The growing concern over pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) as environmental contaminants has led to a rise in bibliometric studies. The scholarly landscape surrounding PPCPs is investigated throughout this review article, with a particular concentration on bibliometric analyses to clarify important trends, research hotspots, and the changing discourse in science. The paper provides insights into the global distribution of research, prolific authors, frequently cited works, and collaborative networks in this field by synthesizing findings from multiple bibliometric studies. In addition, the review critically evaluates methodological strategies applied in bibliometric analyses concerning PPCPs, providing a thorough overview of the field's current state of knowledge and suggesting directions for further research. As concerns regarding PPCPs’ environmental impact grow, this bibliometric review contributes to the understanding of the knowledge structure, gaps, and dynamics within the scholarly landscape of emerging contaminants, facilitating informed decision-making and guiding future research endeavours in this critical area. This bibliometric review adds to our understanding of the gaps, dynamics, and knowledge structure in the scholarly landscape of emerging contaminants, which helps to guide future research endeavours in this crucial area and facilitates informed decision-making as concerns about the environmental impact of PPCPs grow.