Sam Harrison

We’ve launched! 🎉 The National Research Organisations (NRO) Group unites 35 UK research organisations to provide a unified and authoritative perspective on science, policy, and research investment. Learn more: nrogroup.org #MakingResearchMatter #NROGroup

We're proud to be part of the National Research Organisations (NRO) Group @nro-group.bsky.social, uniting 35 UK research agencies in #MakingResearchMatter.

This partnership will help ensure science-based insight benefits people, communities and the economy.

Learn more: nrogroup.org

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BASF Moves Away from PFAS Formulations, while Highlighting Ongoing Industrial Needs.

What's next for PFAS as another chemical giant announces the removal of PFAS from its products?

www.bluefrogscientific.com/c...

#PFAS #BASF #3M #Fluoropolymers #PFASAlternatives #PFASRegulation

🔮 We finish by offering perspectives on what the next generation of pharmaceutical exposure models should address to ensure they continue their contribution to environmental protection.

💻 We cover all types of modelling, from box-type fugacity models to fully spatiotemporal predictions, and from computational chemistry descriptions to machine learning and AI tools.

Advances and challenges in modelling the environmental fate and exposure of pharmaceuticals: a comprehensive review Pharmaceutical contamination in the environment poses a global concern, raising questions about potential implications for both ecology and human health. Unravelling the fate and exposure of these con...

📃 Exposure models are essential for evaluating the potential environmental impacts caused by #pharmaceuticals. In this new paper, we review models used to predict the environmental fate and exposure of pharmaceuticals.

pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

@sloftsenvchem.bsky.social
@ukceh.bsky.social

This experiments used ISO 17556, which aims to approximate real world conditions. Future work should focus on validating this predictions in real world settings.

@ukceh.bsky.social

Graph showing the mass fraction of initial mass (y axis) over time (x axis). The mass fraction is either in particulate classes (microplastics), dissolved, or CO2 (mineralised). The mass fraction starts as entirely in particulate classes, before rapidly transferring to dissolved and then quick onwards to CO2. After 100 days, approx 25% of the mass is mineralised, and by 400 days, the particle and dissolved fractions cannot be seen on the graph and CO2 makes up >99% of the mass.

Using the open source FRAGMENT-MNP model (fragmentmnp.ceh.ac.uk), we predict that particle counts will fall below 1 particle/g soil after 600-700 days. Experiments showed that more than 90% of polymer carbon was mineralised within 270 days.

Soil-biodegradable mulch film: Distinguishing between persistent microplastics and fragments released from certified soil-biodegradable products Soil-biodegradable mulch films offer a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics in agriculture, especially where recollection or recycling are…

A criticism often levelled at #biodegradable plastics is that their degradation produces persistent #microplastics. In this new publication, we used a mixture of experimental and modelling studies to show fragmentation into microplastics is a transient phase.

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.

They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1

Doesn't it say it all that the most positive outcomes of #COP30 - the roadmaps for deforestation and fossil fuel transition - are the ones achieved without consensus? #ConsensusKillsAmbition

📢 Calling environmental modellers! 📢

I'm excited to be chairing two sessions at the @iemss.org Congress, Dublin next July:
B7: Advances in exposure modelling
D4: Reimagining environmental modelling: Designing for flexibility, agility, and change

conference.iemss.org/streams/

There will be no substantive negotiations during this session, leaving the prospect for a Global Plastics Treaty in a state of limbo, to say the least. Presumably any news of an INC-5.4 will come after the new Chair has been elected.

Third Part of the Fifth Session UNEP is the global champion for the environment with programmes focusing on sustainable development, climate, biodiversity and more.

There is a date for #INC-5.3! But, it is only for the "election of officers including for the position of Chair". It will take place in Geneva on 7 February, immediatedly after the first session of the ISP-CWP.

www.unep.org/inc-plastic-...

#GlobalPlasticsTreaty #PlasticsTreaty #PlasticTreaty

Farming Futures: comparing regenerative and conventional practices on soil, chemical use, and ecosystems in a changing climate at UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology - Lancaster on FindAPhD.com PhD Project - Farming Futures: comparing regenerative and conventional practices on soil, chemical use, and ecosystems in a changing climate at UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology - Lancaster, listed ...

📢 PhD opportunity! 📢

Are you interested in studying how different farming practices influence soils, including chemical levels and bioavailability, functional soil outcomes and other ecosystem endpoints? Check out this ECOSOLUTIONS PhD!

@ukceh.bsky.social

www.findaphd.com/phds/project...

Chemical linked to low sperm count, obesity and cancer found in dummies, tests find BPA, a synthetic chemical used in production of plastics, found in baby products made by three big European brands

BPA free doesn't always mean BPA free! Does anyone have a link to the actual study? I want to know whether they tested for other bisphenols.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

UN plastics treaty chair to step down with process in turmoil Exclusive: Luis Vayas Valdivieso says he is quitting for personal and professional reasons after reports of pressure behind the scenes

The Chair of the #GlobalPlasticsTreaty negotiations, Luis Vayas Valdivieso, is stepping down, for personal and professional reasons.

#INC5.2 #INC5 #PlasticsTreaty

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Photo of a large pile of receipts

I hate doing expenses claims...

YouTube video by Center for International Environmental Law Plastics Treaty - What happened? What's next?

Plastics Treaty — What happened? What's next?
Negotiations collapsed in Geneva. Disappointing, yes. Defeat? Certainly not.
📽️ Watch: What happened, what's next — and why we still have hope! #PlasticsTreaty #INC52 youtu.be/-HgqLVANa78

"Because of the complexity and number of chemicals to assess and the enormous variability of their uses, the regulatory system is overwhelmed and not sufficiently protective ... chemical pollution has become a serious global issue."

www.annualreviews.org/content/jour...

Left to right: Richard Cross, Sam Harrison, Heidrun Feuchtmayr, M. Glória Pereira observing the negotiations

Observers listening to plastics treaty negotiations

🌍 A UKCEH team were observers at the latest UN talks on a global treaty to end plastic pollution.

Negotiations ended without consensus after 2 intense weeks, but there are glimmers of hope

🔗 tinyurl.com/mrxmfm87

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@samharrison.science @richardkcross.bsky.social @feuchtmayr.bsky.social #INC5

Geneva Plastics Treaty Talks End in Abject Failure - Center for International Environmental Law Plastics treaty talks collapse at the end of the resumed fifth session of the negotiations (INC-5.2).

The #PlasticsTreaty talks have ended without a treaty. To call this process a failure is an understatement. The world doesn't need more plastic. People know it, doctors know it, markets know it. We must now restart — not repeat.
👉 Read our statement: bit.ly/4fIWhCC

As well as expressing their gratitude to the Chair, many countries said that they thought progress had been made in Geneva and could form the basis for future negotiations. Will there be an INC-5.3?

There will be no #GlobalPlasticsTreaty from #INC5.2. The Chair informed us at just after 6am this morning that, despite best efforts and a new revised Chair's text overnight, consensus could not be reached.

#PlasticsTreaty

It is 5.30am in Geneva and the final #INC5.2 plenary is scheduled to resume.

The new revised Chair's text is many steps from being able to fully end plastic pollution, but it is a few steps in the right direction. Now we find out how countries will react.

#PlasticsTreaty #GlobalPlasticsTreaty

New revised Chair's text. Chemicals of concern are now explicitly mentioned, and majority voting is possible at COPs where consensus cannot be reached. But still no article on sustainable production and consumption.

#PlasticsTreaty #GlobalPlasticsTreaty #INC5.2

resolutions.unep.org/incres/uploa...

#INC5.2 final plenary started at 11.30pm and almost immediately adjourned until Friday, at a time to be announced. Informal negotiations still ongoing with a Heads of Delegation meeting starting at 2am.

#PlasticsTreaty #GlobalPlasticsTreaty

A group of people sat outside a large building with "Nations Unies" written on it.

Waiting for the final plenary of #INC5.2. Will it be this side of midnight?!

#GlobalPlasticsTreaty #PlasticsTreaty

A crowd watching a band perform on the shores of a lake, with the sun rising behind

Les Aubes - a series of free concerts every morning during summer from 6-7am on Bains des Pâquis. Completely free and the best bit is you can watch whilst enjoying your morning swim!

#INC5.2 #PlasticsTreaty #GlobalPlasticsTreaty

I escaped from the madness of #INC5.2 and Geneva with a day trip across the border to the Chamonix valley today. The (literal) high point of my walk was Lac de la Perseverance (photo 3), which seems a very suitably named lake to visit right now!

#GlobalPlasticsTreaty #PlasticsTreaty