The uptake kinetics of 27 emerging pollutants on the polar C18 Chemcatcher have been investigated. This investigation determined the sampling rates of 20 compounds, including 16 endocrine disruptors and 4 pharmaceuticals, which were used as overall pollution indicators. Calibrations were completed in a 50-L flow-through microcosm with continuous renewal of tap water spiked with approximately 3 μg/L of each pollutant and with sampling times at 1, 3, 6 and 12 h and 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Exponential regressions for the accumulation kinetics were plotted to confirm the maximum linear uptake times for each molecule using the half time of equilibrium (t1/2) criteria. Of the compounds tested, 17 were accumulated linearly for up to 14 or 21 days with an R2 above 0.98 for linear correlations. The evaluation of the release kinetics of a C18 Chemcatcher spiked with 20 deuterated compounds identified 3 potential performance reference compounds (PRCs) with exponential desorption rates showing relatively good isotropic exchange. Highlights Uptake kinetics of 27 emerging pollutants were investigated on the polar C18 Chemcatcher. Sampling rates of 20 endocrine disruptors were determined. 17 compounds accumulated linearly up to 14 or 21 days. 3 potential PRCs on C18 Chemcatcher were identified.