Investigating the fate of chemicals in the environment – Gabriel Sigmund, Wageningen University & Research

I speak with Gabriel Sigmund, Assistant Professor at Wageningen University and Research, and board member of the International Panel on Chemical Pollution (IPCP).We discuss:Gabriel’s background and research interestsHow the fate of charged organic compounds differs from neutral compoundsThe issue of mobility in the environment and the concern around persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT) substancesComplex interactions controlling sorption and other fate processes in soilThe ongoing importance of laboratory experiments in the age of AIData availability and data quality challenges for persistence and mobility assessmentsImplications of the new PMT/vPvM hazard classes under the EU CLP regulationSimplification and essential use concepts for chemicals managementThe issue of extreme persistence and the concern around trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)Pesticides as a potential source of TFA to the environmentHow differences in worldviews influences the debate on chemicalsActivities of the SETAC Persistence Science Interest GroupApologies for some sound issues on this one. Correction: During the discussion on TFA I commented that I had seen evidence in a presentation by Freeling that concentrations in plant samples had apparently increased four-fold between 2010 and 2020. Having revisited the published work (link below), the approximately four-fold increase was reported over the observation period 1989-2020.  Sorption and Mobility of Charged Organic Compounds: How to Confront and Overcome Limitations in Their Assessment | Environmental Science & Technology The Global Threat from the Irreversible Accumulation of Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) | Environmental Science & TechnologyPesticides can be a substantial source of trifluoroacetate (TFA) to water resources - ScienceDirect‘Alarming’ increase in levels of forever chemical TFA found in European wines | Pfas | The GuardianLevels and Temporal Trends of Trifluoroacetate (TFA) in Archived Plants: Evidence for Increasing Emissions of Gaseous TFA Precursors over the Last Decades | Environmental Science & Technology LettersPollution is Colonialism - book by Max Liboiron (2021)SETAC Persistence Science Interest GroupWebinar recording: Addressing Extreme Persistence – Identification, Behavior and Management of “Forever Chemicals” Beyond PFASUpcoming webinar: How to increase understanding of microbial inocula in biodegradation testing? SETAC Europe 35th Annual MeetingIn Memoriam: John Parsons Themed collection: Transformation Products and Mixtures – Environmental Science: Processes & ImpactsVisit my website for more content and insights www.embarkchemical.com