

Key words: rural wastewater, pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), source, pollution level, influencing factors