Pollution scientist talks to freshwater ecologist who warned of Isle of Man toxic silt dumps

Despite achieving Unesco biosphere status on the basis of its marine reserves, hazardous chemical contaminants pollute the seas around the Isle of Man.

Patrick Byrne, Professor of Water Science, Liverpool John Moores University • conversation
April 22, 2025 ~20 min

Lobbying in ‘forever chemicals’ industry is rife across Europe – the inside story of our investigation

The scale of the chemical industry’s lobbying campaign and clean-up costs for PFAS have been revealed by a new collaboration of scientists and journalists.

Gary Fooks, Professor in Criminology, University of Bristol • conversation
Jan. 21, 2025 ~10 min


Is it possible to have an eco-friendly firework display?

Should we use less-polluting and silent fireworks, drones and laser light shows to replace traditional displays? Research shows there is still an environmental cost.

Ria Devereux, Postdoctoral Research Assistant, Sustainability Research Institute, University of East London • conversation
Dec. 31, 2024 ~7 min

As floodwaters rise, toxic contaminants released from old landfills pose more of a hazard to nature and to us

As floods get more severe and more frequent as a result of climate change, the risk of toxic pollutants being released from old landfills rises.

Kate Spencer, Professor of Environmental Geochemistry, Queen Mary University of London • conversation
Dec. 9, 2024 ~8 min

New technologies could help destroy persistent ‘forever chemicals’

Scientists and engineers are developing new ways to destroy PFAS efficiently and sustainably.

Patrick Sears, Senior Lecturer in Chemistry and Forensic Analysis, University of Surrey • conversation
Oct. 11, 2024 ~7 min

Oil pollution in North Sea is ‘grossly underestimated’, suggests new report

Oil and gas companies operating in the North Sea are regularly breaching legal limits and releasing too much polluted wastewater, a new report claims.

Rosie Williams, Postdoctoral Researcher, Toxicology, Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London • conversation
Sept. 26, 2024 ~7 min

A toxic chemical was blamed for killing thousands of Teesside crabs – but our study explains why pyridine wasn’t the culprit

Scientists who took part in an independent inquiry that refuted the ‘pyridine hypothesis’ faced widespread criticism and distrust from politicians and the media

Mark Fizsimons, Professor of Environmental Chemistry, University of Plymouth • conversation
Sept. 17, 2024 ~10 min

A toxic chemical was blamed for killing thousands of Teeside crabs – but our study explains why pyridine wasn’t the culprit

Scientists who took part in an independent inquiry that refuted the ‘pyridine hypothesis’ faced widespread criticism and distrust from politicians and the media

Mark Fizsimons, Professor of Environmental Chemistry, University of Plymouth • conversation
Sept. 17, 2024 ~10 min


A toxic chemical was blamed for killing thousands of Teeside crabs – but our latest study explains why pyridine wasn’t to blame

Scientists who took part in an independent inquiry that refuted the ‘pyridine hypothesis’ faced widespread criticism and distrust from politicians and the media

Mark Fizsimons, Professor of Environmental Chemistry, University of Plymouth • conversation
Sept. 17, 2024 ~10 min

PCBs: these toxic pollutants were banned decades ago but still pose a huge threat

Due to their persistence and toxicity, strict regulation of PCBs should continue to be a top priority.

Andrew Sweetman, Reader of Environmental Chemistry, Lancaster University • conversation
Sept. 3, 2024 ~7 min

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