The chemical experiment: the hidden cost of convenience

Presented by ANU College of Law, Governance & Policy

This presentation discusses the pervasive use of chemicals in modern society and research efforts to combat the urgent health threat posed by 21st-century synthetic chemicals.

Alarmingly, children across the planet (including in Australia) are born with hazardous substances in their bodies, impacting development and long-term health. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) serve as a case study for understanding the broader issue of chemical production and its hidden environmental costs.

PFAS, introduced in the 1940s, remained in use for decades before their adverse health effects and persistence in the environment were realized. Current Australian and international regulations focus on a small subset of PFAS, but thousands of variants exist with limited data on their production or health impacts.

This talk will examine the presence of PFAS in the Australian environment, including analysis methods such as targeted LC-QqQ-MS and non-targeted analysis (NTA) using high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF). A particular focus will be placed on the challenges of detecting and analyzing PFAS in biological tissues, which is crucial for understanding human exposure and health risks.

The discussion will also cover the environmental sources of PFAS in Australia, including wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and novel sources like warehouse fires and high-performance motor vehicles.

About the speaker

is currently an Associate Professor of Environmental Science & Analytical Chemistry at the University of Melbourne (Australia) and chief investigator at the Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants (ALEC). Brad’s research focusses on assessing the risk to public health and the environment from pollution, focussing on synthetic per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), microplastics and flame retardants as well as advanced mass spectrometry techniques.

Brad is passionate about industry-engaged, conducting applied and fundamental research to address real-world problems. Brad has published over 75 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters that have attracted >7300 citations and an h-index of 38. His work is published top environmental science journals that includes Environmental Science and Technology, Journal of Hazardous Materials, Environmental International, Water Research amongst others. Previously, Brad was the Environmental Science degree senior program manager at RMIT University and has held postdoctoral positions at Imperial College London and the University of Arizona.

COVID protocols

The ANU strongly encourages you to keep a mask with you at all times (for use when COVID-19 safe behaviours are not practicable) and to be respectful of colleagues, students and visitors who may wish to continue to wear one. Please continue to practice good hygiene. If you are unwell, please stay home. The ACT government’s COVID Smart behaviours can be accessed .

This seminar presentation is a dual-delivery event. Registration is not required for in-person attendance as neither the ANU nor ACT Health conduct contact tracing.

If you require accessibility accommodations or a visitor Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan please email regnet.communications@anu.edu.au.

Image credit: AI generated image of water droplets lit in lurid colours, suggesting chemical contamination, by , from , used under .