This presentation will discuss the pervasive use of chemicals in modern society and research to combat the urgent health threat posed by 21^st century synthetic chemicals. Alarmingly, children across the planet (including in Australia) are born with a range of known hazardous substances within their bodies, potentially causing a range of impacts on their development and long-term health. Per and polyfluoroakyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic chemicals and will be used as a case study to understand the broader issue of chemical manufacture, innovative and hidden costs of ‘unknown’ chemicals in the environment. PFAS, a class of synthetic chemicals introduced into various applications since the 1940s, remained in use for decades until the global realization of their pervasive presence and associated adverse health effects in exposed individuals. While current Australian and international environmental regulations primarily focus on a limited subset of PFAS (typically 3-25), it's crucial to acknowledge that thousands of PFAS variants were manufactured, with most lacking publicly available data regarding their production, usage, or impact on public health. This talk will focus on PFAS in the Australian environment, including methods of analysis for targeted measurements with LC-QqQ-MS and non-target analysis (NTA) with high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF). Followed by an examination of PFAS in the Australian urban environmental that includes WWTPs and novel sources such as chemical warehouse fires and high-performance motor cars.

About the Speaker

Dr Brad Clarke is currently a Senior Lecturer in 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 65 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters that have attracted >5000 citations and an h-index of 32. 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.