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In this episode I speak with Joanna Gavins, who is a professor of English Language and Literature at the University of Sheffield. Joanna and I discuss the language we use and how this influences the way we think, feel and act in relation to choices we make, the environment, and chemicals.  We start off by discussing the work Joanna has been doing at the Bio-based and Biodegradable Industries Association (BBIA) on how to effectively communicate information about sustainability to consumers. We also delve into our complex relationship with nature, and how this is influenced by language. Our conversation then moves onto chemicals. We do a deep dive into the language surrounding chemicals in modern discourse, and how this influences public perception and emerging policy. We talk about the issue of chemicals in the environment, how this relates to us, and how we might get better at talking - and thinking - about these issues. I hope you will find this discussion as fascinating as I did! Plastic: Unwrapped podcast - Plastic Planet | The University of Sheffield Player Human/Nature podcast | The University of Sheffield Player White paper: Growing the UK’s Modern Industrial Bioeconomy Effective Communication to Advance the Modern Industrial Bioeconomy - report Just Earth: How a Fairer World Will Save the Planet - Tony Juniper Vanished: An Unnatural History of Extinction - Sadiah Qureshi Ecolinguistics: Language, Ecology and the Stories We Live By – Arran Stibbe Support the show

Happy 2026, and welcome to Chemical Journeys Season 2! In this episode, I speak with Dr. Fola Ogungbemi, Senior Expert in Product Compliance at Currenta. Fola and I talk about his career journey so far, from student in ecotoxicology to senior regulatory consultant. We discuss experiences of early career scientists finding their next steps after completing a PhD, adapting to working in different sectors, the importance of staying open for continuous growth and learning, and the value of mentorship and support along the way.  Fola also shares some of his personal experiences of relocating to multiple cities, finding friends and community, and his adventures as a DJ. We talk about Fola's journey with the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), and that part that the organisation has played in his development. Fola also reflects on his Christian Faith and how this shapes his outlook and approach to life. Fola Ogungbemi, PhD | LinkedIn DJ with a PhD (@djfolaflo) • Instagram photos and videos SETAC Europe 36th Annual Meeting Support the show

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Watze de Wolf.    Watze has had a long and accomplished career working as a scientist and manager in both industry and regulatory settings, including 15 years working at the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).  We have a wide-ranging discussion about his experiences and observations of how chemicals management has evolved over recent decades, and attempt to provide a diagnosis for the current situation and outlook for the years ahead.    This includes: Watze’s background, career journey and people he worked withThe tension between the uncertainty and complexity of science vs the need for clear and predictable regulationThe importance of communication and meeting your audience where they areContrasting sensitivities and drivers of behaviour in different industriesThe shift away from risk-based approaches, and the rise of persistenceThe importance of dialogue and the value of organisations like the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC)Understanding EU regulations as complex systems Experiences with REACH dossiers, from both industry and regulator perspectivesWhat it’s like for early career scientists at ECHADiscussions and experiences from the ECHA Member State CommitteeThoughts on the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR)What a new harmonised classification of ethanol means for its ongoing use as a disinfectantThe essential use concept and how it could re-define chemicals management in EuropeImportance of EU Member State participation, and the impact of Brexit on regulatory discussionsRegrettable restrictions and thoughts on the ongoing group-wide restriction of PFASThoughts on the overall direction of travel, broader technological and societal shifts, and the impact on science  Watze's website: rMSC.fi – rMSC Member State Committee - ECHA Trifluoroacetic Acid in the Environment: Consensus, Gaps, and Next Steps | Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry | Oxford Academic Persistence Science Interest Group Pushes Forward with Global Collaboration and New Initiatives Literature review on micro‐ and nanoplastic release from food contact materials during their use | EFSA Reflecting on 40 years of regulatory developments in Europe – Peter Fisk — Embark Chemical Consulting Visit my website for more content and insights www.embarkchemical.com Support the show

In this episode I speak with Dr. Steven Brennan, co-founder and CEO of Foresight. Foresight is a software platform that helps organizations to make sense of complex and fast moving chemical regulations, so they can always be ready for what's coming next. Steven and I have a nice conversation that shows how he turned his years of regulatory experience into a software solution that solves a key challenge - how to get access to key insights faster to understand and manage regulatory change.  Listen to this conversation if you want to get a look into the world of startups and software as a solution (SaaS) from a chemical regulatory point of view. We also talk about aspects of building and growing a business, and some reflections on life as founders and keeping everything in balance.  Our conversation covers: Steven's background and career journeyThe story behind Foresight - identifying an industry need, and developing a solutionFeatures of Foresight - how the tool delivers advanced regulatory insightsApplications and limitations of AI in chemicals regulationREACH Article 129 - Member State safeguard clauseWhat kinds of customers are using Foresight?What process and considerations go into developing new features?Building the company - from startup to commercialisationThe customer buyer journeySteven's work as a co-opted member of the ECHA Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC)Steven and Chris swap stories about life as founders Follow the link to find out more about Foresight and start your free trial: Foresight | The future of chemical policy monitoring Visit my website for more content and insights www.embarkchemical.com Support the show

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 methods PBT/PMT assessment of active pharmaceutical ingredients - ScienceDirect Environmental fate and effects assessment of human pharmaceuticals: lessons learnt from regulatory data | Environmental Sciences Europe Overcoming challenges and advancing (bio)degradation guidelines: OECD TG309 revisited - ECETOC AstraZeneca - EcoPharmacoVigilance Dashboard Using environmental concentration exposure datasets in environmental assessments: The development of Criteria for Reporting and Evaluating Exposure Datasets (CREED): Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management HOMEPAGE - imi-premier Modernizing 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 Support the show

In this episode I speak with Dr Katherine Santizo, Programme Manager of Cefic's Long-range Research Initiative (LRI).  Since 1999, Cefic-LRI has funded over 250 projects (totaling approximately €90 million) to advance the scientific assessment of the safety of chemicals, and to improve understanding of potential health and environmental risks. Tune in to hear first-hand from Katherine about the exciting work that Cefic-LRI does, and how this is helping to deliver progress in chemicals assessment science. Our conversation covers: What is Cefic-LRI? The LRI mission, and what makes it differentHow it works - the LRI process from ideation to publicationsTools and solutions to address key regulatory challengesKatherine's background and career journeyWorking across disciplines - integrating environmental science with human healthReflecting on the 25 year anniversary of Cefic-LRIUpcoming research projects: new approach methodologies (NAMs), mobility and biodegradationOther hot topics in chemicals safety researchCefic-LRI's contribution to persistence assessment science Cefic-Lri – Long-Range Research Initiative Determining the water solubility of difficult-to-test substances: A tutorial review - ScienceDirect Cefic-LRI workshop highlights advances in chemical assessments aligned with evolving regulations – Cefic-Lri LRI Marks 25 Years of Advancing Chemical Safety Assessments – Cefic-Lri Cefic-LRI 25th Anniversary Commemorative Book New funding opportunities for research on NAMs, biodegradation testing and mobility assessment – Cefic-Lri ECO52 – Bioavailability, complex substances and overall persistence (BCOP): three themes to deliver a step-change in persistence assessments – Cefic-Lri Developing a weight-of-evidence methodology for persistence assessment of substances in the environment | Earth, Space, and Environmental Chemistry | ChemRxiv | Cambridge Open Engage Visit my website for more content and insights www.embarkchemical.com Support the show

In this episode I speak with Dr Anna Zhenova of Green Rose Chemistry. Green Rose Chemistry are a mission-driven consultancy applying the principles of green chemistry to help organisations to develop more sustainable products and processes. Our conversation covers: What does Green Rose Chemistry do?Green chemistry as a grass roots movement - the need for education and champions within organisationsHow different sectors are at varying stages on the green chemistry journeyThe importance of language in communicating sustainabilityExamples of green chemistry solutions - chemical substitution vs functional substitutionReflections on connecting chemical safety with product development and other disciplinesAvoiding tunnel vision and uncovering win-wins - a case with safer solventsWhat is green chemistry? 12 principles, 3 pillarsOn externalities - economic vs moral questionsChemicals in the environment, persistence, transformation products, and mixturesDealing with overwhelm and working within your sphere of influenceHow do green chemists differ from traditional chemists Green Rose Chemistry | Sustainable Chemistry Consultants Beyond Benign Green Rose Chemistry | Training Advancing Safer Alternatives Through Functional Substitution | Environmental Science & Technology 12 Principles of Green Chemistry - American Chemical Society Visit my website for more content and insights www.embarkchemical.com Support the show

In this episode, I speak with Janet Greenwood of TT Environmental.  Janet has been working for many years in chemicals safety and regulatory compliance, and runs a community of regulatory professionals (the Chemical Regulations Self Help Group) here in the UK, and a regular newsletter (Chemicals Coffee Time) with over 4000 subscribers across the globe.  Janet therefore brings an important perspective from regulatory professionals and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) working 'on the ground' to address regulatory compliance within the chemicals industry. Our conversation covers: Janet's background and the origins of her community and newsletterChemicals Coffee Time - during lockdown and beyondJanet's journey to becoming an environmental consultantEnvironmental permits, sustainability and ISO 14001Top-down procedures vs individual vigilanceSafety Data Sheets (SDS), CLP labels, and the need to keep the end user in the focusDealing with the deluge of regulatory changes in the EU and UKThe impact of new substances of very high concern (SVHCs) Reflections on the evolution and broader impacts of REACHThe shifting chemicals marketplace and shared responsibilityViews on environmental challenges, and the concept of stewardship TT Environmental Consultancy Yorkshire | EP, IPPC, REACH, COMAH, ADMS & Environmental modeling The Chemical Regulations Self Help Group – Peer support for REACH, CLP and other chemical regulations Sign up to Chemicals Coffee Time weekly - Chemicals Coffee Time Chemicals Coffee Time Monthly newsletter - LinkedIn Visit my website for more content and insights www.embarkchemical.com Support the show

In this episode I speak with Professor Thomas Hartung.  Prof Hartung is Doerenkamp-Zbinden Chair of Evidence-based Toxicology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Konstanz. He also holds positions as Director of the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) and Field Chief Editor of the academic journal Frontiers in AI, and was the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Peter Singer Prize.  We have a fascinating discussion about the breathtaking developments in AI and animal-free toxicology, and what this means for areas like drug development, chemical regulation, public health, animal testing, research ethics, the exposome, and the future of our society. Our conversation covers: New Approach Methodologies (NAMs): the new automobile?Technological advances in microphysiological systems (MPS) and artificial intelligence (AI)The problems with animal modelsChallenges with validation and regulatory acceptance of NAMsThe importance of education for uptake of NAMsRecent developments on US animal testing policyWhat is happening in the EU? Differences between regions and regulatory systemsHow AI is transforming research, and using it in day-to-day work Implications of AI for quality of scientific publications and risk of biasThe Human Exposome Project: what is it, and how can AI help deliver it?Environmental persistence, the exposome, and the public discourse on chemicals NAMazing: Déjà Vu at the lab bench - Why animal-free science is the new automobile - ScienceDirect NIH stops funding new projects which focus only on animal testing | Cruelty Free International The turning point: April 2025 marks historic shift in US animal testing policy | ALTEX - Alternatives to animal experimentation REACH out-numbered! The future of REACH and animal numbers | ALTEX - Alternatives to animal experimentation A systematic analysis of read-across adaptations in testing proposal evaluations by the European Chemicals Agency | ALTEX - Alternatives to animal experimentation Guidance for Good In Vitro Reporting Standards (GIVReSt) – A draft for stakeholder discussion and background documentation | ALTEX - Alternatives to animal experimentation Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2024 | World Economic Forum Assessing risk of bias in toxicological studies in the era of artificial intelligence | Archives of Toxicology Is regulatory science ready for artificial intelligence? | npj Digital Medicine How AI can deliver the Human Exposome Project | Nature Medicine Stockholm Declaration on Chemistry for the Future Visit my website for more content and insights www.embarkchemical.com Support the show

In this episode I speak with Dr. Blanca Serrano Ramón, Secretary General of the European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals (ECETOC).  ECETOC is a scientific organisation that brings together experts from industry, academia and regulatory bodies to tackle challenges and deliver solutions for chemical safety. Through its range of task forces, events and coordination activities, ECETOC is working across the full spectrum of chemical hazard and risk assessment topics, including endocrine disruption, new approach methodologies (NAMs), biodiversity, microplastics, persistence, and mobility (to name a few). They also develop and maintain a number of advanced risk assessment tools. Our conversation covers What is ECETOC? What do they do?Why it's important to have dialogue between industry, academia and regulatory bodiesFace-to-face vs online interactionsBlanca’s background and journey to ECETOCReflections on working at ECETOCECETOC’s work on polymersThe need to improve awareness and education in regulatory scienceRisk perception, trust in science, and science communicationTwo years on: the debate on conflicts of interestECETOC associate membership Home - ECETOC ECETOC Workshop Report Highlights Advances and Challenges in Biodegradation Testing Guidelines - ECETOC ECETOC task force proposes three-tiered approach to targeted information requirements for polymers - ECETOC Visit my website for more content and insights www.embarkchemical.com Support the show

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 interestsWhat's wrong with the way we do research on chemicals?Endocrine disruption and uncovering population-relevant effectsInsights from 30 years of monitoring data on macroinvertebrate diversity in English riversThe issue of combined sewer overflowsWhy monitoring data is so valuable, and so underappreciatedProblems 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 discourseAdvice 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 Support the show

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 MackayThe concept of environmental persistenceTools for chemicals management and the evolving policy landscapeExposure assessment and risk assessment - the importance of considering exposure in addressing chemical risksHow sustainability is changing the way we look at chemicalsHow science is produced, and communicated in the mediaHow well do our tools fit what is happening in the environment?Biodiversity and the roles of chemical and non-chemical stressorsChanges to policy around persistence - storing up problems for the future?Why biodegradability is important for consumer-facing sectorsPersistence in the discussion on product circularity and innovationWhat's at stake? Balancing costs to societyThe need for multidisciplinary expertise and the role of industryRecorded 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 Support the show

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); andPersistent, 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 Support the show

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 Group Apologies 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 & Technology Pesticides 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 Guardian Levels and Temporal Trends of Trifluoroacetate (TFA) in Archived Plants: Evidence for Increasing Emissions of Gaseous TFA Precursors over the Last Decades | Environmental Science & Technology Letters Pollution is Colonialism - book by Max Liboiron (2021) SETAC Persistence Science Interest Group Webinar recording: Addressing Extreme Persistence – Identification, Behavior and Management of “Forever Chemicals” Beyond PFAS Upcoming webinar: How to increase understanding of microbial inocula in biodegradation testing?  SETAC Europe 35th Annual Meeting In Memoriam: John Parsons  Themed collection: Transformation Products and Mixtures – Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts Visit my website for more content and insights ww Support the show

Ahead of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) annual European conference in Vienna (11-15th May), I caught up with Sabine Apitz, SETAC Europe President and Editor-in-Chief of the academic journal Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management (IEAM).  Sabine and I had a fascinating discussion about environmental science, the scientific community, and the emergence and application of scientific knowledge. We discussed some of the pressing issues and challenges facing the SETAC community, and society at large. Sabine also shared some of what we could look forward to at the upcoming Vienna conference and the 9th SETAC World Congress (and first to be held in Africa) later this year.  Our conversation covers:  Sabine’s background and career journeyThe emergence and application of scientific knowledgeUsing tools and models to inform environmental policy, and appreciating their limitationsSabine’s experience working as an independent consultantThe role of scientists from different backgrounds in science and policy discussionsPublic representation at SETAC and in broader environmental discourseReflections on the current political environment for science and society at largeDealing with complexity in trying to understand ecosystemsSabine’s own experience with podcastingAn unexpected finding from an investigation into hygiene productsUpcoming SETAC events – Vienna and Johannesburg  This is a great one for anyone interested in learning more about SETAC, the organisation that brings together scientists from across disciplines to study the issue of chemicals in the environment and to inform science-based environmental decisions.  Links from the discussion: SETAC website: SETAC Vienna conference: SETAC Europe 35th Annual Meeting World Congress event: SETAC 9th World Congress IEAM academic journal: Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management | Oxford Academic Sabine's editorial (published in 2017): Science, antiscience, and environmental decision making: A call to action | Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management | Oxford Academic (co-authors: Thomas Backhaus, Peter M Chapman, Wayne Landis, Glenn Suter) Sabine's podcast: Join the Dots | jointhedots (co-hosts: Ece Ozdemiroglu and Jill Duggan) Visit my website for more content and insights www.embarkchemical.com Support the show