Getting a grip on environmental persistence – Irene Bramke, AstraZeneca

What happens to the chemicals we use in everyday life once they enter the environment?In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Irene Bramke, Senior Environmental Risk Assessor at AstraZeneca. Irene and I have a detailed discussion about persistence (how long it takes for chemicals to break down in the environment). With recent concerns around plastic pollution, PFAS 'forever chemicals', and broader sustainability goals, the persistence of chemicals in the environment has become one of the most urgent and pressing issues for policymakers and society.Irene and I discuss the science behind persistence, and how it relates to the risks chemicals might pose to people and the environment. We also talk about recent regulatory developments in Europe, and how these are reshaping the future of chemicals management. Our conversation covers:Irene's background and career journeyGrappling with complexity - insights from studying soils in an agrochemicals companyIndustry's participation in regulatory science - then vs nowIssues of environmental relevance in laboratory biodegradation testingThe evolving policy landscape for persistenceNon-degradable chemicals and the legacy P/vP criteriaIn the eye of the beholder - the meaning of word 'persistent'Implications of new policies - the PMT/vPvM hazard classesA troubling outlook - data gaps, transformation products, and questionable impact assessments?Reflections on OECD simulation tests as tools for persistence assessmentsInsights from AstraZeneca's Ecopharmacovigilance programmeThe importance of data quality in monitoring efforts - the CREED approachShifting regulatory paradigms - hazard assessment vs risk assessment, and the need for continuing dialogueCan we get better at assessing persistence? High-throughput and predictive methodsPBT/PMT assessment of active pharmaceutical ingredients - ScienceDirectEnvironmental fate and effects assessment of human pharmaceuticals: lessons learnt from regulatory data | Environmental Sciences EuropeOvercoming challenges and advancing (bio)degradation guidelines: OECD TG309 revisited - ECETOCAstraZeneca - EcoPharmacoVigilance DashboardUsing environmental concentration exposure datasets in environmental assessments: The development of Criteria for Reporting and Evaluating Exposure Datasets (CREED): Integrated Environmental Assessment and ManagementHOMEPAGE - imi-premierModernizing assessment of persistence and transformation products of chemicals – from new tools to implementation (23-October 24, 2025): Overview · HIFIS and Helmholtz Events (Indico)Visit my website for more content and insights www.embarkchemical.com