Do we need to be concerned about this new chemical?
Most of the 50 million chemicals found or produced in the world have not been tested to determine their effect on human health and the environment (1). This proactive program aims to keep a watchful eye on the international literature for reports of new chemicals of concern (CoC), and to initiate programs in Melbourne to investigate priority chemicals in the environment and, if necessary, to understand their impacts on human health and the environment. The prioritisation of chemicals of concern is based upon protecting the ecological values identified in Melbourne’s Healthy Waterway Strategy 2018 (HWS) i.e. platypus, fish, macroinvertebrates, frogs, birds and vegetation. Chemicals warranting further investigation will be incorporated into relevant A3P projects.
This project aims to:
An initial international review of CoC was completed in 2019. Two PhD students are now focussing on measuring priority chemicals in waterways across Melbourne.
RMIT A3P: Vincent Pettigrove, Kathryn Hassell, Claudette Kellar, Monica Tewman, Dayanthi Nugegoda
MW: Trish Grant, Leonie Williams, Adrian Mazzarello, Sam Costello, Sophie Bourgues, Alison Rickard, Nick Crosbie, Rhys Coleman, Slobodanka Stojkovic
EPA: Paul Leahy, Minna Saaristo
Expected Completion: Report late 2019, updated annually to 2023
Contact: vincent.pettigrove@rmit.edu.au or 9925 7608 or kathryn.hassell@rmit.edu.au on 9925 4647
Reference 1.https://www.wired.com/2009/09/humans-have-made-found-or-used-over-50-million-unique-chemicals
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.