In this episode I speak with Andrew Johnson, Environmental Research Scientist at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and Visiting Professor at Brunel University.

Andrew and I have a fascinating discussion about the current state of scientific research and public discourse on chemicals, and how a different approach might ultimately lead to better outcomes for wildlife.

Our conversation covers:

• Andrew's background and research interests
• What's wrong with the way we do research on chemicals?
• Endocrine disruption and uncovering population-relevant effects
• Insights from 30 years of monitoring data on macroinvertebrate diversity in English rivers
• The issue of combined sewer overflows
• Why monitoring data is so valuable, and so underappreciated
• Problems with the Water Framework Directive
• Risk assessment of chemicals and the mixture assessment factor (MAF)
• Are we prioritising the wrong things?
• Perverse incentives in research
• Science in the media and improving public discourse
• Advice for early career scientists

Zinc and Copper Have the Greatest Relative Importance for River Macroinvertebrate Richness at a National Scale | Environmental Science & Technology

Review of the Classification Framework for Ecological Status/Potential under the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) England and Wales Regulations - WT15168

Are we going about chemical risk assessment for the aquatic environment the wrong way? | Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry | Oxford Academic

How to be a Better Scientist | Andrew Johnson, John Sumpter | Taylor & Francis

Visit my website for more content and insights www.embarkchemical.com

In this episode I am joined by Todd Gouin of TG Environmental Research. Todd and I have a far-reaching discussion about the science and policy of chemicals in the environment.

Our conversation covers:

• Todd's career journey and the role of Don Mackay
• The concept of environmental persistence
• Tools for chemicals management and the evolving policy landscape
• Exposure assessment and risk assessment - the importance of considering exposure in addressing chemical risks
• How sustainability is changing the way we look at chemicals
• How science is produced, and communicated in the media
• How well do our tools fit what is happening in the environment?
• Biodiversity and the roles of chemical and non-chemical stressors
• Changes to policy around persistence - storing up problems for the future?
• Why biodegradability is important for consumer-facing sectors
• Persistence in the discussion on product circularity and innovation
• What's at stake? Balancing costs to society
• The need for multidisciplinary expertise and the role of industry

Recorded on 12th March 2025

Environmental Fate and Exposure - TG Environmental Research

In Memoriam: Don Mackay

Zinc and Copper Have the Greatest Relative Importance for River Macroinvertebrate Richness at a National Scale | Environmental Science & Technology

A review of DEB theory in assessing toxic effects of mixtures - ScienceDirect

Why environmental persistence should be a top priority for safe and sustainable products

The Wizard and the Prophet: Two Remarkable Scientists and Their Dueling Visions to Shape Tomorrow's World

Visit my website for more content and insights www.embarkchemical.com

In this episode I share an article discussing the new hazard classes under the EU CLP regulation, and what this might mean for chemicals management more broadly.

As a reminder, the new CLP hazard classes are:

• Endocrine disruptors (ED) for human health and the environment;
• Persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT); very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB); and
• Persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT); very persistent and very mobile (vPvM).

I also share some insights on what has been happening since the article was published.

Read the original article: How should we expect the new hazards under EU CLP to play out in practice? — Embark Chemical Consulting

Events I attended in May:

SETAC Europe 35th Annual Meeting

Designing for Circularity in Biodegradable Chemicals and Polymers | Sustainable Chemicals and Materials Manufacturing Hub

CHEMUK 2025 EXPO

Latest developments on the new CLP hazard classes:

ECHA clarification on deadlines - New hazard classes 2023 - ECHA

ECHA guidance on the new CLP hazards - Guidance on the Application of the CLP Criteria - Part 4/5: Environmental hazards and additional hazards

Persistence Assessment Tool (PAT) preprint - Developing a weight-of-evidence methodology for persistence assessment of substances in the environment | Earth, Space, and Environmental Chemistry | ChemRxiv | Cambridge Open Engage

ECHA webinar and Q&A - Events - ECHA

New hazard classes added to IUCLID - All news - ECHA

C&L Inventory moves over to ECHA CHEM - All news - ECHA

View the latest proposals for harmonised CLP classifications - Registry of CLH intentions until outcome - ECHA

CLH proposal for trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) - Registry of CLH intentions until outcome - ECHA

Visit my website for more content and insights www.embarkchemical.com